Scream
FlashNano 2019, Day 4
The door opens and closes exactly in three seconds and a half. It’s the time the screams can be heard outside. But “outside” is really the basement, and it’s also soundproofed. Sometimes I’ve considered some different arrangement: some disposition so each guest could, briefly, hear the others. That would be sublime. But alas, I cannot really think of how to do it without resorting to electronics, and I don’t want that. And so, I have to make do with enjoying the scenes by myself, and then three seconds and a half of wishful thinking. Ah, it’s a small price to pay.
The process is tedious, but necessary. Shoe covers and overall go first, folded inside out, and then into the oven. Gloves are last. Flames dance happily for a second, and then everything is gone. Mask off. Visual check, fine. One can never be too careful: blood is a bitch. I recall the time I ruined my favourite shirt. Guests those days didn’t know how to behave.
Guests.
Well, that makes me think of one: the newest guest. I glance at her door.
I check the time.
It’s early.
Shall I indulge?
A split decision. Yes.
On goes the mask again. Then a new pack of gloves: I put them on, grab a new bag from the locker, rip it open. I unfurl the overall and the shoe covers, don them. Visual check. Minor adjustments.
I reach for her door, unlock it, open it.
Screams already.
Oh yes, baby. Scream for me.
This is my flash for Day 4 of FlashNano 2019, (idea by Nancy Stohlman). The prompt for today was “Write a story with an abrupt ending.” Today I decided to take the horror way. And to be honest, the intended ending, though still abrupt, was going to be different. But I wrote that last sentence and it just clicked.
