Today’s Friday Fiction is courtesy of microcosmsfic.com. 300 word short story using the following elements.
Character: I’ve Always Been Crazy Setting: Village Genre: Crime
“It’s getting worse Father.”
Francois knelt within the narrow confines of the confessional. Sweat trickled down his temples but his clasped hands shivered uncontrollably.
“The Lord knows our struggles. He sees all and knows all. He will never give you more than you can handle.” The voice replied from beyond the wooden grating separating confessor from absolution.
“I understand that Father but… I literally felt as though my hands were wrapped around her neck and… and I was squeezing. Squeezing. Squeezing! Her neck…” Francois’s whole body began to shiver. Sweat continued to trail down into his collar, while a hollowness suffused his chest and clutched at his heart.
“It was merely a dream my child, perhaps manifestations of impure thoughts you harbour towards her or her sinful occupation?”
“I don’t even know her.”
“And yet you recall her with clarity? The Lord said, if you hate your brother in your heart then you have similarly committed murder. Do you hate her?”
“No Father! I… may have seen her once? Maybe?”
“Are you certain my child? You are safe in the house of the Lord.”
“I…” Francois searched his memories and could recall nothing concrete. A flash of someone but it was hazy. Fragmented. “Perhaps I’ve always been crazy Father.”
“Ephesians tells us our battle is not against flesh and blood, but the forces of darkness.” A sombre silence filled the air. “Pray ten Hail Mary’s. Tonight, I will visit again for special communion.”
The priest’s door clicked open and suddenly a familiar scent filled Francois’ nose. He looked out the glass portal of the confessional and watched the priest slip a tattered blouse into his vestments. A familiar blouse. He shook his head and turned back to prayer, the suspicion overshadowed by his guilt. He soon forgot about the blouse.
A-Scribe To Describe 
Interesting read. For the beginning, I thought the Father was his actual father. I like how you wrote this. Will there be more?
Oh hmmm no it was a once off short story haha. And I’m glad you liked it, I had to cut out a lot because it has to be 300 words. Ugh. xD
Also I see what you mean about it reading like it’s his dad. Oh well. Next time I’ll be clearer.
Oh, right. How many words was it before you cut it to 300?
Also, I think you were clear. I just kept thinking, “Wow, his father is really religious,” lol. But I liked not really knowing who he was talking to until the end. After first, he’s just having a conversation with his dad, but then you find out that he actually went to his Priest about it. The concern for him really shifts and I thought that was clever. If that made any sense at all.
Yeah it makes sense. I guess that works too haha.
And it was closer to 400 words at first and it explained better what was happening. Do you know how hard it is to remove 100 words without changing the story haha. So in the end I had to change quite a bit but I think the gist of the story is still clear.
Wait let me ask, what do you think is happening in the story… or is implied?
It is hard, I know, lol.
It seems to me that he killed someone in the past and it’s haunting him, whether he remembers it or not.
Oooh, this is interesting! Is the priest somehow getting him to commit the acts for him?
Yes he is! Under the guise of guilt-riddled nightmares. I hinted at how by stating he’s coming that night for “special communion” if I had more words I would have explained that more.
No, those words explained it for me well. I got what you meant from them. 🙂
This has great potential! It could go in so many ways. I’d be interested to see it again if you do something with it.
Haha no sadly it’s a once off. Probably won’t see light of day beyond this. Thank you though 🙂