Nathaniel stepped gingerly into the darkened office. The presence was palpable, like static electricity in the air.
He heard a crash. His heart pounded. Maddie stepped out of the tiny kitchen and flicked on the hall light.
“Don’t be frightened, Nathan. It is only little me bumbling to make coffee. It is freezing outside. Where’s your jacket?”
He remembered. Instead, he thought up a plausible lie for absolutely no reason other than because he could.
Welcome to “Flash in the Pan”
This week’s word is frightened. Today’s flash comes in on the nose at 75 words, the upper limit for January.
Admission: I cheated a bit with this flash. Nathaniel Elias and Maddie are characters from my book, Darkness Introduced. There you will find out why Nathan has no reason to lie to Maddie. I will give you this tidbit: Maddie is definitely not Nathaniel’s wife.
If you would like to join in the flash fiction challenge for the spring quarter, grab the Flash in the Pan page from the lower menu bar. The whys and wherefores are listed there. This quarter’s theme is off to a running start. On opening day, two flashes were already awaiting the new book in the SIB.
Get as many as you can, in whichever order you like, just be sure to do it before 31MAR13, since that is the deadline for closing the third edition of FTP. Be sure to catch the Hot Flash words out at the beginning of each month. They will be in addition to the weekly words and carry a 50 word maximum.
Stop by and pick up a copy of the first edition at the RedmundPro Book Store. The second edition will be out in just a couple weeks. A fairy we all know and love seems to be certain the early birds may get one sooner.
Happy Flashing!
Where did Nathaniel leave his jacket? Why would be lie to her? Who is Maddie? Have you gotten a copy of Darkness Introduced? Are you flashing this quarter?
Laurie
/ January 20, 2013His mistress??
Laurie recently posted..Frightened (75)
Red
/ January 20, 2013Good guess, but I am giggling. 😉 She is definitely not his mistress.
jennygoth
/ January 20, 2013sorry havent caught up yet red but i may one day thanks for visit and nice message emily is sweet and loved her birthday present the pink boots lol such a lot to see and read here but i promise il stay to read it xjen
jennygoth recently posted..Freshly Pressed: Friday Faves
Red
/ January 20, 2013So glad you stopped by for a visit. Enjoy yourself. xxx
Geoff
/ January 22, 2013His Auntie I think? 🙂 xxx
Red
/ January 24, 2013No, but you are on the right track.
Binky
/ January 20, 2013His adopted Wombie?
Binky recently posted..The Advancement of Civilization
Red
/ January 20, 2013Wombies make coffee?
Binky
/ January 21, 2013Your Claret only makes lattes? You need to have full-service Wombies.
Binky recently posted..Negatives And Positives
Red
/ January 21, 2013That or have you and Bruno invent some robot Wombies.
Binky
/ January 22, 2013Sounds like a worthy project.
Binky recently posted..Negatives And Positives
Red
/ January 24, 2013I think so, too!
Wendy Reid
/ January 20, 2013Nice flash Red. 🙂 xo
Wendy Reid recently posted..Top 5 Things That Make A Man Irresistable
Red
/ January 21, 2013Thank you! I have read your list and need to come comment. Your #2 is my #1 <3 xxx
prenin
/ January 20, 2013Hmmm… Not his wife or mistress…
His Mum??? LoL!!!
Love and hugs at 2.17am – I REALLY need to get some sleep!!! 🙂
Prenin.
prenin recently posted..Saturday – Cold, cold day.
Red
/ January 21, 2013I hope you have rested…you have work in the inbox!
prenin
/ January 22, 2013Yep: Caught it last night before bed and sent the reply about an hour and a half ago – I’m feeling shaky, but OK.
Love and hugs!
Prenin.
prenin recently posted..Monday – A trip to the pharmacy.
Red
/ January 24, 2013No shakes. All confidence!
BuddhaKat
/ January 21, 2013oooooooooo…. you are so good… let’s see… first I thought sister, then I thought, like Prenin, Mother. She’s probably his daughter. Have I covered everything? Don’t give it away if I did guess, since I made so many guesses. I couldn’t help myself.
😉
have a good Monday, Red. It’s FRIGID here and forcasted windchills of -25F or lower today… brrrrrrr..
BuddhaKat recently posted..The Fractalization of Friday
Red
/ January 21, 2013Ugh! I had the AC on today because it was too warm in here! xxx
My Inner Chick
/ January 21, 2013–Red,
I love your flashes. You can say MUCH w/ so little! Xxxx Kisssssssss from COLD MN.
My Inner Chick recently posted..Dancing With The Goddess
Red
/ January 21, 2013You and BuddhaKat in that frigidness. Brrrr. <3 xxx
Tess Kann
/ January 21, 2013My first thought was Nathaniel was a young lad. Now I’m stumped. Hmm. You sure know how to stir up the old grey matter. Of course I need to have answers…
Tantalizing snippet.
Tess Kann recently posted..What a Girl’s Gotta Do…
Red
/ January 21, 2013I thought you might like this one. Nathaniel is a doctor, so definitely not as young as you might think 😉 xxx
Geoff
/ January 21, 2013There is nothing like a good slave, or is that a naughty slave? 🙂 Well either way it all sounds rather wicked to me Red and I have enjoyed reading your FTP tonight, as I do most evenings 🙂
Have a wonderful
rest of evening Red 🙂
Geoff xxx
Red
/ January 21, 2013Aye, both. Yet, the question remains…who is who?
Novroz
/ January 22, 2013is maddie Nathan’s sister?
Novroz recently posted..The Mighty Boosh Live
Red
/ January 24, 2013*giggles* No. xxx