FLASH FICTION:-- HORROR, SCI-FI, HUMOUR, CRIME, SLICE OF LIFE, ETC.

Friday 27 June 2014

On the ledge (Part 1)


I was reasonably comfortable sitting on the narrow ledge, despite my left arm being torn and shredded, that was sure gonna hurt when the shock wore off though.

I could hear the thing pacing about at the top of the cliff some twenty feet or so above me. The stealthy silence it used before the attack unnecessary now as it prowled about impatiently, a horrible symphony of snapping twigs and clickety claws, overlaid with deeper growls and incisor-gnashing snarls.

At least these noises were easier to deal with than the earlier ones of snapping bones, tearing flesh, and slurping mastication as what was left of my friends were disappearing down its throat.

The camping holiday of a lifetime, yeah, a beer and a laugh around the camp fire had changed rapidly into something else the moment John's hand slapped me wetly in my face, just his hand, the rest of him was hitting other places as he was torn limb from limb.

By the time I had recovered enough to run the creature had almost finished with Paul and Billy. I caught a slashing blow from one massive claw across my upper arm as I dodged around it, just before I tripped and went headlong over the cliff edge.

Something warm dripped onto the top of my head, then trickled its way down the back of my neck and under my collar, cooling as it slimed its way down my spine. I ran my hand over my scalp, then looked at my fingers, slick with globs of drooly, blood-slicked saliva. I didn't need to look up to know the thing was staring down at me. I could almost taste its hunger, and rage.

Occasionally the clouds would part slightly allowing the full moon to peep through and reflect yellow off the dark sea below. It had been a beautiful sight earlier in the day with the sun glinting off the water. We had sat drinking and joking as the sun had gone down, making plans for the morning.

Well, those plans were in the bin now.

I considered my options, such as they were.

I couldn't climb back up, although I guess the creature at the top of the cliff would be absolutely delighted to see me. I couldn't go downwards, the view from the cliff was magnificent during the day, affording a beautiful seascape, also a grand view of a sheer, two hundred foot drop onto the rocks below.

Ah well, I guess I'll just wait.

I rummaged around in my pockets. Keys, comb, a stick of gum, two hundred and sixty dollars plus change. Ha! Maybe I could buy my way out of this mess?

I unwrapped the gum and stuck it in my mouth, chewed on it slowly as I put the wrapper back into my pocket. Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints. I suppressed a hysterical giggle. Yeah, leave nothing but footprints, and bloodstains, and friends.

I felt my stomach lurch slightly as the sugary spearmint worked its way down. I was gonna need to take a crap soon. Jeez, could this night possibly get any worse?

I know one thing for sure, whatever happens I won't coming back here for another holiday.


Continued in:- On the ledge (Part 2)


©2014 Stephen. J. Green.

32 comments:

  1. I want to know what the creature was - yes I do. See I've always said no good comes of camping - give me a nice hotel or apartment any day! I don't know if I should be laughing Steve but somehow the whole scenario is scary and funny at the same time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have you ever seen "An American werewolf in London" Helen? Well, something like that, only bigger, and much nastier.
      I'm glad that you found some humour in this, it was definitely written a bit tongue-in-cheek. :-)

      Delete
  2. Haha, good ending! Though with the state his arm is in, a bit of him will never leave here. Maybe more bits.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks John. I'd be surprised if any bits of him manage to leave. :-)

      Delete
  3. Poor guy. I hope he doesn't transform at the next full moon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not sure, but I think that only works with bites. I don't think he'll be around long enough to see the next moon though. :-)

      Delete
  4. Butlins must seem appealing in the light of this eh? :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha!! Yeah. Having his thumbs nailed to the table probably would too. :-D

      Delete
  5. Okay, whose bright idea was it to go camping? I'm guessing our survivor won't be sending him a Christmas card this year. That's what he gets for leading the whole group into a Griswold moment with a nightmarish twist.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL. I like the "Griswold moment" Stephen, Chevy would have lucked his way out of this somehow though, I reckon.

      Delete
  6. Leave no trace is for the campers, not the wildlife. Why so much money in the pocket? Long trip? Poker?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Plenty of cash for beer, food, and more beer. :-)
      Although I didn't write it in, I was thinking a two week holiday.

