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101 Word Short Stories

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Tracked Down

April 14, 2025 7 Comments

By David Lowis

The visitor peers through the grimy garage window. Hanging on the wall: rope, chains, meat hooks. On a table: pliers, secateurs, masking tape. In a corner: a stained armchair. On the floor: folded tarpaulin and a padlocked trapdoor.

He walks up to the house and knocks.

A muffled voice comes back. “Who’s there?”

“I’m here about the bike you’re selling,” the visitor shouts.

The door opens. Soulless eyes look him up and down. “The bike’s in the garage. Did you come alone?”

“Yes, just me, I’m afraid,” the visitor says, reassured by the weight of the gun inside his coat pocket.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jo Gatenby says

    April 16, 2025 at 9:02 am

    Ohhh, chills. Who will win this battle of nerves? The seller might be an innocent butcher, or the buyer could be tracking a killer to his layer… so many options to choose from! Great way to spark the reader’s imagination!

    Reply
  2. Paul D'Arcy says

    April 16, 2025 at 11:08 am

    Very nice, David!

    Reply
  3. Sharon Murphy says

    April 16, 2025 at 11:14 am

    Heart racing stuff. Nicely paced. Well done.

    Reply
  4. Bud Pharo says

    April 16, 2025 at 2:01 pm

    Great pacing! I loved the ending.

    Reply
  5. PK says

    April 16, 2025 at 3:12 pm

    Cleverly crafted and ends with suspense. Bravo!

    Reply
  6. David says

    April 17, 2025 at 5:24 am

    Thanks all for your kind comments.

    Reply
  7. Barry O'Farrell says

    April 17, 2025 at 7:35 pm

    Really good setup, pace, ending. Enjoyed it.

    Reply

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