The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

The Metro 
by Kathleen McCluskey 

Jack stumbled down the stairs of the terminal with his hands gripping his chest; blood poured from in between his fingers. He gasped for air as he staggered onto the platform. As he continued to flee, crimson footprints followed him down the aisle. Terrified, Jack kept peering over his shoulder to see if his assailants were still chasing him. He could hear their muffled voices over the sound of the approaching subway. A shrill, ear-piercing sound echoed through the abandoned subway station as the train came to a stop. With a loud hiss, the doors opened and Jack fell onto the dirty floor of the subway car. He let out a large, relief-filled sigh as the doors clicked closed and the car lurched forward. He propped himself up onto his elbow and looked around. There was only one other passenger; a very pale girl sleeping in the corner. She was leaning her head on the window. Jack could see her hair bounce as the subway gained speed. He groaned loudly as he lifted himself up onto a seat.

He looked down at his blood-soaked shirt, his pants that were once a light blue were now almost black with blood. He peeled back his dress shirt to reveal four gunshot wounds in his chest and stomach. He probed one of the holes with his finger. He winced more out of habit than from pain. Jack pulled his finger out, there was blood up to the second knuckle. He gagged as he rolled the crimson liquid between his fingers. He lifted his fingers to his nose, cocked his head sideways and grimaced. There was no smell. He shook his head in disbelief.

Jack could feel the train car picking up speed. He looked out of the window and normally the subway wall would come into focus as the train moved. This evening, however, all that met Jack’s eyes was the blurred interior as the subway barreled down the tunnel. He gripped the hand rest that was on the seat in front of him. He prepared himself for the inevitable crash. Jack was surprised when he teetered forward as the train began to slow. A large soft exhale escaped Jack as the girl in the back of the train stood up.

Jack watched in horror as the girl lifted her head. Her skull had been smashed in. Little globs of brain littered her matted hair and her eye was hanging out of its socket. She looked at Jack and tried to speak but her bottom jaw had been broken and hung at an awkward angle. He lifted his bloodstained hands in an effort to keep her away from him. She attempted a smile and Jack cringed. She pointed out the window as the doors slammed open. Jack stood and exited the train. He let out a small scream as he was face to face with Satan himself. “You think you could escape me Jackie boy? I don’t think so. You were shot by your business partner and rightfully so. You will make a fine addition to the burning oil pits.”

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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 judgemental 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 consequenses that transpire in the first of THE LONG FALL series.

Available on Amazon!