IAIN KELLY

DELIRIOUS

I follow her into the house.

I grip the axe tightly with both hands.

The door bangs behind me and the cold night air evaporates.

It is claustrophobic and dusty and dark. With each step, old floorboards creak.

I hear the laughter of a small child. It sounds like my Jasmine, dead these last ten years.

A flash of bridal-white dress. A floating veil. I turn and look.

She rushes towards me. I swing the axe.

‘My darling,’ she cries, before the heavy metal blade slices through her jugular.

Blood sprays everywhere.

This time I prey she stays dead.

ted-s
Copyright Ted Strutz

Written for Friday Fictioneers 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.

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106 responses to “DELIRIOUS”

  1. Diary of a Dublin housewife Avatar
    Diary of a Dublin housewife

    Yikes 😱

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      That was the reaction I was looking for 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. Reena Saxena Avatar
    Reena Saxena

    Intriguing tale! Was it a spirit or living bride? And did that liberate Jasmine?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Many questions. Thanks Reena

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    Gruesome ghouly one, Iain. Was the misspelling of pray deliberate?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I’m going to say subconsciously deliberate. Thanks Neil

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. trishsplace Avatar
    trishsplace

    Bloody tale. Spine tinglingly good!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Trish 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  5. Shweta Suresh Avatar
    Shweta Suresh

    Oh that last line!

    Like

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Shweta 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    It seems Ted’s photo has brought out the ghosties this week. 😉 Creep-tastic story.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s a great prompt. Thanks Rochelle, hope you enjoyed your well=earned break 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  7. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    Intriguing. The bridal flash was inspirational.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Sandra, much appreciated.

      Like

      Reply
  8. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    So good, Iain. Love the feel that this is an on-going “problem”… even if we don’t know the why.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Dale, he does seem to know what he’s doing, as though he’s had plenty of practice.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        So interesting…

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Tannille Avatar
    Tannille

    I hate it when they don’t stay dead. 😀
    Gripping story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Pesky, those ghosts that keep hanging around 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. lbeth1950 Avatar
    lbeth1950

    Wow! Good and creepy.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  11. justjoyfulness Avatar
    justjoyfulness

    Ouch! That was graphic! And well-told. The child’s laugh was a nice touch.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  12. Anita Avatar
    Anita

    She was for real?
    Real blood?
    Terrible to stay with such memories and experiences…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Or all in his head? An innocent victim? I’ve created more questions than answers!

      Like

      Reply
  13. Michele Jones Avatar
    Michele Jones

    Wow. Didn’t expect that end. Nicely done. Hopefully this isn’t an eternal loop.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Michele – he does seem to be a bit stuck.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Liz Young Avatar
    Liz Young

    I’m not sure what happened here – did he kill both bride and child ten years ago?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s one possibility. You can decide.

      Like

      Reply
  15. notestowomen Avatar
    notestowomen

    Creepy tale and the last line tells me that he’s been there before. It reminds me of that Star Trek: TNG episode when they were caught in a loop.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I haven’t seen much Star Trek, but he could have a space age stun gun instead of an axe in a future episode 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. notestowomen Avatar
        notestowomen

        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  16. granonine Avatar
    granonine

    Horror story, indeed. How many times had he killed her before? What a terrible way to live!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Perhaps never, perhaps lots, perhaps it’s all in his head, perhaps he kills a different woman each time. Could go a few ways. Thanks Linda.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. Bernadette Braganza Avatar
    Bernadette Braganza

    Gripping tale.
    PS: In the last line shouldn’t prey be pray?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It should, but as Neil pointed out, it kind of adds something to it worth the double meaning 🙂

      Like

      Reply
      1. Bernadette Braganza Avatar
        Bernadette Braganza

        😀

        Liked by 1 person

  18. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar
    Brenda’s Thoughts

    I still have goose bumps. Wonderful creepy tale. Hope he’ll finally have some peace.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Brenda – but I don’t fancy his chances! 😉

      Like

      Reply
  19. Dora Avatar
    Dora

    Chilling tale. Made me think for a moment about “Kill Bill” and the bridal massacre. ~Dora

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Dora

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  20. msjadeli Avatar
    msjadeli

    You did this horror story up right. Between you and Sandra, I’m already seeing a trend. Ted gave us a good one to use for the genre 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yep, I was aiming for a good old fashioned bit of gory horror 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. msjadeli Avatar
        msjadeli

        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  21. pensitivity101 Avatar
    pensitivity101

    Good grief!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Going all out this week! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. pensitivity101 Avatar
        pensitivity101

        ha!

        Liked by 1 person

  22. Nobbinmaug Avatar
    Nobbinmaug

    Who’s really the prey in this story? They seem to be hunting each other.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      That is exactly it.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  23. bearmkwa Avatar
    bearmkwa

    devilish! might want to change prey to pray though.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you. Might, but might not – see the earlier comments! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  24. joyroses13 Avatar
    joyroses13

    Oh my gosh!!! I kept telling myself it wasn’t as it seemed, he wouldn’t hurt her that you would have a twist! But……!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Nope, just a full on bit of horror 😉

      Like

      Reply
      1. joyroses13 Avatar
        joyroses13

        Haha! Just when I thought to know what to expect from you!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar
        Iain Kelly

        Yes, I don’t do horror and gore much, but it’s nice to try once in a while 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      3. joyroses13 Avatar
        joyroses13

        Always good to branch out 🙂 even if it shocks your readers! LOL!

