Image : Pixabay
Sam took a last drag of his cigarette before flicking the yellowed stump away with his thumb, watching it soar from the balcony to the carpark below.
‘Storm’s coming.’ He peered behind him into the gloomy flat, to the shadow furniture of settee and sideboard. ‘I said storm’s coming.’
‘I heard you.’ Mum was sitting where she always did, turned to the television, sound full up, remote control clenched in her hand.
The settee had moulded to her bowed back, the cushions to her hips. He’d thought about dispensing with a coffin when she died, of just pushing her further into the doughy folds.
‘What are we gonna do?’ said Sam.
The stormhead was black, bulging clouds ready to burst. It crept across the sun, swallowing light and heat.
‘What if it’s them?’ said Sam. ‘What if they’ve found us?’
There was a noise that might have been laughter. ‘No use running if it is,’ said Mum.
The wind blew chill across the estate, bringing with it petrol fumes from the motorway, the smell of rot from the bins below the window.
‘A storm’s coming,’ he said.
Written for The Daily Post prompt – STORM. Why not pop along here and join in?
Oh I love that line about the sofa swallowing her corpse! brilliant!
Reminds me of The Langoliers…
LikeLiked by 3 people
Ah, thank you lovely. I think I might have watched that, though it was some while ago, wasn’t it? Wondering what’s after them. I think my character and his mum might have a disfunctional relationship which could be an obstacle in the rough times ahead. Thanks for reading 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooo, what a chilling ambiance you’ve created there! I love all the story implied behind “no use running if it is” — whoever “they” are, I hope not to experience that particular type of storm!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Joy! I did enjoy this – love a feeling of creeping dread! I’m not sure what’s after them, just that’s it’s really BAD 🙂 Thanks for reading
LikeLiked by 1 person
So much implied menace, a great atmosphere (if you’ll pardon the unintended pun). Just reading Neil Gaiman’s American Gods about a modern-day Twilight of the Gods, where the phrase about the coming storm punctuates the narrative (also used to effect in The Dark Knight Returns Batman film). “Pathetic fallacy” I think it’s called, but no less powerful a meme for all that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure I read American Gods along time ago – so long I can’t remember a word! Glad there was the intended feeling of dread, though. Do love a bit of Neil Gaiman … Thanks for reading, Chris 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What on earth did this chavvy duo do to make so powerful an enemy? The mind boggles.
I love how you put yourself inside the heads of your characters, and outline their personalities in just a few words. I can even visualise the weasly face of that particular guy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I suspect there’s an awful lot more to them than meets the eye – maybe mother has hidden talents, a past filled with excitement and danger that led her to go just a step or several dozen too far? A council flat could be a good place to hide from your hunters. Thank you so much, Jane, for your lovely comments 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe if the son got shot of her he wouldn’t be in danger… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
An excellent point and something I think you might be right about. Though I think our boy has a strange loyalty to Mum – I think he’ll stick with her until the end … 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah well – she is his mother, after all 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep and though she might be a difficult woman she’s obviously unable to defend herself to any great degree. She needs her little boy there to look after her. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even though he fantasises about burying her in her armchair when she dies 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, well, that’s normal, isn’t it? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope not 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Inevitability
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, yes inevitable – something is definitely coming and it really isn’t good. Thanks for reading, Eric – much appreciated
LikeLike