#RomanticFridayWriters #AtoZChallenge - Dribbles, Drabbles and Droubbles - Flash Fiction 2 - B is for...

RomanticFridayWriters is about short short writing or flash fiction (usually 400 words), less for poems, with some romantic element. It's not Romance of the happily ever after variety, but Romantic, where it's about the story, the issue, with some romantic relationship involved. Our stories are edgy, sometimes dark, and often don't have the HEA ending! 

The fortnightly prompts are in hiatus while RFW participates in the A - Z Challenge. Challenges begin again on May 4 (see sidebar prompt). During April you will find stories from 50 - 200 words (in the interests of a quick read). Most of the posts will be penned by Denise Covey as she just decided overnight to do this, but other RFW members will be popping in from time to time to post their stories I hope...

So here we go! RFW Dribbles (50 words) and Drabbles (100 words) and Droubbles (200 words) and more...for your enjoyment...

It's widely agreed that most fiction (unless it's solely about animals) begins and ends with human characters: their frailties, virtues, conflicts and expectations. In our stories for the A - Z Challenge the writers attempt to more closely observe the people around us...

B is for...

The Tuscan Hills, by L'Aussie Images

Bushwalking, canoeing and white water rafting, the Hobbies section of his profile stated. Jilly leaned back in her chair and sipped her coffee, staring at the computer screen.

Quite incompatible. She clicked the mouse and re-read the profile she'd just posted...Hobbies - reading, writing, cooking. God, I'm such a nerd. Maybe it's time... 

She clicked back to Herman Magtaz. He looked something else with his shaggy black hair, sculptured jawline, eyes mysterious behind black shades.

Tap! Tap! Click! Done!

***

Herman was waiting at the corner table when she walked into the coffee shop. A fast mover. Maybe a good thing? She checked him out as she crossed the black and white tiles - his shabby clothes matched his wild hair which was in dreadlocks. His crushed indigo shirt was open halfway down his chest. Show off. But he was ripped all right! He fit the stereotype of the outdoor's man.

'You keep your shades on even when you're inside?' she asked as they sipped their brew.

'Yep. Got an eye condition.'

Mystery man.

'How about a quick hike up Mount Satisfaction after coffee?' He swiped his milky moustache with an enormous hand.

You don't waste any time, but what the heck...I never take risks, but...

'I brought a picnic just in case.' Self assured. I like that.

'Well, why not? Just a quick hike you said?'

'Yep. Takes just a couple of hours to reach the peak.'

Jilly was surprised how little time it took to walk to the top, even in her ballet flats. The view was stupendous. The city seemed so far away, just little terracotta dots spread along the valley.

'This is wonderful,' she said, and meant it.

He flicked the picnic blanket onto a patch of grass. Jilly thought the scene magical, with the dappled, flickering light shimmering through the trees. She relaxed against the nearest tree and watched Herman. His shirt was completely open and - he brought out a knife, not sandwiches...

'Do what I say,' he said as he pushed her down, holding the knife to her throat.


He slowly removed his shades. His eyes were colourless and cruel...

©DeniseCovey2012
370 words

                                                                          

Denise, (L'Aussie) writes short stories, flash fiction, travel articles and newspaper profiles while working on her Great Australian Novels. She's the founder of RomanticFridayWriters. Her writing blog is L'Aussie Writing. She'd love you to visit her there for her A - Z Challenge on the theme, BLOGGERS WERE CHILDREN TOO!