AFTERMATH

~ Iain Kelly

Pale skin made her standout. Too many heads turned in her direction.

Assassinations make people suspicious. Years of civil war did that to a country.

The heat was heavy and oppressive.

The hotel, a ramshackle construction of tin roofs and wooden struts, teetering on collapse.

The receptionist, red lips and false eyelashes, eyed her as she entered, but didn’t try to stop her.

Crumbling stairs to the top floor.

On the bed he lay, sweat-stained and feverish. Makeshift rags as bandages, drenched in red.

Eyes flickered recognition. ‘About time,’ Phillips mumbled.

‘Let’s get you out of here,’ she replied.

js-brand
Copyright JS Brand

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.

Further stories featuring the spy Phillips can be found here: THE PHILLIPS SPY STORIES

 

Published by Iain Kelly

39 year old writer, avid film viewer and book reader, employed in the media industry as a television editor.

98 thoughts on “AFTERMATH”

  9. I want to know more about the female agent who’s ‘rescuing’ Phillips. She might not live long, I fear, if she’s aware of being too pale and hasn’t remedied that with make-up! Graphic description, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

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  21. No doubt. That hotel looks like somewhere a spy, particularly an injured one, will go to lick his wounds. It’s a good thing she found him…I think. I half expected her to finish him off.

    Liked by 1 person

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  24. This definitely has the flavour of a spy or intrigue. Well done. And your line descriptors add to the genre noire style. Made good use of that particular effect. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  38. Such evocative imagery and scene setting. I felt Phillips could have been a bit more grateful for his rescue, but I accept he’s limited by the word count. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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