The things that spark our imagination: a shotgun with a silencer
Loren Eaton really likes flash fiction. Until I got involved with his Advent Ghosts project, I’d never tried it. His particular brand of flash fiction is telling a complete story in 100 words. Not more. Not less. It can be a lot of fun. And it can also be challenging. Sometimes what is most important is what is left unsaid.
You can see some of my other attempts at flash fiction here.
Loren also compiles what he calls the Commonplace Book, which is really a reference he uses to collect random tidbits that may show up in stories later. Today he posted a video showing a silenced shotgun. It was pretty amazing to see the shooter rapid-fire a 12-gauge shotgun and all you hear are “clicks” as the semi-automatic action racks a new shell into the chamber.
And both of our minds went spinning. I mentioned a collaborative project and he said “100 word story”. And sometimes, especially on a Friday, that’s all it takes.
Demonstration
The room was eerily quiet as the wooden door caved in, blown from its hinges.
Just before each splintering crash, Eric heard a click. Crabwalking across the room, in the back of his mind, he wondered if he was going to live through this demonstration.
“I guess he did it. Loren was able to put a silencer on a 12-guage.”
Eric looked up to see his friend enter the room, a wisp of smoke rising from the barrel.
“Okay, okay, I believe you.”
The gaping maw of the shotgun swung around and centered on Eric’s forehead.
He heard a click..