A bloodcurdling scream broke the morning silence as a jogger discovered the beheaded body of Joshua Soup. “What’s wrong?” Her jogging partner caught up and a moment later, another scream disrupted the morning bliss.

12 hours before…

In blue shorts and orange t-shirt, Joshua Soup sat in the driver seat of his car. He had just finished a workout at the gym when he got a text from his brother. “Meet me in the park’s parking lot. I have something to show you.”

“What is it?” He texted back but his brother never replied. So he waited. For two hours, his brother never showed up. As his patience weaned, he stepped out of the car. That’s when it happened.

First came a chill. Then the lights went out. “Hello?” Joshua’s voice was frantic, “Anyone there?” He reached for his phone, searching for light, and just as he found light, it came. One moment he was standing, the next he was on ground while sharp claws dug into his flesh, and then the pain was gone.

(~174 words)

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.