Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers: The Man on the Bench

Published on by Yinglan

photo-20160530071502073

He sat there, day after day with his yellow cap, green jacket, colorful socks, and sneakers. At the beginning, passerby would sit down next to him, asking him if he’s okay, where’s his family, and all those relevant questions. He would shake his head or smile and reply no thank you. After a week, the passerby stopping by his bench lessened and a month later, everyone ignored his presence like they would when they encounter a statue. Then one morning, after a snow storm through the night, a jogger passed by the bench. She didn’t notice anything strange until she was several steps passed the bench. She stopped, pulled her earbuds from her ears, turned, and screamed.

********

Ice crystals covered the man’s purple face. His eyes were wide open, staring up at the sky, not blinking while a small trail of blood ran from the bullet hole in his forehead to above the bridge of his nose.

(~156 words)

Sorry for the horrifying take on this week’s picture. I’ve been binge watch crime dramas most of the week (first Elementary then Bones) that my fantasies have morphed into the horror and crime drama genre. 

I am participating in Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writer, where we write a piece between 100 and 150 words (more or less 25 words) in length inspired by the photo prompt above. 

30 thoughts on “Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers: The Man on the Bench”

      1. Well if there are ice crystals forming on his skin that would suggest a period of several hours not to mention then that rigor would begin to set, but the blood is an interesting take. If is still running or not dried it would imply the bullet hole is fairly recent, so could the man have been shot after he died?

        Liked by 1 person

  7. I thought you had stopped at the scream because the jogger had recognized his absence. Actually I liked that ending in which it would show how we accept people until they are gone. Do I make myself clear? Anyway I liked it better up to the gun shot. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Stopping at the scream? That wouldn’t be fun and you know I like fun endings. 😀
      Anyway, I get what you’re saying. I was planning to write that version but it seemed a little sad.

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      Reply

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