He sat in the café watching Berliners come and go.

Where was she?

The newspaper lay folded at the business page as per the agreed protocol. The coffee cup next to it sat untouched.

He felt the point of cold steel between his shoulders.

An East German accent said ‘I think you should come with us.’

Written for a writing course. The assignment was to write a 50-word story from the photo prompt.

The picture was taken from the Scottish Book Trust’s monthly 50-word story competition, where you can win a mug: more details HERE.