Nothing sinister or suspect.

Samson looked out at the row of bungalows. A car drove past, a dog barked, the trees swayed in the breeze.

He stepped inside the house, walking through the hallway, glancing in each room.

No signs of disturbance.

She lived here alone. Late last night, a call from neighbours reporting screaming.

In the backyard a huge oak tree dominated. Samson walked up to it, feeling the cracked bark.

He walked round the wide trunk. His hand felt a sticky, dark excretion. His fingertips were red. He looked up.

A large hollow. He had found her.

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

Read more stories featuring Detective Samson: THE DETECTIVE SAMSON STORIES