I was watching a Google+ video of Holly Lisle on the 10th when Holly gave in improptu lesson on writing. She suggested we work along with her. So, from those few prompts, I developed today’s Flash fiction story. Check out the video (the mini, mini class comes about 2/3 of the way through the video (1 hour 8 min long) here: http://hollylisle.com/questions-for-the-google-chat-what-do-you-want-to-know-about/

The Click

I woke; a brilliant while light shining from the ceiling onto my body. I was able to turn my head slightly to the right or left but otherwise, I was firmly strapped to what looked like a hospital bed. I couldn’t remember how I got here and that made me anxious.

Behind me, I heard a click, like a door closing. The sound of high heels as well as the faint scent of a flowery perfume crossed the floor from behind me to the right but it was dark beyond the circle of light. I could just make out some sort of screen in the dark that the click, click, click of heels stopped behind, then the sound of someone sitting. A soft plop, as though the chair was upholstered.

I tried to lick my lips but there was something in my mouth. I could swallow and breathe but there would be no talking. Panic set in. Where was I? Why was I tied to the bed? “UNNNGGHH,” I tried to yell.

There was a small scraping sound from behind the screen. Was the chair moving? “UNNGGHH!” If I could only get someone’s attention. Get me unstrapped.

Without warning, the lights in the room came on. At last!

A rustling from behind the screen gave me a warning of movement. The click, click crossed the floor.

“UNNGGHH!”

I tried to raise my head but it wouldn’t come up off of the bed. I watched the end of the screen. Help me, I wished with every ounce of my being. My heart thudded so hard I could hear it in my ears.

Around the end of the screen came the biggest insect I’d ever seen. The creature’s unshod feet made the clicking sound on the hard, smooth floor. My eyes bugged out, my breath racing. The insect held a tray in its two front legs, walking on the back four. I began shaking my head as it approached me.

I heard another click from behind me, then more tapping of feet on the floor. In a moment four of the insects, giant eyes staring at me, surrounded the bed. I tried to pull free of the restraints. It was no use. The first insect sat the tray on a small table beside my bed. It chittered as it picked up a small knife.

Thrashing as wildly as possible I screamed as loud as I could with my mouth stopped up. Distracted by the knife to my right, the creature to my left stabbed me in the neck with a needle. I could feel something hot flowing through my veins before my eyes began to close. The first creature chittered again. My last sight was of that knife coming straight at my abdomen.

The End

461 Words

Find more of the Forward Motion Flash Friday Group here:http://www.fmwriters.com/flash.html