Friday Fictioneers – The Guest

~ Neil MacDonald
PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

The Guest

It was a lie, of course. No tells showed—his performance flawless—but I just felt it. For a long moment, I stared out the window. In the park beyond, my gaze playing on the dog-walkers, collars turned up, trekking stubborn, and on the wheeling birds and leaves. Let him sweat. 

“Coffee?” I asked.

“Thankyou, no.”

Did he know I knew?

“So, why are you really here?”

He steepled long fingers and sighed. Would he deny the implication?

“Good. Enough pretence. Sadly, the task is to kill you.” He offered an inlaid wooden box. “It’ll be painless.”

“I appreciate that.”

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Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here

41 thoughts on “Friday Fictioneers – The Guest”

  6. Great write Neil -the description of the park, grounds the scene in a reality that sharply contrasts with the cold conversation happening inside – brilliant last line 🙌

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  7. When Mr Grim Reaper calls, what do you do? Clearly, coffee doesn’t work, try tea.

    You character seemed to accept his fate, I wonder what he did or who did he double cross?

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      5. Yes, it is. I have always liked the work of journalists who turned writers. Even the fiction is well researched and makes more sense. I will read one of your books soon. Your blog is very helpful for new writers like me. Thanks 😊.

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  15. This was an intriguing build up to a flat cold ending which still has us guessing the relationship, if any, of the 2 characters. Quite evocative.

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