The Monster in the Back Room (flash fiction)

Furry Creature Concept by PascalR

The Monster in the Back Room

There was a knock on my door. I opened the door to find Natalie standing there. I didn’t like her very much. She always did her best to belittle me to make feel like I was completely useless and a lost cause. Still, I had invited her to come over.

“Hi Natalie.” I said with as much enthusiasm I could muster.

“Hi Jane.” she said smiling. “I don’t think I’ve ever been to your home before. I didn’t realise it was so small, but I guess it suits you to live somewhere so simple and plain.” I smiled at back at her.

“Come in.” I said warmly. She followed while looking around for any flaw or imperfection she could comment on later. I led her to the living room. We both sat down on chairs facing each other. She looked out the window to the back garden.

“I see you’ve tried to do some gardening. I guess there’s not much you can do with that small space, not like my place where there’s so much room.”

“Yeah I just let it grow.” I admitted. She nodded her head as though I was admitting I was a complete failure.

“I remember you telling me you lived with a monster. So, have you broken up with them yet?” She asked. “Relationships can be so difficult. I’m lucky really, I’ve been happily married for years now.”

“The monster’s not my partner. I live with an actual monster, you know, large and furry with claws and sharp teeth.” I explained. Natalie looked at me like I had gone crazy.

“I see.” She said slowly. “Are you being serious?”

“Totally.”

“And is the monster here now?”

“They live in the back room.”

“So you’re not afraid of this monster eating you?” She asked.

“Nah, we have an agreement.” I replied.

“I see.” She said disbelievingly while staring at me in case I made a sudden movement in her direction.

“Coffee?” I asked.

“That would be nice.” She replied with a forced smile.

I went to the kitchen to grind some coffee, while there, I suddenly heard screaming come from the living room. As long as I brought the monster something to eat occasionally then we were cool and they let me live here. It was the monster’s house after all…

Joanne Fisher

This was written with the prompt grind provided by Greg’s Five Word Weekly Challenge (2305).

Please support this blog – Ko-fi 🙂

©️2023 Joanne Fisher

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Anticipation (flash fiction)

Anticipation

“Do we have any plans tonight?” Sylvia asked.

“No.” Katherine replied. The two of them lay in bed together. Sylvia rested her head on Katherine’s shoulder.

“Well it’s dark outside now. We could go on a hunt.” Sylvia suggested.

“We don’t need to. We’ve got plenty of blood in the fridge.” Katherine told her.

“I know, but it’s not the same, you know, like extracting it directly from someone’s warm body.” Katherine raised her eyebrows at Sylvia’s words.

“You prefer it directly from its source then?”

“Well, it’s not just that. It’s the hunt I like. The anticipation as you hunt down your quarry and feel their fear while they run away from you in terror. Their hearts rapidly beating. And once you have them, feeling their lifeforce ebb away as you slowly drain them.” Sylvia said.

“You’re quite the monster aren’t you?” Katherine remarked.

“You’re a monster too.” Sylvia reminded her.

“Yes, but not in the same way.” Katherine replied.

Joanne Fisher

This was written with the prompt anticipation provided by Greg’s Five Word Weekly Challenge (2249).

Please support this blog – Ko-fi 🙂

©️2022 Joanne Fisher

Reckoning, part five (Day 5, 5 Word Weekly Challenge)

Art by Santeri Soininen

Reckoning

5

The Princess was in front leading the way, much to her Captain’s misgivings. When the defenders saw the size of the Princess’s army, most of the conscripted forces ran away or surrendered, while the King’s soldiers fought on, but were quickly overcome.

Once the Princess’s army took the capital there was a search for her uncle, but he seemed to have disappeared, along with all the money in the Royal Treasury. Later in the day the Princess’s knights that had been sent off the night before reappeared with her uncle as prisoner, as well as carts full of gold coins and other treasures.The Kingdom rejoiced as her uncle was deposed and the Princess was crowned Queen. The money was used to repair the roads and buildings as well as provide help for the more vulnerable members of the kingdom. A week long party celebrated the Queen’s return.

A few days later her uncle was brought before her in the throne room. He was in chains and fell down on his knees before her.

“I suppose you’re going to have me executed. It’s only fitting I guess.” He stated. The Queen coldly smiled at him.

