Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Wednesday Briefs: Bad Karma and the Family Plan #65 (13.4)

 Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Something is very much not right, but Vinnie and Ethan don't have an idea what that might be, except for the cryptic message that Troy received regarding a certain actress being MIA. See what's happening in this week's chapter of Bad Karma and the Family Plan. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them! Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Bad Karma and the Family Plan #65 (13.4)

Carlos approached us, clearing his throat respectfully. “I think we need to get everybody somewhere that’s not so open.”  He eyed our surroundings then gestured toward the woods just on the other side of the clearing. “Frankly, right now I’m afraid we’re sitting ducks where we are.”

“You’re so right,” Ethan agreed. “We should move everyone to the shelter of those trees, and make sure we keep together. That’ll make it easier for us to keep everyone safe.”

We returned to the others and apprised them of our plan. “Help is on its way,” Ethan assured his family. For the most part, they didn’t seem to be panicking, although I suspected it was only the presence of the minister that kept Ethan’s brother from making a scene. As it was, he kept to himself and just eyed the rest of us warily. Little Alex seemed the least troubled of anyone. He was enjoying all the attention he was receiving, and was currently being held in the arms of his grandmother, while Grandpa played silly little games to amuse him, such as Peekaboo, which sent him into gales of laughter. I noticed Sarah was listening intently to whatever story Troy was telling. She undoubtedly realized by now that he and Brendan were a couple, but that didn’t seem to faze her in the slightest. She hung on Troy’s every word as if it were manna.

So far so good. But before we could put our plan into motion, we could hear the wail of an approaching siren. Moments later, a vehicle came into view, emergency lights flashing from the roof.

All conversation ceased as everyone’s attention turned to the oncoming vehicle.

“That was fast, even for Anderson,” I commented. Something didn’t feel right about that, but who was I to look a gift rescue in the mouth? I shot a trouble glance toward Ethan, which he returned. He seemed uneasy too. He gave me a small nod, which I understood to mean stay alert, but don’t say anything yet. I nodded back.

Turned out that it wasn’t a standard police vehicle but rather a regular car with the lights on top. Ethan and I had a set of those ourselves. The car pulled off the road and came to a stop. Moments later, two figures stepped out, coming toward us. The driver was obviously in charge as he swaggered toward us, his fellow officer close behind. I gave the first one an appraising glance as he neared. A little shorter than me, he was somewhat stocky but not overly so, his movements possessing a certain leonine grace at odds with his physique. Age was hard to tell behind the large aviator mirror sunglasses, his dark hair mostly hidden beneath the policeman’s cap on top of his head.

As the officer approached, he glanced around at us, as if to ascertain who was in charge. That’s when I began to suspect these two hadn’t been sent by Anderson, who would have told them who to look for. Local law enforcement? But if so, shouldn’t he be driving a standard issue police cruiser? And if he was plainclothes, why the uniform? I tensed up a little, waiting to hear what the newcomer had to say.

 to be continued

Now go see what the other Briefers are up to!

Cia Nordwell


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