The boys are still partying at Cathy and Dave's reception (and I've been editing all week) so I thought I'd trot out the first #fridayflash I posted on this blog.
The blood still dripped from the windowsill. Soon the shadows would obscure it completely. No one would be the wiser then. The deed would be lost, not to be discovered until morning. By then, he would have his alibi ready, no longer thinking about the satisfaction that came from rending flesh, nor the pleasure derived from hearing the pop and crunch of bones.
Indeed, by morning he might not even remember this night. That was his way, after all. The morning light would hit his face, showing an innocent composure. But tonight…tonight he still recalled everything that had transpired.
It wasn’t his fault, not really anyway. They shouldn’t have led him to it, shouldn’t have given him the opening to such temptation. They knew what acts he was capable of, but chose to ignore his inner nature, believing that he had been rehabilitated by the docile life forced upon him. In the morning they would discover the truth. This might be his last night of freedom.
He saw the moon rise now. The light spilled across the windowsill, hitting the blood stains. The dark blotches stood out on the carpet to his eyes, but they wouldn’t be noticeable to anyone else…not until daybreak anyway.
What should he do with his last night of freedom? Run? Look for more trouble? No, he finally decided. He was too weary for that. He would just sleep and wait for the morning. Whatever accusations came his way wouldn’t really belong to him anyway. They knew his nature. It was their fault. They shouldn’t have left the damn bird sitting on the windowsill in the first place. What did they expect a cat to do?
©2009 Laura Eno
First of all, could you please do something about Death and Chronos? They're fighting with Aunt Edna and Dave's mom, Alice – they were playing euchre and apparently Alice cheated Death and Chronos got sulky and said he didn't have time for crap like this and the next thing I knew they were pitching peanuts at each other and Lucien was wailing like a banshee because some of Death's spare parts wound up in the punch. They're outta control!
ReplyDeleteAs for your story, I never would have known if you hadn't told me that this was your first #fridayflash. Mature, well written, quirky, nice twist at the end and with plenty of the famous Laura Eno horror sprinkled over the whole poultry enchilada.
And.... I"ve never been the first to comment here before.. well, maybe, but it is a rare opportunity.
I liked this, had a real ominous feel to it and a great unexpected twist at the end. Very well done.
ReplyDeleteO.M.G - I can not decide wether I'm laughing because of your flash or Cathy's comment ! You guys are hilarious. This was a terrific first story. I like the suspenseful beginning and the contrast with the light ending when you find out it was the cat. Good stuff.
ReplyDeleteWell worth trotting out. Darn cats. My pups would never act like that....
ReplyDeleteCathy - I'm really sorry but I have no control over those guys. Besides, you should have read the fine print in the contract. ;)
ReplyDeleteJason - Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Genevieve - Thank you! And yes, Cathy does tend to enliven the party with her comments, doesn't she?
Tim - Thanks! Cats do live by their own rules.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy a good cat story. Even when devious, cats are so cute.
ReplyDeleteI love this story. Yep that's a cat alright, they should have known better.
ReplyDeleteI hope Cathy's Aunt and Mother-in-law are okay. It really hard for mortals to keep up this parting pair. As it is they wore my Muses out they have been sleeping most of the week.
The combination of your forward and Cathy's complaint had me smiling even when the blood on the windowsill started to dry. Nice work rooting your tale to that little slice of a house.
ReplyDeleteSmiles all around... So cool you rolled out the inaugural piece...
ReplyDeleteNice to see that first one! It always comes in handy in a pinch!
ReplyDeleteWow, your first Flash?! It was a pleasure to read it. You've certainly captured the cat's psyche perfectly. I suspect if my cat ever got out there'd be a trail of feathery destruction for miles around!
ReplyDeleteThis was the first flash on this blog but I had another blog for a month or so before this, so this story is actually my 3rd or 4th fridayflash. Sorry for the confusion!
ReplyDeleteDavid - Yes, cats are very devious!
ReplyDeletePamela Jo - I hope your muses wake up soon!
John - Maybe Cathy and I should take our show on the road. :)
Ant - I'm glad you liked it!
Carrie - Yes, old stories do come in handy. :)
Sam - Your cat wears his Christmas tree camouflage well too!
Thanks for reading!
Laura -
ReplyDeleteI love it. Works so well... and the cat's attitude is just enough that I don't feel he/she did anything wrong! :)
Jim
Wonderful story. I have to say, though, I've never seen a remorseful cat. They seem to just lick their paws as if to say, get over it. I did love the story. I knew something was coming, but I couldn't figure it out.
ReplyDeleteSo glad I had the chance to read your very first flash piece here. Yes, you have always been a wonderful flasher!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the little cat. What do people expect him to do, what with that tasty morsel sitting so near. :)
Yup. That's a cat. Bringing fresh presents to its caretakers.
ReplyDeleteIf this is you're first, I'm very impressed.
I love it!
ReplyDeleteOh my, that was disturbingly adorable.
ReplyDeleteJim - Cats never do anything wrong. ;)
ReplyDeleteHelen - Thanks! Yes, cats say 'get over it' a lot!
Marisa - Hm...I'm a wonderful flasher...LOL! Thank you.