“Though you killed my father and mother, and even tried to have me killed on multiple occasions, I am not you. I think a better place for you is in the dungeons where you can rot away thinking on what you’ve done.” She answered him. He was led away.

Not long afterwards, the new Royal Treasurer informed the Queen that by his reckoning only half the money her uncle took from the Kingdom’s populace over the years could be accounted for. The Queen sent for her uncle for an explanation, but when the dungeon doors were opened, he was no longer there. The Captain searched the room and found a hidden panel that led to a secret door. He had escaped.

“I think he was counting on you being merciful and sparing his life, he probably even worked out what dungeon room you’d put him in.” The Captain told her.

“Surely he couldn’t be that calculating.” The Queen replied.

“He knew he couldn’t win against your army and so he deliberately fled but then let himself be captured with only half the money. The only variable was what you would do, but maybe he had you figured out all along.” The Queen shook her head in disbelief and looked out the window.

“So where is he now? He must be somewhere.” She asked.

“I don’t know, but we’re looking for him.” The Captain informed her. He left her staring out the window. Her uncle was out there somewhere with a great deal of money planning his next move. She wondered what would he do next…

The End (for now)

This was written with the prompt front provided by Greg’s Five Word Weekly Challenge.

That was fun to write. Maybe at some point in the future I’ll write a sequel to this story. Thanks to Greg for all the prompts.

Please support this blog – Ko-fi 🙂

©️2022 Joanne Fisher

Reckoning, part four (Day 4, 5 Word Weekly Challenge)

Reckoning

4

A company of knights mounted their horses and then rode off into the night, with both the Princess and the Captain watching them leave. Besides the knights, only those two knew of their secret mission. Once they became indistinguishable dots in the darkness, the Princess and the Captain went back into the tent.

Inside the tent was a table. On it was a model of the Capital with wooden figures representing armies. The Captain was trying to work out the best strategy for the battle tomorrow, as they were only a day away now from their target.

“The scouts have informed me they are patching up the fortifications and getting ready for a siege. They’re even conscripting the townsfolk.” The Captain informed the Princess.

“He doesn’t have a standing army?” the Princess asked surprised.

“Apparently the last few years your uncle has let things slide a bit. He’s still demanding high taxes, but none of it seems to have gone into the upkeep of the roads, or fortifications, or even his army. No one seems to be sure where the money has gone. There is an army, but it’s not that well equipped.” The Captain informed her. The Princess shook her head.

“If I realised he was that incompetent, I would have invaded sooner.”

“Don’t underestimate him. Your parents underestimated him and paid for it with their lives. He may yet have some trick up his sleeve we are unaware of.” The Captain warned. The Princess nodded. “May I suggest you get some sleep your highness? Tomorrow is big day after all.” The Princess nodded again.

“Goodnight my captain.” She said. The Captain bowed. She left the tent, but instead of going directly back to her own, she decided to take a walk in the dark. She breathed in the fragrant night air. How she had missed her home. She walked through the woods for a short time, but then stopped. She listened. Just on the edge of hearing she thought she heard some soft footprints that were getting closer. She peered off into dark for a long while until she thought she saw a figure edging nearer to her. Instinctively she threw herself down and hid in a narrow trench. She heard the figure getting closer. Just then the sound of wings began getting louder. Large leathery wings beating in the night air. They got louder still. Then there was a shrill cry, and the sound of the wings getting distant again. The Princess looked up into the night sky to see one of her dragons flying away with something large in their mouth. She stood up and walked directly back to the camp. Once she got back, she saw the Captain was outside looking worried. When he saw her return he looked relieved.

“What happened?” The Captain asked.

“I decided to take a walk before I went to sleep. I think there was an assassin following me. It appears one of the dragons got him.” The Princess told him.

“You were lucky. All it takes is one mistake and this whole enterprise is for nothing.” The Captain told her. The Princess knew this.

“I think I’ll go and get some sleep now.” The Princess stated.

“I’ll send some soldiers on patrol, to make sure there aren’t any more assassins lurking about. This time I hope you go straight to sleep.” The Captain suggested. The Princess left and walked to her tent, finding it was well guarded. She drifted off to sleep thinking about what the next day would bring.

to be continued…

Joanne Fisher

beachhead

trench

conscription

sacrifice

front

This was written with the prompt trench provided by Greg’s Five Word Weekly Challenge.

