Sunday 31 October 2010

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, FOLKS... fancy some topical flash?

Well, not much reading or writing done tonight, as I've been up 'n' down answering the door and I'm all out of treats. That'll teach me to stick a pumpkin in me front window, eh? Whatever happened to the old Halloween songs...? Now the kids just grab a handful 'n' do one - maybe that's the 'trick' part? And some of them were bigger than me, so I'm not arguing!

Anyway, my kids love dressing up and I hope those of you with - or without - children have a had a good time. Why not round it off with some topical crime fiction? Check out a tasty Halloween treat by Sean Patrick Reardon over at Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers, or my resurrected flash below...


Happy Halloween, Officer

‘The target is taking a left, left, onto Market Street. Temporary loss…’

‘Stick with him, John. I’m ten metres behind. Louey’s in position opposite.’

‘Okay, Morse. Got eyeball again. He’s speeding up. Right, right, down Back Piccadilly. Temporary loss…’

‘Let’s just nail the scumbag. With blood on his jacket, he’s obviously bang at it,’ said Louey, thinking of the pending paperwork and the fact he should’ve been taking the kids to a Halloween party. Fat chance.

‘Be patient, Louey. Wait…eyeball again. He’s just turned left, left, into an alleyway. And, watch it, it’s dark down here.’

‘Right behind you, John,’ said Morse.

Louey shuddered in the meagre moonlight as the night wafted its chill down Back Piccadilly.

John’s voice, a whisper now. ‘Left, left, into the alleyway. Even darker now…shit!’

The scream halted Louey. ‘John? You okay?’ Adrenaline flooded his veins, his heart-rate doubling.

Morse’s misshapen figure did a swift left into the alleyway.

‘What the fuck? No…pleeease…’ crackled through his earpiece.

Louey withdrew his baton and torch then sprinted.

Torchlight revealed Morse on the floor, a shadowy shape stooped over him. Louey raised his baton.

A squelchy noise made him lift the beam higher. He froze on seeing the target’s blood-swilled face and manic smile - John pinned up against the wall, his neck gaping dark crimson.

Shuffling behind. Louey pivoted, shined the beam.

Bloody fangs grinned at him. His last thought was of his kids.

‘Happy Halloween, Officer.’


Got a taste for it...? Then pop over to Erin Cole's blog and sample her fantastic 13 Days of Horror, but feel free to comment before you go.

9 comments:

Alan Griffiths said...

Very nicely done, Col. Think I recognise this from last year? Still good to read it again though.

Hope all your writing projects are going well and also hope we hear good news soon on your - soon to be published - novel.

Happy Halloween, mate.

Sean Patrick Reardon said...

First time reading it for me. Loved the fast pace, and the dialog was exellent. Might "Morse" be a nod to my beloved Inpector Morse? Thanks for the mention Col, I'm more than honored. Happy Halloween to you and your family!

Paul D Brazill said...

Yep, a good un.

Unknown said...

Cheers, Al. Hope yer right, bud!

Sean, thanks - your story's a cracker.

Paul - ta.

David Barber said...

Happy Halloween, bud.

Loved your story 1st time round and it's well worth a 2nd read. Popping over to TKnC now.

Speak soon, mate.

Unknown said...

Cheers, Dave.
Loved your Halloween story too, but had trouble leaving a comment. I've just emailed yer, mate.

Annie (Lady M) x said...

Yeh, that was pretty good. It made me want to know what happened before and after........ you tease!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

LOL, Annie.
I sometimes flirt with horror, and this was written for Halloween last year. These characters may yet make another appearance, who knows? That me being a 'tease' again? :)
Thanks for commenting.