Flash Fiction - He Left
A bit of a change of subject matter and style this week. Something more grown up. I've pulled together something crime/thriller in less than 400 words.
Blue suit, red tie, brown shoes. Very smart, very handsome.
You got further than I thought, she said.
He nods and looks back along the coast.
The bay curves around towards a rocky outcrop, upon which sits an old country house. It’s about six miles away. Hard running in the sand. Especially when you’re downing a bottle of vodka.
What made you change your mind, she asks.
Small things, he replies.
A thousand paper cuts.
He nods.
Do you want me to go back? He is crying.
It’s not my choice, she says.
I’m scared.
Of commitment?
Of you.
He looks out at the ocean, the waves reflecting the sunset. It all seems so serene, so calm.
It is beautiful here, she says.
He glances at her.
I thought I could handle you, he says. Handle what you are.
But you can’t.
Do you blame me?
Your life could be beautiful.
It started as a bit of fun, he says.
Everything does.
But you know.
I know, she says.
I’ll leave her.
Not that. I know about the other thing.
He considers running again. But her bodyguard is standing behind her, leaning against the car. Behind that car is another one, and above his head is a drone. The sea is the only place he could run and not have them follow.
You’ll never get the money back if you kill me.
I won’t get my money back.
The sun disappears behind the horizon. The night overtakes them. In the distance, the party lights appear from the old house. Blues and reds and greens flash across the sky.
I did it for all of us, he says.
Now you’re lying to me too, she says. She reaches into her handbag as, along the coast, the bride-that-never-was takes a breath from the party. Ever since he left she’d been drinking. Her head was spinning and the temperature inside was too much.
She inhales, letting the cool night air flood into her lungs.
As she stares along the coast, she sees a small flash of light. Like a falling star on the distant beach.
Then a hand on her shoulder. One of her bridesmaids guides her back into the room.
A drink is placed in her hand.
She wonders where her mother has got to. Not like her to miss a party.
