Happy Monday! Every Monday I devote my post to a flash fiction writing challenge that I host. It is called Mondays Finish the Story. This is a flash fiction challenge where I provide a photo and the opening line to a story. The writer is to use the opening line and write a story that goes with the photo. The word limit is 100-150 words, not including the opening line. Here is my contribution to this week’s challenge. The opening sentence is in bold and italicized letters.
Sherman City Hall – © 2015, Barbara W. Beacham
“The Mayor and the town manager waved as their next victim approached.” Their smiling faces were welcoming. Sarah waved back at them as she hopped off the train.
“Welcome to Sherman,” said Mayor Gillespie.
“Thank you!” she replied.
“And, what brings you to our small hamlet?”
“I heard that there are some good hiking trails to the wilderness beyond.” What she was here for was to investigate what happened to her brother. His last call to the family was from the train that would drop him off here.
Heading into the building, they offered her a coffee, which she gratefully accepted. It was hot and slightly bitter.
“So, where are you from?” asked town manager Wilco.
“Eugene Oregon.”
“We had another visitor from there. Now isn’t that strange?”
As Sarah looked around the room, she saw her brother’s jacket hanging on the coat rack and stood up. The room began to spin.
“Got us another,” said Gillespie to Wilco laughing maniacally.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I hope that you enjoyed my bit of flash! You too can join in on this exciting challenge. To get there click HERE!
Thank you for taking the time to drop on by! Have a magnificent day and be well… ^..^
Life in the Foothills 
Loved the story. Good dialogue.
Thank you Susan.
omg, great story! Poor, innocent Sarah!
Thank you OnChi! It was a fun one to write.
Yikes! I wonder what happened to her brother and what other “trophies” may be around from other victims.
The only way to know the answer to what other trophies there might be is to go and visit the town of Sherman.
[…] of Mondays Finish the Story kindly contacted me to ask if I was interested in her sending me a few error that she’d found […]
Good one Barb, a lot of victim stories to be read this week…..
Thank you Michael! I had fun writing this one! Be well… ^..^
Good story, Barbara. That goes to show no one should drink something offered by a stranger, especially if it’s slightly bitter. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
Thank you Suzanne! Yes, indeed, never drink something offered by a stranger.
Eerie stuff going on in that town.
There sure is! 🙂
At least she’s going to find out what happened to her brother! Though I don’t suppose sharing his fate was part of her plan. Great story!
Sharing the fate of her brother was not part of the plan. I wonder if someone is now going to head here to see what happened to them both. Thanks Ali!
What another great story Barb! Thanks for brightening my day!
Glad you enjoyed it Joanne. Stay tuned for today’s post. It is a recipe for a 3 cheese garlic potatoes. Be well and hugs… ^..^
Oh poor thing! Did she get a chance to escape? Its a good start to a full fledged book.
Why thank you Lata! We shall see what comes of it…
That is the inherent problem of trying to solve a mystery without back-up.
I just read another story where a detective bit the dust because he didn’t want to share his lead.
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
There should always be back-up! I am glad that you enjoyed my bit of flash! I enjoyed yours too…
Now I will think twice when someone offers me a coffee. I wonder what happened to Sarah and her brother…
That would be another chapter Martin. I wanted to email you for help on one of the challenges, but the email address on the inlinkz page looked a bit off to me. Something with block email. Would you consider helping in the future? If so, how would I contact you? I provide a link back to your blog in the post in exchange for helping out.
You caught me in the act there. I virtually never include my real email address where it’s not absolutely necessary. You can see the real one in your wpadmin in the comments section though. I’ll send you an email later today to avoid doubt. It would be great to participate in setting up a new challenge, so feel free to drop me a line. Thank you.
I sent you an email! 🙂 I look forward to hearing from you. 🙂
The problem with your short stories is that they are too short! They always want me to read more of what your imagination has begun to conjure. This one could make for a TV movie’s beginning!
I am glad that you enjoyed the story PJ, and thank you for the lovely compliment!
“Got us another” Very sinister… and they seemed so nice at first. Very good.
Thank you! I had fun writing this one!
Great story! I wasn’t expecting that ending and it was great!
😀 Thank you Joy! Sarah was not expecting what happened!
No, she wasn’t!!
🙂
Creepy place …this town of Sherman. Nice dialogue.
Thank you! Dialogue has always scared me and the more I practice, the better I will get!
Wow, Eugene! That’s where my brother and sister in law live.
Wonderful city, wonderfully spooky story!
I am happy that you enjoyed my story Phylor! I had a good time writing this one!
Oh dear, wrong move to accept coffee, but gosh you don’t expect the unexpected do you? Well told!
Thanks Yolanda. Who would have thought…but then the coffee was bitter as it can sometimes be.
You have a dark imagination, Barb. How are you able to sleep at night?!!!
I read too many murder mysteries over the years. I take Unisom. 🙂