IAIN KELLY

DOWN IN THE VALLEY

Down in the valley where nobody should go, Franklin shuffled along in the gloom, making his way back home, dragging the body behind him.

Pesky kid. Why had they come here? Still, more fuel for the living room fire and a handsome dinner tonight.

No doubt someone would come looking, snooping around. He would have to hide out in the hills until they left.

Probably here on spring break, tourists, always looking in places they shouldn’t. The locals never ventured down in the valley where nobody should go.

The last time they came they were looking for his parents. They didn’t find them, or Franklin. He watched them for days until they finally left.

Since then they left him alone. He had learned to survive on his own. His parents had taught him well before he decided he didn’t want them around anymore.

And every now and then he would leave the valley and hunt for some fresh meat. The rabbits and cats and stray dogs were nice enough, but sometimes he felt like a change.

Down in the valley where nobody should go, Franklin arrived at his wooden shack. Time to get the fire going and look out Mother’s old recipe book.


mist-at-sunrise

This is a response to the Thursday Photo Prompt – Valley curated over at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. Click on the link to read other stories inspired by the image.

35 responses to “DOWN IN THE VALLEY”

  1. joyroses13 Avatar

    I think I will stay away from the valley!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Me too – it all went a bit dark there!

      Like

      1. joyroses13 Avatar

        Yeah, just a bit. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Sue Vincent Avatar

    Reblogged this on Sue Vincent's Daily Echo and commented:
    First in this week…

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Sue Vincent Avatar

    ‘A bit dark’? That has to be the understatement of the year 🙂
    Nicely done though, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yes, I’m not really sure what happened, I’m having a lovely, relaxing day as well, so there’s no real reason for it! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sue Vincent Avatar

        Sometimes things lurk beneath the surface 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  4. TanGental Avatar

    Glad you’ve gone all fluffy Easter bunny boiler with this one

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yes, Happy Easter one and all! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  5. thelonelyauthorblog Avatar

    Good write for the challenge.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. quiall Avatar

    Deliciously creepy!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you – I creeped myself a bit 🙂

      Like

  7. anuragbakhshi Avatar

    A very happy Easter to you too Iain 🙂
    On a more serious note, this was dark as hell, but good fun 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  8. James Avatar

    Well, he’s a nasty one. Time to invent a rough and tough hero to go hunting and clean out that valley.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s set up nicely for a hero to emerge. Thanks James.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. MythRider Avatar

    Oh my gruesome. But well written.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Vivian Zems Avatar

    Good one. Franklin should team up with Gordo and Helga (my- last week’s cannibals)…some new recipes await.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      A cook book perhaps? 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Vivian Zems Avatar

        Yes! Yes!…..although marketing the book might be problematic. 😂😂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        All about finding a niche! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  11. The Mom Who Runs Avatar

    Excellent! Intriguing right away and engaging. You know you should look away…but can’t 😬

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you – I’m not sure I want to write what else he gets up to…!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks for the reblog – much appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. OIKOSâ„¢-Redaktion Avatar

        Thank you for posting, and the permission to read and reblog. Have a good weekend ahead. Michael

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Sarah Ann Avatar
    Sarah Ann

    Hmm, well this is a bit dark. I’m left wondering what Franklin’s parents did wrong so he saw them off, but then again, taking their child away from civilisation to live as such a small unit is bound to have psychological consequences. Another great story telling so much and leaving us thinking.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Sarah Ann. Yes, a bit too dark perhaps!

      Like

  13. Norma Avatar

    Mmh…wondering what’s getting cooked this time?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      A little stew perhaps? 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  14. freiedenkerin Avatar

    Uuuuuuuh, very scary…

    Liked by 1 person

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