By Raymond Sloan
Clarence walked his dog on a different route each night, stopping at Christmas displays as bright and loud as a Super Bowl halftime. He watched families through their window—imagining the presents they bought their children, where they bought them, when they retired for the evening.
When he’d thoroughly observed each route and figured his quickest way out, he collared the old mutt one last time, and returned him to the shelter where he’d rescued him.
He then waited until dark in the alley, marking time with a smoke, before returning to the first street and visiting the houses once more.
This has an obliqueness I like, a nice creep factor. I can see it being breathed into, expanded out to short story length, but you’ve taken the 101 word challenge and managed to do a lot in few words.
I really enjoyed this too. Vivid imagery and ominous. Well written
Excellent – dark and cynical. Tight writing. Good and fitting title. cheers
I like this….but with the advent of SimpliSafe devices, I wonder how successful he’d manage to be on his return visits.
Suspenseful. The ending is great for the imagination.
Ugh, I did not see where that was going. Excellent twist! So sinister! Very well done!