Lucas finished folding the paper dragon and added it to the pile in the middle of the empty room.
Three hundred and sixty-five paper dragons. Three hundred and sixty-five days since he had last chased the dragon. A whole year clean. Three hundred and sixty-five days since Angie had chased the dragon too hard and followed it to another realm.
He looked out the window. Midday and in the broad daylight they were still there. A steady stream of customers came and went. The dealers were teenagers. He couldn’t believe they were innocent but did they realise how they were ruining people’s lives? Marcus was the real blight, the local gang leader who controlled the drugs on the street.
He struck a match and lit his last cigarette. The match sailed threw the air and landed on the paper dragons. The fire caught, the dragons breathed. Lucas picked up the large kitchen knife, the only weapon he had.
He knew he wouldn’t get to Marcus. His bodyguards would take him down before he got anywhere close. He didn’t care. If he died in the attempt he would be with Angie again.
Closing the door on the burning house he stepped out into the street.
Written as part of Sunday Photo Fiction. Write a story of around 200 words based on the photo prompt given (above). Hosted by Al Forbes. For more details visit HERE.
‘Chasing the dragon’ is a slang term for drug use – Wikipedia.
To read more stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
A powerful story Iain. Violence is never the answer, but sometimes it needs to be the punctuation.
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Thanks, I like that, nice comment 🙂
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Huge metaphorical tale full of vivid imagery. The lure of drugs has lead to a lot many lives being extinguished. Superbly written Lain.
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Thanks Neel, glad you appreciated the use of imagery.
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good use of slang and symbolic paper dragons – it is a horrible disease and while I would not condone violence I think I understand his need to make meaning of Angie’s passing, even himself as sacrifice – very emotionally charged story Iain.
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Thank you, glad you took so much from it.
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A gripping story. Sometimes even an apparently futile gesture can have meaning.
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Thanks Steve, that’s a nice summation of his actions.
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Excellent Iain. Very powerful and a great use of the dragon
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Thanks Shehanne, I’m not sure what it says that the picture of a piece of origami took such a dark twist!
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LMAO… Embrace the dark side. I think there is nowt wrong with a dark twist
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“The fire caught, the dragons breathed. ” I really liked this line, turning the dragon’s fiery breath around on them.
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Thanks Kecia, my favourite line in the story too, glad you liked it.
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Wow, quite the thriller this week, Iain.
Very well done,
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Thank you, appreciate a ‘wow’ comment 🙂
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Well done.
Perhaps, next time–if there is a next time–Lucas could fold paper cranes?
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Ha, yes, or swans if he survives!
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Terrific stuff Iain. I was hanging on your every word.
Click to read my story
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Thanks Keith.
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I like it a lot. In fact, my first thought after reading your story yesterday, was simply to write mine with a change of effect of lighting the dragons on fire (the result would have been 365 fiery dragons on the attack).
In the end, I chose to write a more original piece.
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Thanks James. That would be a great image as the dragons took their revenge!
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Excellent. A lot of underlying emotion. Love the setting the dragons on fire….breathing fire. Well done!
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Thanks Sascha, always appreciate your cmments 🙂
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Interesting story using the slang. I’m sad that he was able to beat his addiction but the woman he loved did not. That he is probably going to end up losing his life to make a point and take out some of these drug sellers. It seems to me, Angie wouldn’t have wanted him to go down this way after overcoming so much.
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Nice allegory. I like so much about it but especially some of the very distinct details. 365 paper dragons, the last cigarette being lit and the catalyst for the battle. Great attention to detail.
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Thanks Nancy, always welcome your comments.
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Loved this story Iain – very well done.
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Thanks Dahlia, appreciate your kind comment.
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