The Four Part Land - That's why I don't let my cats out. I don't want any 'presents.'
Carol - Thank you!
Catherine - I like that combination...disturbingly adorable. :D
You certainly have the cat's voice down. It was a very creepy first read, and a pretty funny second read. Excellent story. Love your Chronos and Death stories, but I'm also always excited when you have a stand alone horror tale.
ReplyDeleteAw, sweet kitty. I think my boy would run in fear from a bird. :)
ReplyDeleteLove this story. Very insightful feline there. I thought werewolf right up to the end. Great writing!
I loved it! The twist was fantastic.
ReplyDeleteOh, I remember this. Loved it then, love it now.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right, cats will do what cats will do.
Excellent flow and the reveal is perfect. It re-casts the entire story.
Really well done.
This is such a hoot. And here's hoping Death and Chronos survive the festivities!
ReplyDeleteEric - Thanks! Some weeks I'm torn between wanting to write horror or the Immortals.
ReplyDeleteGracie - I'm glad I could fool you!
misshallelujahwrites - Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Kevin - Yes, you're one of about 5 people who've seen it before. ;) I'm glad it was still good the second time around.
Lou - I'm hoping they survive too!
This so reminded me of a cat I used to have. His name was Roscoe, and he lived to hunt. Not only birds, but moles.
ReplyDeleteOne day, I walked outside to find three mole corpses, neatly lined up at the end of the stairs to the porch, where I could not miss them. The were intact except for the fact they had been scalped. I swear.
He just sat on the porch railing and groomed himself.
I love cats. :) Great story, Laura!
As if your cats could actually catch anything, Mom. They're speed bumps!
ReplyDeleteI still love 'em though. :)
Netta - Ewww...what a nice present! LOL!
ReplyDeleteYvonne - Only Cookie is a speed bump. Chloe, even though her elevator doesn't reach the top, could catch anything. :)
I remember this. Still cool. Like going back in time.
ReplyDeleteIt's great reading your first flash Laura! Of course there had to be a twist, and some disturbing stuff that makes us smile or chuckle in the end, heh.
ReplyDeleteThanks for digging it up!
You faked me out! I missed this one - nice to see it.
ReplyDeleteDan - You're one of the 5 people who read it before! Glad you still enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteMari - Thanks! Yes, it must have disturbing stuff. ;)
Mark - Ah! I faked you out. Cool!
This was all kinds of crazy with Cathy's contribution, your answer and blood dripping on windowsills. Fabulous. Bring out more old tales for those of us who've just discovered #fridayflash..:)
ReplyDeleteYou had me going with this one, Laura. I'm a sporadic visitor these days, so I got a shock when I found you'd gone all green! Likey likey a lot!
ReplyDelete(And I hope the boys are behaving themselves for Cathy - today's the big day!)
L'Aussie - Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it and Cathy's always good for a laugh. :)
ReplyDeleteLily - Thanks! I love the greenery. I don't think the boys are behaving one bit...Cathy forgot to read the fine print on Lucien's contract. ;)
I like who this works perfectly from the viewpoint of a rehabilitated serial killer or a cat. Excellent story.
ReplyDeleteRachel - Thanks! That's exactly what I was going for. :)
ReplyDeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteSharde
Whoa, didn't see the cat conclusion coming. Thanks for letting me into the evil thoughts of the household cat, Laura!
ReplyDeleteSharde - Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteAlan - And I have three evil minds here in my house. They give me plenty of ideas. ;)
I love it! I love cats and yes we can't blame them for being what they are! :)
ReplyDeleteOh this is just fantastic! I was expecting a werewolf, or some kind of killer, but that ending...oh it's just too perfect!
ReplyDeleteA.S. - And cats will never apologize either. :) Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteIcy - Thank you! I take that as high praise, coming from an excellent writer such as yourself!
Oh this was brilliant! Can't help but love cats, and who they are.
ReplyDeleteChecked in today and hoped there would be another adventure of Death, Cronos, and company. Maybe tomorrow. I'll try back. These guys are great!
ReplyDeleteStephen Tremp
I thought this was a werewolf tale when I first started reading...
ReplyDeleteNice twist.
And as the cat said, they shouldn;t have left the bird there in the first place
Crystal - Thank you! Yes, cats are fun to write about.
ReplyDeleteStephen - I'll tell the boys you you stopped by! They only show up once a week for fridayflash.
Steve - Cats can do no wrong. ;) Thanks for stopping by!
Grisly buildup with a great twist!
ReplyDeleteHarry - Thank you! I appreciate you stopping by.
ReplyDeleteOh I really love this! Brilliant twist at the end.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rebecca!
ReplyDeleteLoved the twist at the end! I had been expecting a werewolf, too. Wow, what a great first flash!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melissa!
ReplyDeleteWow, great twist at the end! I was waiting for it to come but I had no idea what it would be.
ReplyDeleteT.S. - Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI believe in recyling and I'm glad you did, because I don't remember this and I LOVE it! Great twist at the end, did NOT see it coming. Peace...
ReplyDeleteAh, very nice. And I've just been copying pictures of a huntress cat from the camera onto my computer.
ReplyDeleteLinda - Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteSheila - Timely for you then. ;) Cats are fascinating!