IAIN KELLY

IN THE ROAD

Maisie smacked her head against the window as the car rocked down the main street.

‘Thought they just fixed these potholes? Didn’t do a very good job.’

‘Maisie.’

‘Every year this road gets worse.’

‘Maisie.’

‘Cracks turn to massive holes in the road.’

‘Maisie. Stop and look.’

‘We end up with tyres blown out.’

‘Maisie, what am I pointing at?’

‘And then the suspension will go.’

‘For the love of God, Maisie, look at the road.’

‘There’s no need for that tone. Why have you stopped?’

‘Because of the rhinoceros.’

‘Because of the what?’ Maisie turned her head from Harry to the windscreen.

‘I think it’s going to charge.’ Harry put the car into reverse and started a creeping retreat.

The rhino lowered it’s head, took two steps and then picked up speed.

‘Floor it!’ screamed Maisie.

Harry did, spinning down a side street as the rhino hurtled passed.

‘Lucky escape,’ Maisie sighed.

Thud. The car lurched and tilted. They heard the rubber tyre flapping.

‘Think we hit a pothole,’ Harry said.


photo-20180205154613659
Copyright Yinglan

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.

36 responses to “IN THE ROAD”

  1. athling2001 Avatar

    Threw me for a turn with the entrance of the rhino. Funny story!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks, a bit of surreal fun this week 🙂

      Like

  2. Priceless Joy Avatar

    LOL! Seems the pothole was the least of their worries. Hahaha! Glad they got away even if they did get a flat tire. Cute story, Iain! I like how you used the prompt photo!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you PJ, a bit of fun this week 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Priceless Joy Avatar

        Yes, you did! LOL!

        Liked by 1 person

  3. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    Potholes are nasty, but next time I complain to my local council, I am going to tell them about the rhinoceros .

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Might as well try it and see if it makes them come round and fix them for a change!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. neeltheauthor- author of WHEN LIFE THROWS THOSE CURVE BALLS Avatar

    Battling first[pot holes and now rhinos as well. Good story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Neel, a light-hearted piece this time.

      Like

  5. Akshata Ram Avatar

    That was a narrow escape

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Not from the pesky pothole 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  6. JS Brand Avatar

    This was a clever and funny take Iain. “Dodge the Pothole” couldn’t compete with Grand Theft Auto as a console game, but if you add a rhinoceros …

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Adding a rhino to any story is always a good thing 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. JS Brand Avatar

        That must be true – it’s there in black and white!

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Varad Avatar

    Should have gone for a bakkie. A car won’t cut it in rhino country.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      And it is the rhino’s country too.

      Like

  8. Moon Avatar
    Moon

    What a nightmare of a ride it must have been!
    Wonderful story ( as always)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Moon, just a bit of fun with this one 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Sarah Ann Avatar
    Sarah Ann

    Lovely characterisation. I imagine Harry doesn’t often get his words said or heard.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      No, he spends a lot of time being ignored 🙂

      Like

  10. Norma Avatar

    What an escape! But still stuck, I guess. Funny story, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Norma, something a bit lighter

      Like

  11. James Avatar

    Better a pothole than a rhino.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      In most cases, yep.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Meena Avatar

    Hoo! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Indeed 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  13. EagleAye Avatar

    I’m thinking the local government ought to worry about the rhinos first. There’s more than a flat tire at stake there. I love the way you built up the arrival of the rhino. You’ve still got me smiling.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I appreciate a smile 🙂 I bet the council still gets more complaints about the pot holes than the rhinos though.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. anuragbakhshi Avatar

    Ha ha ha ha, the poor guys just can’t catch a break!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Stumbling from one pot hole to the next 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    I’ve dodged many a deer and hit far too many potholes but nothing quite like this! Nice one Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thankfully not too many rhinos on the roads round here! Thanks Keith.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. afairymind Avatar

    I hope they don’t run into any more rhinos, they might not manage to get away with their tyre in tatters! A wonderfully bizarre story, Iain. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Nona Avatar

    Well, THAT was unexpected. Those pesky rhinos. Maybe I need one to gaurd my neighborhood road, cause the potholes don’t stop people from coming by too fast.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha, a great form of traffic control 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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