The death count was rising, but the minister refused to budge.
“The roads need re-tarring,” he said, pushing the paper away..
Five days later, the cold blooded murderer struck again, claiming his son.
“If only I had…” the minister lamented, finally signing the order.
The sanitation work to clean stagnant water began the next day.
My theme for this April is something I call ON SHORT NOTICE. The topic for the letter C is Cold Blooded Murderer as suggested by Shalini, in the previous post. I request you, my readers, to suggest a word with D that might inspire my post for D. I’ll choose one from the options I get, and write on that. I won’t choose the same reader for successive days. Thanks in advance!
(© Vinay Leo R. @ I Rhyme Without Reason,
4th April, 2017)
Vinay Leo R.
Poetry & writing to me are to me, a breath of fresh air in a life that is sometimes covered by the smoke of sorrow or self doubt. They also become the sweets I share to celebrate when life offers me a reason to. But most of all, they are to me, my life. For each word I write is a piece of my heart, a thought that just had to find its way into the world.
What an impact, Vinu! You excel at using very less words to make a statement. You continue impressing me with the spontaneity and confidence in your art. I don’t have to tell you that I am a fan. You should know that by now 😊
Glad that the impact was there with the brevity, Janie. 🙂 I love attempting 55 fiction, but it has been a while since I did, so wasn’t sure if it would be impactful. Hope the flow continues to come. It’s only 3 letters in, and 23 left to go. 😀
Short, moving and powerful 😀
Way to go, Leo!
D for Diaspora? Dilemma? Diligence?
Thanks, Panda.
Diaspora… that appeals at the moment. 😉
That’s a different take on the prompt. Loved it! Whoa! Sad, isn’t it. I wish he had issued the order before.
My choice for D – Devious plan, Death, Destiny. Sho, I had one more! Forgot now 🙁
Shalini recently posted…Chai
He wishes the same, Shalzzz. 🙁 It is sad.
You’re banned from D, so no worries 😛 Death and destiny do seem interesting at the moment. 😀
Death actually doesn’t discriminate . Good take 🙂
How about D for Danish Pastry 😉
Chandni recently posted…[C] Careers & Beyond – Can they have it all? #AtoZChallenge Day 3
Very true, Chandni. Equal in death. Glad you liked it. 😀
Suggestion accepted. Let me see what the other options are that come. 😉 Feeling hungry now.
I liked the first part a lot but you kind of lost me in the last sentence. Why stagnant water and sanitation? Or is that a reference to the road works that were pending? It is true though that we rarely take action unless it directly affects us in some way.
Shailaja Vishwanath recently posted…Controlled – #FlashFiction #AtoZChallenge
Ah. The boy died of a water borne disease given by a cold-blooded murderer. 😉
But yes, agree. We rarely take action until it affects us in a way. Thanks, Shailaja. 🙂
Nothing teaches you as experience does….suggestion for D – D for dictator
Thanks, Jaish. 🙂
And hey my suggestion for D
Dreams
Decision
Dark secrets
Denial
Choose one of these already 😛
Let’s see. 😛 Not sure which word will inspire me, but I like two of the words, Janie. 😀
Short yet creating an impact in the mind of the reader! Well done Leo!
Divine, Destiny, Deceit, Dreams!
Radhika recently posted…Alphabet C – Crosswords
Thank you, Radhika. 🙂
Dreams, again. Another one who suggested it. Let’s see. 😀
OMG!! That’s some cold blooded murder. Totally ruthless!
Shilpa Garg recently posted…Child Abuse #AtoZChallenge @AprilA2Z
Thanks, Shilpa.
I never could have thought something like this for cold blooded murderer! Good one Vinay 🙂
My choice for D – Death, Distraction, Danger or Deranged
Swathi Shenoy recently posted…Crushes
Glad you liked it, Swathi. 🙂 I like distraction from your list, let me see if something comes of that.
I always start and stop as an activist so can relate to this. Apathy is murder in grim disguise.
Glad you could relate. And yes, I agree, Lalita. Apathy is murder in disguise.
Oh that’s a good one…I wondered at first who the cold-blooded murderer would be. It’s interesting how politicians will only respond when something affects them. For D, how about Devil’s Advocate?
Sanch @ Sanch Writes recently posted…#Cascade: Woman of the modern world #atozchallenge
I know. I was trying not to go for the obvious. 🙂 It’s not only politicians though, Babby. Most people would respond only when that situation affects them.
Devil’s Advocate… ooh. different. Lemme think on this!
Oh dear! This brought to mind the manual manhole cleaners who suffocated to their deaths in Blr. Very well written.
Shubhangi @ The Little Princess
shubhangi srikanth recently posted…C – 5 ways to Cheer up someone!
Yes. But I was going for mosquito (cold-blooded) menace, Titli. 🙁 Equally sad, of course, what you’ve said. Glad you felt it well written.
A reality in todays times? With most cities hacing sanitation issues, would our authorities when cold blooded murdere strikes their family members???
And here’s something in D- Dangerous Desires
Yes. A reality, and a sad one at that, Ramya.
Nice. I honestly didnt think of mosquito till I read it in your comment section… that makes the final line even more better.
As for D, well , most of the good ones seem to have been taken by the ‘commentators’ above me – I’m gonna give you: Disco, danish, diner, dim lit room, dastardly.
Roshan Radhakrishnan recently posted…Chris Dempsey is a Shining Example of Selflessness #AtoZChallenge
🙂 Glad you felt the twist makes it better, Roshan. I didn’t want to make it obvious.
I got goose bumps! This is so well written 🙂
anks recently posted…#AtoZChallenge : Carol Burnette Quote
Thanks, Anks. Glad you liked it. 🙂
oh no! that’s was well done, Vinay.
For D – darling, death, dusk and dealings.
Parul Thakur recently posted…C for Can I do it? #AtoZChallenge
Thank you, Parul. 🙂
Brilliant take, I say! The apathy of people in power is slow death; juxtaposed with a “real” death it is just highlighted.
Modern Gypsy recently posted…Collage: a quick and dirty primer
Yes. That slow death is painful. Real death, it heightens that sadness of the slow one, I think. Thank you, Gypsy.
Wow, this is nice, blood-curdling! Very little words, so much of imagery and a great story! D for Dark Lord :p
Sreedeep recently posted…#AtoZChallenge – Letter C – Coffee Bhayya
Blood-curdling? Athrakkyu vendeerno, Sreedeep? 🙂 Glad you liked the story.
It’s sad he realized it after losing his son! Its inevitable Karma !
Tina Basu recently posted…Dare to Dream – Step 4 to a Meaningful Life – A to Z Challenge 2017
Yes, Tina. It is sad. Some realizations occur when it happens to you, not before.
“If only” , famous words I would never want to utter.
Namratha recently posted…Doula: A Hand To Hold On Your Most Important Day #AtoZChallenge
Me neither, Namratha. Me neither.