Friday 17 February 2017

The Follower ( flash fiction)

The Follower (flash fiction)

    Sally’s heart raced as her quickening footsteps echoed off the graffiti covered walls of the pedestrian underpass. She almost fell as she changed direction to avoid discarded condoms and syringes lying on the ground.  Sally could hear the heavy sound of footsteps a little way behind and caught a glimpse of a blue jacket with a flash of red as she glanced over her shoulder. And then she was out . . . out of the underpass and into the grey afternoon; but it felt like sunshine after her ordeal. Sally slowed to her normal pace and after catching her breath she said “Thank God” as she entered the High Street. It was full of Saturday shoppers and groups of teenagers milling around. Flustered and still a little panicky Sally said “Excuse me” to an elderly couple on one of the many benches. “Ok if I sit here?”
“Hello dear” the old lady replied, “Of course you can.” She said, putting her bag on her lap and shuffling along the seat.
    And then Sally saw him again. There was no mistake. “Oh shite” she said, under her breath as she recognised the blue quilted puffer jacket and red scarf the man two benches down was wearing. She fumbled in her bag and found her mobile “Where’s my purse?” she said “No, where the hell is it.”  In quite a state Sally started to text her boyfriend and all the while she discreetly kept looking over at the man as he took the Guardian newspaper from a plastic carrier bag. “Oh my God” Sally muttered to herself when she saw the black patch over his left eye partially covering an angry scar. He adjusted his hat to sit at an angle; it reminded her of how hitmen wore them in prohibition movies. He opened his newspaper and Sally grimaced, argh that’s gross she thought as she saw the deformity where his left hand little finger should have been.  She glanced down at her mobile - I'm being followed - send. Sally pulled her coat tight about herself as she clutched her phone in one hand and folded her arms tightly across her chest as the man reached down into his plastic bag; he stood up and started to walk towards……


© Julian Clarke 2017

28 comments:

  1. The myth of Medusa and the reality of the stalker... nicely juxtaposed!

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    1. Much appreciated, thotpurge and thanks for dropping by.

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  2. Poor Medusa! Not one of Athena's greatest moments, though it did guarantee her victim long life. And as for the flash fiction? It makes me grateful for cell phones. It is a moment probably familiar to all genders.

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    1. How our phones have become a safety net. Thank you, Susan for commenting,

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  3. Love the mythology throwback....though the line about Medusa mistaking "his courting for love" made me think about how easy it is for all of us, in our genuine desire to be loved, to mistake something that is NOT love for love. Lucky that we don't all end up with snakes for hair!!

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    1. Hi C.C
      Yep I think most have experienced that. (not snakes)
      I'm pleased you liked it.

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  5. From myth to mystery, great read!

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    1. Thanks for your remarks. Glad you liked it

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  7. Excellent, both.

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    1. Thank you, Sanaa, I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

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  9. What a cliffhanger ending... wonder if she'll be a medusa to her followers.

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  10. Now THAT is a cliffhanger! Whew! Well done!!!!

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  11. I like your unique slant on Medusa!!

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  12. To stare - or not to stare. The previous poem - and the way in which the flash fiction ended - got me wondering: is Sally staring at the blue-puffer-jacket-man? That might determine how the story ends. A stare can be a confrontation. On the other hand, not looking can show fear.

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  13. Thank you Wendy, for your comments, as always much appreciated.

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  14. Yikes! You definitely left me hanging...

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  15. Medusa mistook his courting for love
    Violating her with his body he thrust

    How often one may be overwhelmed by acts of love not realizing it may not be in all seriousness. Very much so Julian!

    Hank

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  16. I always accepted Medusa as the gorgon she was presented to us. I have to read up on her origin and transformation

    Your poem has sparked my interest to research

    much love...

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Comments are very much appreciated and I shall endeavour to reply, however, this may not always be possible due to time restraints.