The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

Stanley
by Kathleen McCluskey

Stanley always thought of himself as a friend to the environment. Even though his job as a lumberjack came into conflict with some of his eco-friendly views, the money was just too good. As he sat on a log and ate his lunch he thought he heard gunshots. He sprang up and that was the last thing he remembered.

   Waking on a cold, damp floor Stanley could feel the tight blindfold digging into his cheeks. His hands were securely bound behind his back making it difficult for him to sit up. He wondered if the foreman and the crew had met the same fate. Stanley strained to hear anything; he could hear the soft hum of traffic. He tilted his head and listened intently. The field that he had been working in was far from any city.

   Stanley snapped his head around when he heard footsteps coming towards him. Panic began to run its icy cold fingers down his spine as a large bolt of pain shot down his arms. He was lifted into the air. Stanley began to plead for his life, “Please, please, I have always done what was right.” A deep, gruff voice answered, “Shut your mouth. You are going to have a chance to prove that you are innocent, the guardian of the forest will determine your fate.”  Stanley had no idea who the guardian of the forest was but the thought of it instantly terrified him.

   Stanley’s blindfold was removed and horror gripped him; he began to shiver with fright. Two armed men escorted him to the edge of the tallest building in the city. “The guardian has spoken. You will have a chance to save your life. Untie yourself and make your way across to safety.” Spanning before him across the abyss of the city block was a log. He could see the blood stains of others before him.

   Stanley frantically worked on the ropes, he was on the last knot. Bent over and sweating Stanley made a critical mistake. The last thing that he saw before his skull busted open on the concrete was his boss’s mangled face on the pavement.

Fiction © Copyright Kathleen McCluskey
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

More from Kathleen McCluskey:

The Long Fall: Book 1: The Inception of Horror

Lucifer always cunning and intelligent challenges father to a battle of wits. Being the angel of light he casts a judgmental eye upon mankind. He begins a war with his fellow archangels and God. Michael, along with his siblings defend their home and mankind from their deranged brother. Broad swords and hand to hand combat drench heaven in blood. The four apocalyptic steeds are released, each having their own destructive power. Betrayal and lust are at biblical levels. Understand the very creation of evil and the consequences that transpire in the first of THE LONG FALL series.

Available on Amazon!