        Liked by 1 person

  25. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar
    theministryofshrawleywalks

    Viscious stuff!! Brutal

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I was going for a bit of full on gory horror 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar
        theministryofshrawleywalks

        Excellent, I can read it but couldn’t watch it.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar
        Iain Kelly

        Not a fan of horror films either!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar
        theministryofshrawleywalks

        me neither, Mrs T watched Hostel which I bought for a fiver in Tescos years ago, we had to give it away it was so awful

        Liked by 1 person

  26. doodletllc Avatar
    doodletllc

    Frightening – Like watching a scary movies with ears covered but eyes wide open – I was waiting for the ghost child to appear, but glad she didn’t. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      She hasn’t appeared…yet 😉

      Like

      Reply
  27. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    feels like a Halloween movie. don’t know if i can sleep well tonight. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Ha, hope I haven’t given you nightmares!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  28. Paula Sue Bryant, Writer Avatar
    Paula Sue Bryant, Writer

    Well, the last line kind of made me forgive him!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It does seem like he’s been through a lot 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  29. J.A. Prentice Avatar
    J.A. Prentice

    Great atmosphere. Love the contrast of “‘My darling,’ she cries, before the heavy metal blade slices through her jugular.”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Ha, thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  30. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    Crumbs! A previous failed attempt? A ghost hunter? He seems quite practised at this task anyway!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Very adept with an axe – you have to wonder why?!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  31. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    Oooooooo great twist, Iain… good and evil twist and dance in the shadows… but which is which?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Maybe there is no good on either side!

      Like

      Reply
  32. Moumita De Sarkar Avatar
    Moumita De Sarkar

    I feel she is going to haunt him…again.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      And again. Thank you 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  33. Keith's Ramblings Avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    Wow, a hundred words of horror! Absolutely brilliant Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Keith

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  34. Danny James Avatar
    Danny James

    I bet she returns!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Oh definitely! Thanks Danny.

      Like

      Reply
  35. siobhan1967 Avatar
    siobhan1967

    ooh, what a shocker! Love a gory take on the prompt, this was great.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Siobhan, glad you liked it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  36. pennygadd51 Avatar
    pennygadd51

    Super story, with a great and thought-provoking twist. There was an echo of CE Ayr in the use of short staccato sentences (but only an echo – the style was all your own)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Oh yes, this was firmly in CE territory this one 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  37. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar
    Inside the Mind of Isadora

    I was on the edge of my seat as I read this, Iain. YIKES … I hope that did the trick since blood was everywhere. Next time, perhaps, a stake through the heart. 😳
    Have a wonderful day … Be Safe
    Isadora 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      He may have to try a new tactic. Thanks for the suggestion 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  38. subroto Avatar
    subroto

    A story befitting the prompt indeed. Prey works quite well with the story 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      A happy mistake 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  39. Sue Avatar
    Sue

    Wow! I love a good thriller! That last line was brilliant 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much Sue 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  40. wmqcolby Avatar
    wmqcolby

    Wow! Talk about having a bad day …

    I went a similar route on this one, too. Lots of good stuff in there, Iain. Very “cutting” edge. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      🙂

      Like

      Reply
  41. Bill Avatar
    Bill

    Excellent, Iain. The story does intrigue with wonder of the backstory. I like the visual structure and layout. Well done.

    “This time I prey she stays dead.” Indeed.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Bill, much appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  42. Girl in Niagara Avatar
    Girl in Niagara

    Very creepy. How many times has he tried to get rid of her?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I’m not even sure he’s still counting 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  43. Stine Writing Avatar
    Stine Writing

    Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh! Wow, what a short story. And this time she “stays” dead. Super creepy.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you – just the reaction I was looking for! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Stine Writing Avatar
        Stine Writing

        Don’t you love it when someone reacts exactly the way you had envisioned?

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar
        Iain Kelly

        I do – I wish it happened more often! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Stine Writing Avatar
        Stine Writing

        I guess you need the right followers! I’ll stop back more often.

        Liked by 1 person

  44. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    I doubt she will leave him alone now.. next time she will be even more haunting

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s developing into an eternal battle I feel.

      Like

      Reply
  45. Woman walking Max Avatar
    Woman walking Max

    Chilling tale, the mood inside the house was claustrophobic and airless. Made me think of vampires – perhaps she needed a stake through the heart ?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      A change of tactic maybe what he needs!

      Like

      Reply
  46. kimbladeswritingblog Avatar
    kimbladeswritingblog

    Very atmospheric, Iain, I felt as if I was watching it happen!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Kim

      Like

      Reply

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