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Flashes of Speculation

Untitled - Fred Charles

I’m reminded of her everyday.

I’m reminded of her everyday. No matter how hard I try, I can’t wash her blood from my hands.

19 Responses

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Fred tells me that this piece was inspired by a debate on my blog concerning whether you can write horror without using gore, foul language and sex.  It’s a job well done, Fred.  I appreciate the intent and the method used to accomplish it.

Taken literally, this has a very supernatural element to it.  How would the human mind react to committing a murder and then finding that no amount of soap will get the blood off?

1 Jim September 19, 2006 9:22 pm

Jim, thanks for posting this. I was trying to go for maximum effect in minimal words. I’ve actually read shorter pieces of flash than this one!

2 fred Charles September 20, 2006 8:22 am

Such an impact in such a few words. Well done.

3 Stephanie Vann September 21, 2006 8:14 am

Thanks for the comment Stephanie. I appreciate any feedback.

4 fred Charles September 21, 2006 10:03 am

You know, the real nice thing is that I can totally picture this in my head; then the scene takes a life of its own and goes off into a dark madness.

5 Ben Marroquin September 21, 2006 4:24 pm

Very good….shades of Lady Macbeth…

6 Bonnie Shearn September 21, 2006 11:15 pm

Y’know, Bonnie, I thought of that, too…

7 Jim September 21, 2006 11:19 pm

Ben: Thanks! Glad that you liked it.

Bonnie: Thanks for reading and thanks for the comment!

8 fred Charles September 22, 2006 9:26 am

Shortest flash I ever read.  For its length it is incredibly strong.

9 Joni September 23, 2006 9:05 pm

Thanks Joni!

10 fred charles September 24, 2006 7:45 am

[...] Flashes of Speculation [...]

That’s a brilliant effort. I really can see the scene in my head and the imagery is amazing. This is of course, doubled seeing as the lingering thought of watching Wolf Creek is still with me.

12 Benjamin Solah September 25, 2006 5:33 am

YES!! this is a great piece.

13 hana September 26, 2006 2:28 am

Thanks Hana, I’m looking forward to reading some of your stuff on the 100 voices project.

14 fred Charles September 26, 2006 9:43 am

Why are the best ones always the really short ones? I scoff at you, Charles Dickens!

15 Mike September 27, 2006 1:41 am

Thanks Mike. Less is more sometimes works but sometimes I also like more is more.

16 fred Charles September 27, 2006 8:13 am

I like this piece much: especially the inability of the speaker to “wash” himself of the physical manifestation of psychological guilt and regret.  Though the concept of ”[washing] her blood from my hands” reminds me vaguely of alt-rock/emo lyrics, the flash is enticing nonetheless.

17 Ben October 03, 2006 5:33 pm

Ugh…I would never imply emo lyrics on purpose, lol.

18 fred Charles October 04, 2006 8:33 am

Haha, I wouldn’t worry about it.  Emo lyrics hackneye traditionally impassioned images.

19 Ben October 04, 2006 8:17 pm

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