THE PICTURE ON THE WALL

Another motel, another room, another picture on the wall. This one a broad wearing suspenders changing the tyre on a car. It wasn’t the worst one I’d seen.

Too many pillows on the bed. I picked one up and sat it on my lap, my back sat against the huge cushioned headboard.

The bedside lamp threw shadows up the wall and across the ceiling. It threw a shadow over the gun pointing at me from the corner of the room.

‘Been waiting long?’

‘Anytime spent in this dump is too long.’ she answered.

‘I’ve been in worse.’

She stood and slinked across the room. ‘Where is it?’

‘I was told to give it to Mickey.’

‘Mickey won’t be able to make it,’ her eyes flickered at the gun and I knew I wouldn’t ever see Mickey again.

‘What if I told you I don’t have it?’

The first look of doubt traced across that angular face. I heard the hammer on her gun click.

I didn’t wait to find out what happened next. The sound of my shot was muffled by the pillow on my lap.

She dropped to the floor with a red pool sprouting from her chest.

I hustled out of there. Time to find another room with another picture on the wall.


spf-july-8-2018-1-of-1
Copyright Susan Spaulding

Written as part of Sunday Photo Fiction. Write a story of around 200 words based on the photo prompt given (above). Hosted by Susan Spaulding. For more details visit HERE.

To read more of the stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.


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36 responses to “THE PICTURE ON THE WALL”

  1. Neat twist at the end there!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    That’s one bad ass guy you have created Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Survival of the fittest Michael

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Whew! Did not see that coming. Loved it!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. You set the scene so well – then everything changed., Excellent

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Scottish noir, gotta love it!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I think they call it Tartan Noir, but I’m not a fan of gangsters in kilts.

      Like

      1. Laughing. I am not a fan of everything Scottish being dubbed ‘Tartan’!

        Liked by 1 person

  6. I guess her number was called! Nice twist, Iian, enjoyed this.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Oh man that was nice!!! You’ve got a new fan!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much Violet 🙂

      Like

  8. A short thriller. Both parties are ready to shoot, only a matter of who fires first. Job done, move on.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Brilliant take on the prompt, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much Annie. Hope you are well 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I am well, Iain, thank you. I hope you are too 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  10. Some action-packed drama that is. I like your story, Lain.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Interesting story, Iain. It left me with a lot of wondering what happens next.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Shadows hide those extra lumps in a pillow…
    A fitting response 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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