187 at 708 Fulton
Photo courtesy of Jean L. Hays
The confectionery was usually quiet at this hour. Tonight, it buzzed with blue and red lights, crackles of urgency and subdued police talk.
– Dispatch to scene, coroner is en route.
– Copy.
The storefront was made unusual by one lone man on the pavement, holiday red leaking from a single wound to his head, his Christmas sweater a sad reminder of the season.
– Looks like he had to get one last thing for their dinner. Wonder why he was the target?
Beside him lay the ruins of a gingerbread house, silent in the night.
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I think the news of random violence has been in my mind lately. I am heading to Finland in the morning for a week’s visit. Happy holidays to all!
The photo prompt is courtesy of Jean L Hays. Links to all the other Flash Friday Fictioneers can be found here.
© Erin Leary
erinlearywrites 
Great story, and quite macabre. There’s something powerful in the clash of contrasts in the phrases “leaking holiday red” and “silent in the night”.
Thanks, David.
Oh wow Erin. You surpassed yourself this week with vivid imagery. ‘Holiday red!’ Nice work.
Thank hou, Sandra. I am trying to mix up my genres a little more. Makes me have to work harder at it.
Well described scene there.
Thanks – I’ve watched a lot of CSI along the way….
Good on you…worked!
The image of the Christmas sweater gives a jolt. Good job, Erin.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Psst…it’s Hays…no “e”
Fixed it!
I thank you and I know Jean thanks you.
Very straightforward story that tugs that heartstrings. Have a safe and enjoyable trip.
Thank you – it’s been great so far!
Christmas sweater, gingerbread house..sounds like a really nice fellow.. makes one really wonder why he’s the target ^^ good one ^^
I think he was a random target. No reason except wrong place at the wrong time…..
“Silent in the night” was a chilling play on words. Yikes! Very well done!
Thanks – it was in tribute to the use of the song ‘Silent Night’ for the shooting victims.
Wow….I loved the imagery in this one, the gingerbread house silent in the night, holiday red leaking. This may be my favorite one.
Tom
Thank you, Tom. I am honored!
Hi Erin,
Have fun in Finland. Avoid the gingerbread houses. They collapse too easily. Good grim, gritty story of holiday horror. We’ve all been too reminded that it can happen this time of year. Happy 2013! Ron
Thank you, Ron. There are gingerbread house everywhere. Oy! Happy new year to you as well!
I’m assuming 187 is a homicide? Clever title… and clever words… I will just ditto everyone above me about the ‘silent in the night’ and ‘holiday red’ lines. Well done sad story. Have a good time in Finland… looking forward to reading about it.
Yes – that is the police code for it. It was the address that triggered the whole thought process for me.
Really well done! Love “holiday red leaking from a single wound”
Thanks – it was a vivid visual in my imagination so it came out that way….
The imagery…just powerful vivid, and so timely. Have a safe trip
Thank you! All is well here in the frozen north.
oh no. that can’t happen. how dare you! well done.
Thank you, sir! I’m happy to have surprised you.
Very tragic. I hope this never happens to anyone beyond the fictional realms of our imagination.
Sadly, it happens more often than I care to think about….
That last line: “silent in the night”. A perfect Christmas ending.
Thanks – that was prompted by the tribute SNL made to the shooting victims – they opened the show with Silent Night sung by a children’s choir. Never more poignant…
Very well written, so evocative
Thank you – it felt a little dark, but it was what came to kind so I followed the path.
Very sad. Lots of emotion. Loved the last line.
Thank you, Shirley!
loved the last line.
Thanks – it was a refernce to a tribute done for the recent shooting victims. It felt like the right way to close.
Dear Erin,
This tale evoked exactly what you were thinking of. Senseless violence and the mystery behind it. Well done.
Enjoy Finland and Happy New Year.
Aloha,
Doug
Thank you and aloha to you as well.
I love the suspense!