      Delete
  7. I wondered the same David, about the money, but maybe that's just because it's so rare for me to see that much at once. :)
    I feel for the poor fellow and hope his guardian angel comes along to help soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Roslyn, I wouldn't hold your breath on the cavalry turning up, but I just may write a part two for this if I can think of a decent ending.

      Delete
  8. A great cliff hanging tale in more ways than one lol. I particularly liked the image of the severed hand slapping his face. I could really imagine the silent splashiness of the situation before what was going on sank in.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Casey. "Silent splashiness?" LOL. I like that, I may just steal that line for future use. :-)

      Delete
  9. And....of course he has to take a crap. That's a realistic bit to throw in, because it does ring true and is one of those "last straw" physical discomforts. I suppose it's a waiting game now; will the monster give up and go away, or will he starve/fall off the ledge/bleed to death? It seems like only a chopper rescue would work.
    Oh, and our narrator should know to NEVER ask if it could get any worse. It generally does. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Li. I definitely had "Werewolf" in mind when I wrote this, so it will probably transform back at dawn, I'm not sure his chances of survival are good though even after that.

      As for things getting worse, I'll bet the flavour of his gum wears off too soon too. LOL.

      Delete
  10. Ahahaha... yeah money ain't no good against teeth and claws, but maybe sarcasm is, for the lack of friends there, the amount of blood spilled. That and remembering you still need to do your human things. What a poor way to say it... That's why always check the place you intent to visit otherwise there's another horror in the making. Man, Hollywood would looove to buy the rights to this guy's story. Maybe exclude the part where, if the creature is indeed a Werewolf, when it transforms back to human the two of them have a nice little chat. About ropes and stuff.

    Fun read, Steve! Gory, but fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Y'know Cindy, I never thought of it, but wouldn't it be really funny if the creature saved him after it had become human again? Although I don't think the human form will be in favour of sticking around to take the rap for all the carnage. :-)

      Delete
    2. But it would be brilliant, wouldn't it? I imagine the exchange of words, after our friend emits a weak-like "help" from his rocky seat. Werewolf might feel bad, but hey, saving one still counts, right?

      Delete
    3. He could be a werewolf with a conscience, a bit like Velkan in the movie Van Helsing. He knows what he is, and hates it, but can't control his appetites when the moon is full.

      Delete
  11. Well I can't blame him for not coming back.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me neither, I'm not sure he'll get the choice though. :-)

      Delete
  12. Oh yes please! A second part would be awesome. Among many things, I’d like to know exactly what the creature looks like, if it’s going to try to find a way down to our poor narrator, and if it does, will the narrator find a way to kill the beast or choose dashing himself to the rocks over being eaten while still alive, or if you develop the Vaskova/Green idea!
    Miss A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Miss Alister, I'm not sure if I will write a part 2 for this, but I'll think about it and see if I come up with anything. There are several directions it could go from here, so my muse has plenty of room to work with. :-)

      Delete
  13. What makes the humour really effective for me is that it only makes sense if the narrator is in shock. All the funny bits come from the psychological distancing he's doing, and it really works.

    You know, I've seen all these bits of American Werewolf in London, but I've never got to see the whole thing. This is a good reminder I should remedy that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Katherine, I sometimes think my humour is a little obscure for many people, and it's nice when it hits the mark.

      "An American werewolf in London" is, to my mind, one of those must watch films, it's rather dated now but if you've never seen it then try to catch it some time. The dark humour in it is rich, all the background songs are moon-oriented - "Blue moon" "Bad moon rising" and such.
      One of my favourite parts is when he wakes up in hospital, I won't spoil it for you, but look out for that bit. :-)

      Delete
  14. Don't you wish there were comment cards for camp sites. I have a feeling he wouldn't be giving this one high marks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha!! Probably not Jon, but Wolfie probably wouldn't be complaining about all the free meals though. :-)

      Delete
  15. I bet Macguyver could make something with keys, a comb, a stick of gum, and two hundred and sixty dollars plus change.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL. Not without that all-important roll of duct tape. :-D

      Delete