Flash Fiction

Eavesdropping

Now was the moment of truth. ‘What if I told you I stole a car last night?’ 

No reaction. Her eyes held their daydream sheen. 

‘What if I told you it wasn’t just any car? It belonged to my boss.’

The train doors snapped shut.

‘What if I told you I drove his car to a fancy restaurant with his wife beside me?’

The man in the opposite seat peaked over the top of his newspaper. 

‘What if I told you that we’re having the most exciting affair?’

A-ha. Her nose twitched. Or did it? 

‘What if I told you she's more beautiful than you ever were?’

The ear of every passenger turned towards us.

‘What if I told you I’ve known from the very beginning our marriage was a mistake?’

The wheels chugga-chugged through the silent carriage.

‘What if I told you I only waited at the altar because your father paid me not to run?’

I lent in close enough for her to feel my breath against her cheek.

‘What if I told you I hate you?’

She turned to me - finally. This was it. Here we go. I stared into her soft blue eyes and waited for them to turn cold. She curled her lips up into a warm smile and leaned her head against my shoulder. Her arm hooked through mine just like all those years ago on our train rides to school together. God, now I believed her. Those earbuds really do block out everything.

Water's edge

Frank Staunton’s cold blue eyes stared out at the shimmering heat of the day. The mountain's hulking mass rose up from the opposite end of the lake. Boulders the size of houses clung to its steep sides, threatening to fall at the slightest knock. The still waters below reflected tufts of cloud that sheathed the dagger-like mountain top from view. Temperatures had been steadily rising year on year, adding pounds of pressure onto Frank’s usually cool mind with each additional degree. He was sitting on a bench that hadn’t been here ten years ago. The retreating waters of the lake were slowly pulling back their watery cloak and revealing secrets that had been hidden long ago. He came here every year to mark where the new water line was, estimating how much time he may have left. He’d become a prisoner on death row counting each granule of sand that fell through the glass timer. Two years ago he could have sworn he’d seen the number plate of his old car - just for a second. The sun was slowly boiling away not just the water, but his sanity too. If only he could remember where exactly he’d pushed his car in - if only he hadn’t drank so much. The only thing he did remember was the thumping against the locked boot. And the muffled pleas for help as the car gurgled into the water; taking his secret with it. It was meant to be a permanent grave. But the lake wasn't like the mountain, the weight of which was bearing down upon him. Soon he’d have to walk into that lake and disappear himself. It was only a matter of when.

Gravel

I had to catch her. She was almost at the gate. She couldn’t scream or run, I’d made sure of that, and there were no street lights on this quiet country road. Only the full moon offered some light. But the neighbour's car had arrived home a few minutes ago. If they found her it would ruin everything. My entire life would be destroyed. Jeanie and the kids would desert me. My father would disown me. My friends would disappear. They’d lock me in a cell. I couldn’t let my life be burnt by the actions of this girl. Who was she even? She was nothing. I’d chosen her for that reason. No one would notice if she went missing. I, on the other hand, had so much to lose. My life actually meant something. 

I saw her on my way back from the bathroom. I’d been washing up following our most recent session. There at the window at the top of the stairs I heard her slow crunching steps on the gravel drive. How had she gotten out? The little snake. I should have tied more rope around her; never trust a woman. She stopped. Did she feel my eyes on her? She turned back and saw me standing at the window. I saw my face reflected in hers. Both of us were as scared as each other. We knew we only had one chance. I had to be fast. 

I sprinted down the stairs. I opened the front door gently and stepped into the night. I hopped from the porch onto the grass, avoiding the noisy gravel. The earth was springy from a light rain. I snuck up behind her. Her hand was on the gate. The rusty hinges screeched through the night. I pulled the plastic bag over her head. She fought. She scraped and kicked. I dragged her down onto the grass. We embraced. She wouldn’t let go. She wouldn’t give up. She thought she could still escape. The ending was inevitable. Thank god. It was over. My life was saved.