‘What is it?’ Gheorghe asked, poking at the pieces with the end of his pen.
‘Bones, stripped bare of any flesh.’ answered Mihaela, the forensic officer in charge of the scene.
‘Human?’
‘Canine.’
Small blessing, Gheorghe thought. He had worked for the UN at the end of the Bosnian war. He had seen mass graves of human remains. Still, it was a crime and he was the detective on call. The tip-off had been anonymous.
He tried to pick a fragment of bone up. It crumbled in his gloved hand.
‘Brittle. They’re disintegrating.’ Mihaela remarked.
‘What would do that to bone?’
‘Hydrofluoric acid. Tests will tell us for sure.’
‘How many do you think?’
‘Looks like a few thousand, if each container had one inside it. We’re still opening them.’
Gheorghe turned away from the pungent chemical smell. It stank, but not as much as the scandal he had stumbled into the middle of.
The Mayor of Bucharest had promised to rid the city of stray dogs.
Now Gheorghe knew how he had done it.
Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story in around 150 – 175 words, based on the weekly photo prompt. Thanks as always to the challenge host Priceless Joy. For more information visit HERE.
To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
Iain Kelly 
Yes. We are still opening the cans of acid that disintegrate life. Research in process ….
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Thanks Reena.
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Poor dogs.. 😦
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I’m afraid so.
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Great story! Just a sad story.
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At least, it wasn’t part of a Chinese restaurant. Nice angle on the prompt, but I’m more of a cat person anyway.
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Is that cats as pets or cats as restaurant food?! Thanks Mark 🙂
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They are not fat enough for harvest yet
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Dastardly deeds in the name of politics!
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I know, who would believe such a thing could happen?! Thanks Liz.
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How can anyone be do cruel and callous?
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I’m afraid we humans have stooped much lower than this on many occasions through history.
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Unfortunately you’re right.
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This just proves man is the cruelest of all life forms. Good writing, Kelly.
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Was it ever in any doubt? Thanks Neel.
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A most interesting response Iain, loved your reasoning.
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Thanks Michael
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Yikes. Poor dogs. On the other hand, feral animals are dangerous. A difficult call.
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Pragmatism versus compassion.
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I hope that they do not find bigger containers, for I fear for anyone he does not like,
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Good point, now he has a taste for it.
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Oh horrible, but at the same time, a good story! Just very glad it was fiction! A big dog lover here! We had 4 dogs at one time for awhile. That got a little crazy, but you gotta love them! 🙂
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It’s a practical solution, with little waste, but not very compassionate. Hopefully it remains a work of fiction.
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Efficiency is a double-edged sword!
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Efficient, but lacking in compassion somewhat! Thanks for reading.
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Yeah, that’s what I meant, he was efficient, so many would have celebrated him, but at what cost? 😦
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Feel like calling up Animal Help line…poor dogs!
Very creative take Ian.
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Thank you – no real dogs were harmed in the writing of this story!
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Sticks and stones may hurt my bones… but acid?
Click to read my FFfAW!
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Yes, I imagine it would sting a little…
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Scandalous! I am seething after reading this. You went for the jugular, Iain. Good job!
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I think you have the right response to the story. Thanks Pamela.
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