Iain Kelly's Blog, page 38

IDENTITY CRISIS

Arnaldo slugged the last of his beer and tossed the bottle. The tinkle of glass echoed in the night. ‘That’s me,’ he announced, even though there was no one there to listen to him. ‘Same time tomorrow.’ He stood up, swaying precariously on the edge of the wooden pier. He stared into the dark, black … Continue reading IDENTITY CRISIS

THE LOVER

She scrambled down the rock face, slipping on the patches of damp moss and grass. In her panic she tumbled over the over-hang that covered the entrance to her hideout – a small opening in the hillside, hidden by the natural landscape and fauna. She landed with a thump on the hard ground and for … Continue reading THE LOVER

OTHER BRANDS ARE AVAILABLE

‘HÄAGEN-DAZS KILLER STRIKES AGAIN!’ screamed the headline, as did executive Peter Jenkins. It was a PR disaster. That was three. Each bloodied corpse left with a half-eaten tub of Häagen-Dazs next to it. The latest theory: the killer was following people who bought Häagen-Dazs, killing them, then eating the ice-cream. ‘What flavour this time?’ his … Continue reading OTHER BRANDS AREAVAILABLE

FREE STATE

He stood in the doorway of his homestead, looking out at his land. The sweat poured from his bronzed head, the receding hairline exposing his scalp to the sun. In his hand he held the machete. Blood dripped from the point of the blade, pooling on the steps at his feet. The stench of fresh, … Continue reading FREE STATE

THE HERETIC

The following writings were discovered during renovation work on the keep of Castle Uamhas in the far Western Isles, off the coast of Scotland. It was written on parchment that had been preserved hidden within the stonework of the walls, which have withstood the intolerable climate of those wild islands for more than a thousand … Continue reading THE HERETIC

END TIMES

Christenson fell to his knees, his hands raised to the skies, his face a scream of agony. ‘Show yourself!’ he cried. Outside the storm tore at the earth. Debris battered against the protective dome. Trees, buildings, animals – all tossed asunder. Inside the palm trees were still, the climate pleasant. Only the constant howling noise … Continue reading END TIMES

GORODSKOY PARK

Gorodskoy Park in the sunshine. Not the most beautiful park. More concrete than greenery, but well-maintained. A series of paths connected by roundabouts. Along the wider walkways, freshly painted green benches, shaded by overhanging wispy branches. So what was I doing in this nondescript park in the middle of Minsk? Well, that is a longer … Continue reading GORODSKOY PARK

PRESENCE

She held up the old photograph in front of her. ‘This is definitely the place,’ Xavier said. He was right. The same trees on the crest of the hill. The wild grass meadow, the hedgerow dividing the fields. This was the right place. So where had the rocks gone? They walked through the long grass, … Continue reading PRESENCE

EXTENDED VACATION

Archie strolled back from the shop, newspaper under his arm. Another fine Mediterranean morning. In the campervan, Agnes was still in bed. Archie settled down in his seat to read the headlines. Iran had retaliated against America with missile fire. A commercial aeroplane had gone down. He turned the page. Bush fires in Australia. Not … Continue reading EXTENDED VACATION

TENSIONS

‘You see this?’ he asked the captain, handing him the printout. ‘Think we’re in any danger?’ The captain shrugged, scanning the sea beyond the harbour walls, ‘Shouldn’t think so. I don’t see how blowing up a tug boat will bring them much vengeance.’ ‘Still, perhaps we should stow the flag? Make us less visible.’ ‘Perhaps … Continue reading TENSIONS