IAIN KELLY

THE LAMPLIGHTER

He struggled to push the cart through the thick snow and cursed winter, the short days and the long nights.

He leaned his ladder against a lamppost and climbed. The gas ignited and a shivering orange glow lit the white scene.

White and red.

The body lay under a nearby tree. He scared a fox away as he approached it.

A woman. The Ripper again?

The crunch of footsteps in the snow. A passing policeman.

‘Officer!’ He waved to get his attention.

Too late, he noticed the stain of red on the uniform, illuminated by the orange glow from the lamp.

Copyright Dale Rogerson

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.

78 responses to “THE LAMPLIGHTER”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    A timely story, Iain. It made me think of the drunk cop who assaulted the woman in Bidford last week

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Neil, glad you made the connection to recent events.

      Like

      Reply
  2. Sadje Avatar
    Sadje

    You’ve written it so well, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Sadje 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Sadje Avatar
        Sadje

        You’re welcome

        Liked by 1 person

  3. ceayr Avatar
    ceayr

    I thought immediately of the Met officer in Kent.
    Neat story too, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks CE, the intention was deliberate.

      Like

      Reply
  4. Anita Avatar
    Anita

    Terrible moment. Poor man.
    Hope he is not falsely implicated in her murder!
    What to do & whom to trust when those who are supposed to protect the law, flout the rules?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      A very apt question for today. Thanks Anita.

      Like

      Reply
  5. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    Knowing nothing about recent events in Kent, I still thought it was an atmospheric, well-constructed piece.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Rochelle, it was written to make sense with or without the knowledge of recent events (a woman was killed while walking home late at night in London and her body found in Kent a week later, a police officer has been charged with her murder).

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    Timely piece. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Sandra

      Like

      Reply
  7. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    I did not expect the link, to the sad event in Kent.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Michael, it can be read with or without the link in mind, but it was a reflection of it.

      Like

      Reply
  8. Tannille Avatar
    Tannille

    Ooo now that’s a twist. I guess he’s next?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s unlikely our killer is going to let him walk away unscathed!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Tannille Avatar
        Tannille

        Hope the better man wins. It would make a great novel.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Zelda Rene Avatar
    Zelda Rene

    Well done in every way–atmospheric, suspenseful, and very disturbing. In the US we’ve been overwhelmed with violence yet again–and distrust of police plays a large part.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Absolutely the same here, although I do try and temper my thoughts on the police with the caution that their actions in many cases are dictated from the lawmakers and leaders who set the tone for what follows.

      Like

      Reply
      1. Zelda Rene Avatar
        Zelda Rene

        You’re so right about that, Iain–what we’re hearing as this “trial of the century” is about to begin here, the defense will include that the officer was “following procedure”…but too bad a man had to die. There need to be changes in the system.

        Liked by 1 person

  10. trentpmcd Avatar
    trentpmcd

    Ooops… I hope Mr. Lamplighter is a good sprinter! It is difficult when those who are supposed to protect become those who we need to be protected from…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      A quandary that is prevalent to this day. Thanks Trent.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. magickmermaid Avatar
    magickmermaid

    Good twist at the end! I hope the lamplighter is able to escape!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Sadly, I don’t fancy his chances in the snow! Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. Pradeep Avatar
    Pradeep

    Sad for a life lost.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Like

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

    It’s a sorry situation when we need protecting from those who should protect us. A timely take Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Keith – a sorry mess we’re in indeed.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Liz H Avatar
    Liz H

    Oh now this is a drabble that starts with a full-on run!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Liz, glad you liked it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. Dora Avatar
    Dora

    I like this take on the Ripper which you’ve set up so brilliantly. What better camouflage than as a policeman, perhaps even a real policeman?! A better theory than Prince Albert anyway :>)

    Like

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Ha, yeah, I’m not buying the Prince Albert theory at all. Thanks Dora.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  16. granonine Avatar
    granonine

    It’s not just the snow that leaves a cold sense of foreboding. I think he’s just lit his last lamp.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      For sure, thanks Linda.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. msjadeli Avatar
    msjadeli

    Iain, you wrote this just right. The ending, where he saw the blood on the uniform in the orange light, was truly chilling.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you! Very kind.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. msjadeli Avatar
        msjadeli

        You’re welcome.

        Liked by 1 person

  18. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    Oh what a horrible thing to discover. And very timely, from the comments (didn’t hear about it on this side of the pond).

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Dale. The incident itself has gone on to cause a lot of protests, particularly by woman, which has led to further controversy with the police. It has not been handled at all well by those in charge – as we are becoming used to.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        Oh man… police brutality of all sorts happening all over the world. Not a good thing.

        Liked by 1 person

  19. AshleyDannie Avatar
    AshleyDannie

    Wow! What a twist! I like it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much!

      Like

      Reply
  20. Bear Avatar
    Bear

    An idyllic scene, sudden not so idyllic after all. Good one!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  21. jenne49 Avatar
    jenne49

    You really build up the atmosphere, Iain, right into the twist at the end.What a good story. And yes, the sad parallel with our day.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks, much appreciated.

      Like

      Reply
  22. Nova Avatar
    Nova

    How unfortunate that kindness is so easily disregarded under ignorance of assumption.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Ignorance and assumption are two of the biggest blights on our society today.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Nova Avatar
        Nova

        You are not kidding =(

        Like

  23. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar
    Na’ama Yehuda

    Shudder, shudder … and not from the cold …
    Well crafted, Iain! (and … I don’t like that policeman….)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      No, nobody does! Thanks so much.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar
        Na’ama Yehuda

        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  24. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar
    theministryofshrawleywalks

    Very apt, and very relevant unfortunately. Brilliant stuff Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Like

      Reply
  25. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    The very person who’s supposed to keep us safe… very topical.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

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

    I hadn’t read about the Kent incident. Still, the story made an impact. Well written, Kelly.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Neel

      Like

      Reply
  27. Liz Young Avatar
    Liz Young

    Good timely story – my world has been rocked in recent years by the realisation that we cannot automatically trust the police.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s going to take them a long time, if ever, to rebuild the sort of trust they once had with the public.

      Like

      Reply
  28. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar
    Alicia Jamtaas

    The first line took me to Wow! a story about a lamplighter, what fun! then the horrid idea of a dead body was presented. So very well don.

    Like

    Reply
  29. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    a murderer in uniform. he’ll be caught for sure but when is the question.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      But will he? He now has a lamplighter to frame!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  30. Woman walking Max Avatar
    Woman walking Max

    A well written story with topical resonances sadly.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Like

      Reply
  31. ahtdoucette Avatar
    ahtdoucette

    Uh-oh. Maybe that’s why he never got caught. Well written.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s one theory for sure. Thanks Anne

      Like

      Reply
  32. Susan St.Pierre Avatar
    Susan St.Pierre

    Yikes! Wonderful story!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Susan

      Like

      Reply
  33. athling2001 Avatar
    athling2001

    Whoops! Lovely story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Like

      Reply
  34. Nobbinmaug Avatar
    Nobbinmaug

    Perfect pacing and excellent twist. You squeezed a lot into that. I hadn’t heard about the murder in Kent but was still able to enjoy the story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks so much

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  35. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    Ooooo oh oh. The killer may have another body this week. Well done

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Laurie

      Like

      Reply
  36. jwdwrites Avatar
    jwdwrites

    Very topical, between the trial of George Floyd’s killer in America and the policeman accused of killing Sarah Everard. The shivering orange glow was particularly nice. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks so much, yes, a reflection on modern times.

      Like

      Reply

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