IAIN KELLY

A COUNTRY HUNT

Weak and broken, George stumbled on across the moor. The heavy mist that shrouded everything was a hindrance and a help – he couldn’t see where he was going, but neither could they find him.

He held onto his stomach where the blood flowed from the bullet wound. The hounds were getting closer again and he heard the distant horn call signalling that the hunt was on once more. He didn’t have enough energy for another chase.

Out of the mist the Lord’s country manor loomed. Servants who made it back would be spared – those were the rules of the game. No one had ever returned before.

George felt his legs go weak beneath him and stumbled over some roots. He felt the jagging prickles of a gorse bush slash at his skin as he fell to the ground. He heard the joyful whoops of the riders as they gathered round their prey.

*

At the front door of the manor, Samuel, the new House Boy, arrived to take up his new position.


photo-20161219154654337
© Joy Pixley

Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story, in around 150 words based on the weekly photo prompt. For more information visit HERE.

To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

34 responses to “A COUNTRY HUNT”

  1. Henrietta Watson Avatar

    A very good story. Thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks Henrietta.

      Like

      1. Henrietta Watson Avatar

        You are welcome!

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Ameena k.g Avatar

    The right mixture of mystery and spooky too. Poor Samuel, he has no idea what he is getting himself into. I have to confess tho, I was pleasantly surprised at the ending, I thought it was going to be a happy ending 😄, but I loved it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha, many thanks. I try to write a few happy endings, but I always seem to be drawn the other way! Thanks for reading 🙂

      Like

  3. angietrafford Avatar

    Now I feel better for not writing a cheery, festive tale myself! I love the idea of people hunting a servant. That is certainly one way to terminate a contract! Very well done 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Angie, not sure where the idea came from – let’s hope employers don’t think it’s a good way to cut staff! 🙂

      Like

  4. Priceless Joy Avatar

    Wow! So chilling and mysterious! A great write, Iain. It had me on the edge of my seat and the ending was a tear jerker!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks PJ, glad you liked it – I’m not sure it’s going to end well for Samuel either…

      Like

      1. Priceless Joy Avatar

        I enjoyed reading it, Iain!

        Liked by 1 person

  5. NK Avatar

    At first I was like, “Plot twist: George is a fox.” And then I remembered whose blog I was reading 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha, I take that as a compliment 🙂 . Although it’s bad enough for the foxes too. Thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. NK Avatar

        It totally is.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. James Avatar

    Well, that was certainly chilling. Poor Samuel.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Maybe he’ll fair better when it comes to his inevitable turn… Thanks for reading.

      Like

  7. Joy Pixley Avatar

    Oh no, George was so close! Almost succeeding at this horrible game makes failing that much more chilling. I could really feel his despair and see the scene — well written!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Joy, inspired by your prompt 🙂

      Like

  8. Graham Lawrence Avatar
    Graham Lawrence

    Very engaging!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Graham

      Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Maybe he’ll fair better… 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. shehannemoore Avatar

        Maybe he will…,

        Liked by 1 person

  9. J.A. Prentice Avatar

    Very atmospheric!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. neelwritesblog Avatar

    Heightened sense of anticipation. Very good build up and then the devilsh twist. Well written, Mr Kelly.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Very kind, thank you.

      Like

  11. momtheobscure Avatar

    This photo definitely called for this story. Very well told, quite chilling along the lines of Poe.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Quite a compliment, thank you very much.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. mandibelle16 Avatar
    mandibelle16

    It appears this picture has drawn out the sadness and darkness in all our writing. Poor George. It’s bad enough having to be a servant, but to be considered “huntable” because you’re a servant. The Lords obviously did not consider a servant a person, otherwise, they wouldn’t be hunting them. Great write!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Definitely all seeing it as a dark prompt! It’s the class society taken to the extreme, which doesn’t seem to far from the truth oddly 🙂 Thanks again

      Liked by 1 person

  13. creatingahome Avatar

    This is just horrid.
    Terrible human beings.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Hopefully it’s just fiction, but I wouldn’t be surprised if something like this happened somewhere in the world…

      Liked by 1 person

  14. luckyjc007 Avatar

    Great suspense. I kept hoping George would find a way to avoid his captors and I don’t even want to think about what they did to him! I’d like to think that Samuel would fair better, but I highly doubt it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      🙂 many thanks

      Liked by 1 person

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