Jithin, PhoTrablogger, the host of Flash Fiction Chain, had decided to continue the previous flash fiction chain due to an inconclusive ending. The following parts are inspired by the above image. Due to her busy schedule, Priceless Joy has asked me to write Part 15 of the chain and since she had asked so kindly, I couldn’t refuse.

Character List :

• Anna Brighton- 32 year old CEO who owns and runs a publishing company
• Alex Burns – well established author, Anna’s ex, Toby Blackwell’s cousin
• Toby Blackwell – co-owns the Blackwell estate, Alex’s cousin

Other characters:

• Jenny- Anna’s secretary
• Melissa Doyle –the bride, Anna’s dear friend
• Harrison – Melissa’s fiance.

Recommendation:

If you’re not caught up, may I recommend you to read the previous part before venturing this part.

1. Sona
2. Click here
3. Priceless Joy
4. Frenesthetist
5. Dr. KO
6. Sweety
7. Itchy Quill
8. I-Read
9. First Draft
10. Soul n Spirit
11. Phaena Says
12. The Stardust Elephant
13. Sona
14. Click Here

Now onto #15

“H-hi,” Anna stammered at the sight of the man on the other side of the door. It took a second for her to notice his bruised lip and cheek and all of a sudden, she was speechless. She cleared her throat. “Alex, wh-what are you doing here?”

Alex shoved his hands in his jeans pockets and shrugged and then followed by a light chuckle. “I just want to check to see if you’re okay and I’m sorry for what happened yesterday what with…”

“Oh, no yesterday wasn’t your fault.”

“But how are you? I’ve been worrying about you all night.”

Really, Anna wanted to ask but instead, she replied. “Oh, I’m fine, just fine.” His eyes wandered while she stared awkwardly at the wooden floor and wondered. Can Alex be it? Is he the person I’d been wanting to fall for all along? 

“So, you want some breakfast?” He nodded in the direction of the kitchen and smiled. “The caterers’ gone which means I can finally show you what I can do.”

Anna laughed. “I’ll be the judge of that.” She shut the bedroom door behind her and followed Alex down the hallway to the kitchen.

The caterers had managed to pack up and leave within minutes after the wedding. Upon her arrival in the kitchen, Anna was amazed at the transformation. She remembered when she arrived three days ago, the kitchen was a complete mess, flour and egg shell were all over the beautiful granite counter-tops and even the beautiful porcelain tile floor was dusted with flour and powder sugar. Alex pulled a skillet from the rack above the range. “So what would you like?”

Anna sat down on the other side of the counter and rested her hands under her chin. “Hmm, what can you cook?” Alex went to the fridge and grabbed the carton of eggs. He transferred it to the counter when they heard a blood-curdling scream. Alex froze and Anna jumped off the stool. “What’s that?”

Alex swallowed. “I think it’s coming from upstairs.”

At the landing, a maid rushed to them. “What’s wrong?” Anna asked.

The maid shrieked frightfully, “He’s dead!” She cried.

Chills crawled up Anna’s spine as her heart hammered. “Who’s dead?”

The maid led them down the corridor and pointed at the library. The door stood ajar. Anna slowly pushed the door open and gasped. Lying face-down in the middle of the room was Toby. She covered her mouth, shocked. Was this after the fight? She pondered as she entered the room.

Moving closer like she wasn’t afraid, she clenched her fists and bent over his bodies. Who would do this to him?  She skimmed over his ruffled blond hair and slightly ripped jacket. Something caught her sight. In the middle of his back was a small hole. This wasn’t not a bullet hole, she was sure for she’d seen an actual bullet hole before. It was from something thinner but thicker than a needle. She scanned the room, hoping for a clue and there it was, lying on the other side of Toby’s lifeless body was a thin arrow. Its feather tip red and the pointy end was in the shape of a heart.

Uh oh, who could be Toby’s killer? Stay tune for the next part written by whoever it is. 

16. Itchy Quill
17. Dr. KO