The perpetual gray skies of the cool and soggy northwest mirrored Tommy’s mood. Another day spent within the bare room he’d rented. His only entertainment was watching the residents of the building across the way through his telescopic lens.
“Cat lady’s knitting again,” he noted. “And fat man’s actually making his bed.”
Tommy saw motion from Unit 37. Finally. Spending one more day here might drive him crazy. He took aim, lined up his target and squeezed the trigger.
Crack! His target dropped. Mission accomplished.
Seattle might be great to visit, but he could never understand how folks could live here.
Word Count: 100
[This is my entry into this weeks Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Use the photo prompt to create a short story in 100 words or less.]
~V
The Well of Fiction 
I also considered doing a “Rear Window” story. It’s great to see how it would have worked out. Thanks
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Thanks Neil. That movie was definitely on my mind when I wrote this, but I figured I’d go the other way with the protagonist (bad guy). Didn’t take long to put this one together. Thanks for the read and comment. 🙂
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Great story! A horror-thriller with him sniping people!
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Thank you.
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Was not expecting this route with such an innocent picture 🙂 well done..why crack though? Just wondering.
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A mild case of Seasonal Affective Disorder (too many gloomy days spent in a bare room.)
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Yeah, didn’t see that coming. Wow. I like it!
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Business travel can be hard sometimes. Takes a lot out of you. 🙂 Thanks for reading and the comment.
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Whoa. You took this story in a totally awesome sniper-thriller direction. I can just imagine a story following Tommy the sniper as he treks across the US, a ghost in the shadows, carrying out his missions.
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That was unexpected and dramatic – well-written story! ( And I sense that Seattle drives you mad? I’ve never visited, but have always wanted to go. The sky in the photograph seems to match my idea of the city.)
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I’ve never been (my apologies to the fine city of Seattle. I’m sure it’s a wonderful place). I just know that there are a lot of sunless days and SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is common. I’ve suffered from it in Wisconsin. Even hitmen have vulnerabilities. Thanks for the comment. 🙂
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You’re welcome! 🙂
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Apparently, some don’t live there anymore! Nicely done.
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Thanks Karen.
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Well, that’s gloriously dark! There was me thinking we were in for a quirky, peeping tom story, when you spun it round and gave us an assassin instead. Nicely written indeed! Great read 🙂
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Thanks Lynn!
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Pleasure 🙂
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I’m glad he’s found a hobby to keep complete boredom at bay! I liked the last line, he sounds so matter-of-fact in his pursuit, a real psycho.
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I wanted the real story to be about his discomfort in a dreary city rather than the killing, which would have been the obvious focus of the story. Seems to have worked. 🙂
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Well one less lives there now. I expected a peeping Tom story to.
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Sometimes I think being a contract killer has to be the dullest job in the world.
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Exactly! Thanks for reading, Bjorn.
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Great story! I love the set up for the twist.
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Thank you!
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That was unexpected! Great story.
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Thank you!
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Yup, one less person living in Seattle. Great story, who knew that hitmen have to endure so much boredom. 🙂
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It’s a thankless job. Especially from the targets. 🙂
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The voice so matter of fact, lends itself to this ominous tale.
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Thanks. That’s pretty much what I was going for. I appreciate the comment.
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Uh-uh. A sniper on loose! I do wonder whose side is he on… hmm. 🙂
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Great atmospheric story with a fine twist
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Thank you!
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