Dead Birds Everywhere (a flash fiction story)
“Dead Birds Everywhere”
Kyle turned suddenly at what sounded like the fluttering of a thousand wings. The solid blow to his forehead sent him reeling backwards. His eyes flickered, questioningly, but it was momentary as darkness descended over him.
He woke up, not knowing how much time had passed, minutes, hours, days. He was sitting up, back propped against a wall. It felt cool without being cold, and the ground under him was damp. Try as he might he couldn’t move his arms or legs as they were bound tightly and the gag over his mouth suppressed any attempt to yell his displeasure at his current circumstance.
Throbbing pain racked each turn of his head and his eyes were still trying to focus as he attempted to survey his surroundings.
The sun had begun to rise. A ray of light peeked through a small solitary window high on the eastern wall and slowly spread over the far end of the room in which Kyle found himself. It appeared to be a large but filthy bathroom or restroom.
Kyle began to panic, “How did I get here…why…who?” He began trying to free himself, struggling to loosen the ropes binding his arms behind his back, but they held tight and he only managed to topple over onto his side and that was less than ideal. Managing to eventually push himself again into an upright position Kyle looked to where the morning light had now spread. There were a couple of toilet cubicles and on the door of one he could make out writing in bold letters…”DEAD BIRDS EVERYWHERE”…
“What the hell did that mean?” he asked himself but didn’t expect or get an answer. The paint…or was it blood… ran from the words and down the door in rivulets.
Suddenly he felt a stabbing pain in his neck as something sharp was pressed against it and the gag simultaneously ripped from his mouth. He began to scream as the dark silhouette leaned over him and in a deep calm voice asked, “What did you do with the feathers?”
by John Hansen © 2015
~~~~ The Story Continues ~~~~
(if you like stories to have a true ending and this one left you with too many questions, check out Chris Mills’ wonderful continuation of the story. I thank Chris for his collaboration and look forward to doing it again)
Corvidae Corvus, Dead Birds Everywhere
The Original Challenge
Jennifer Arnett originally issued this challenge on HubPages: “Would you like to participate in a short story challenge?”
This short piece of flash fiction “Dead Birds Everywhere” was my response. I found this a very interesting experience in a genre I had only recently begun experimenting with. Flash Fiction does lend itself to doing away with unnecessary words and side stories. Thank you for reading.
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My gosh, so tense and mysterious, John. And the feathers – what did you do with the feathers? Interesting and intriguing way to end part one. I enjoyed reading this well-written story. On to part two. What a fun idea, this challenge.
Thank you, Phyllis. Glad you felt the mystery and intrigue. Part two will surprise you too.
Enjoyed it much, John. And Chris did a great job as the follow-up. Hope to see more of this in the future!
Indeed this left me tense and begging for more. I need to know “what had been done with those feathers” so of course I will read on. The last mystery as well as movie had me ducking in my seat, remembering “The Birds” an Alfred Hitchcock thriller from years back. I remember leaving the theater ducking. So now John, you have peeked my interest, I’m flying over to Chapter Two for a resounding conclusion to the whereabouts of those feathers. Well done John.
Great work John, very much enjoyed and the continuation with Chris was just as compelling. Excellent drama and intrigue.
Glad you enjoyed this piece of flash fiction, Tony. I also loved Chris’s twist on the story and it surprised me as well.
What a great surprise and idea! Good job here to make me want to get to the bottom of the mystery and so I am off to find out!
Thanks for the great comment, Jackie. The surprises keep coming. 🙂
I thoroughly enjoyed this John and can’t wait to get to the bottom of the mystery either. I have posted an application to join you all on here and hope to hear from you soon
Thank you for the kind comment, Eddy.Chris Mills had written a follow up chapter to the story but he has left the site so I am not sure if his part of the story is still here. Glad to hear that you have applied to join. You should get approval within the next two days.