Please support this blog – Ko-fi 🙂

©️2022 Joanne Fisher

Reckoning, part three (Day 3, 5 Word Weekly Challenge)

Reckoning

3

“We should arrive at the capital within two days.” The Princess stated as she beheld the landscape she hadn’t seen since she was a child. Her captain nodded his head in acknowledgement as he rode beside her.

“I am hoping our advance scouts are keeping their eyes fully open. My fear is your uncle may try to assassinate you before you get to the capital.” He stated.

“You think he would do that?” The Princess asked.

“He has never fought fair. Knowing him, he’s probably already sent out assassins.”

“I’m sure I’ll be safe in your company. After all, you did save my life when I was a child.” The Princess replied.

As they rode through the kingdom, the Princess noticed a number of people had begun following her army. The people still remembered her father, the much-loved king who was murdered by his cruel malevolent brother. Stories had been told over the years of the Princess’s escape and the foretelling that one day she would return to reclaim the throne and her kingdom. That day was finally here, and these people who worked the land would fight for her, some of them would even sacrifice their own lives if it meant it would end the reign of the hated tyrant who called himself their king.

to be continued…

Joanne Fisher

beachhead

trench

conscription

sacrifice

front

This was written with the prompt sacrifice provided by Greg’s Five Word Weekly Challenge.

Please support this blog – Ko-fi 🙂

©️2022 Joanne Fisher

Reckoning, part two (Day 2, 5 Word Weekly Challenge)

Reckoning

2

“Your niece’s army is marching on the capital. It should be here in three days.” The Chancellor told the King. The King sighed.

“If only my assassins had done their job all those years ago.” He stated.

“Yes I’m sorry they were unable to murder a young girl. The Captain of the Guard managed to smuggle her out of the palace in time.” The Chancellor replied.

“Well what are we going to do about this army? What about sending out my army to meet them?” The King asked.

“Her army is too large to defeat on the field of battle. Our forces are going to be hard pressed to stop them.” The Chancellor warned. What he didn’t say was that if the King hadn’t put all the taxes he raised straight into his own coffers, then the money could have been used to better equip his army, to repair the fortifications, even give food to the populace so they might have a shred of loyalty towards him. The truth was any soldier that was worth a damn had long since gone over to the Princess’s side. “If we had a few more days up our sleeves, we could have hired mercenaries to help defend us.”

“That would cost too much.” The King insisted. “What about conscription? I’m sure the peasants and townsfolk could help defend us.”

“To be honest, most of your subjects will be on her side. Your high taxes on the poor have never been popular and they never liked the way you took power.” The Chancellor admitted.

“Well then conscript as many of them as you can. And get the fortifications ready.” The King ordered. “Also have all the money from the treasury loaded onto a cart.”

“You mean to flee my lord?” The Chancellor asked surprised.

“It’s always good to have options. And send for my assassins. If the Princess is killed then all of this will no longer be a problem.”

to be continued…

Joanne Fisher

beachhead

trench

conscription

sacrifice

front

This was written with the prompt conscription provided by Greg’s Five Word Weekly Challenge.

Please support this blog – Ko-fi 🙂

©️2022 Joanne Fisher

Reckoning, part one (Day 1, 5 Word Weekly Challenge)

Reckoning

1

They had taken the beachhead from what meagre forces had been stationed there. Now it provided a place for the army to assemble from the warships in the harbour. There were knights, foot soldiers, cannon, and even a couple of dragons flying above. At the head of the army was the Princess, the true queen of the kingdom. Her parents had been murdered by her cruel uncle, and she had been smuggled out of the capital while still a young child. Over the years she had built up a sizeable army in a neighbouring kingdom, and today she had finally set things in motion. The Princess held up her sword.

“Soldiers advance!” She ordered. She rode her horse forward. Her army followed.

to be continued….

Joanne Fisher

beachhead

trench

conscription

sacrifice

front

This was written with the prompt beachhead provided by Greg’s Five Word Weekly Challenge.

Please support this blog: Ko-fi 🙂

©️2022 Joanne Fisher