By John Spudich
There was furtive jostling at the front door, the knob rattling. The hero braced for some shadow assassin seeking revenge for decades past.
He jumped up from the couch, pain bright in his knees, then moved swiftly down the hall of presidents (commendations from Ford, Reagan) and retrieved his snub-nosed Lugar from the dark of the closet. It was redolent with the oily care of the evening before, gleaming like a shark fin that crests.
When the hero yanked open the door, revivified with the prospect of death, he faced his elderly neighbor, spine crooked, wearing suspenders, eyes blighted with confusion.
What a fascinating story of hero and anti-hero melded into one! Beautiful visual descriptions and imaginative wording!!
Thank you for the fine compliment and the keen insight into the core poetics of the character! High praise from such an imaginative thinker!
Beautifully done! I love your vivid use of imagery and your unique attention to language, rhythm, and, of course, humor! The level of suspense you were able to render within a short narrative frame was very impressive! Terrific!
Thank you for saying so! It’s a very meaningful compliment coming from such an excellent writer with a highly discerning poetic sensibility!
You told one helluva story in 100 words. It was so vivid and I enjoyed the last line. Well done!
Thank you! I’ve enjoyed your pieces as well. You’re so humorous and imaginative and manage with much elegance to evoke a strong sense of drama in a short space.
Flash fiction perfection, really enjoyed the suspense and the twist ending.
Thank you! I was hoping the reader would feel a radical rotation from the twist!
Love this!
It showcases (in such a masterful way) the importance of choosing the right verbs and adjectives.
Thanks so much! I am so gratified you appreciated the verbs and adjectives which indeed I returned to again and again to refine.
Imaginative, and funny. Great piece of writing.
Thank you for your kind response!