Copyright Kent Bonham
It had been quiet at the top of the multi-storey, but down here the sobbing and approaching sirens were hurting Charlie’s ears.
Pete hadn’t bounced on hitting the ground, not like on the cartoons. He was going to need a new head though, and his lollipop was ruined, sticky with blood and grit.
Pete wouldn’t be playing out awhile…if ever.
Looking around, Charlie spied a plump toddler slouched in an unattended buggy.
“Bet she’d bounce,” he thought, starting forward.
Steel fingers clamped his wrist; Charlie stared into the coldest eyes he’d ever seen.
“Been watchin’ you, son,” said the man. “Gotta plan for you.”
This was a difficult prompt and I’m still not sure what it represents. However, when in doubt, go gruesome… Thanks again to the First Lady of Friday Fictioneers, Rochelle. Where would we be without you?
castelsarrasin 
Dear Sandra,
Sounds to me as though Charlie is going to get his own chance to pass/fail the bounce test. I don’t know who the steel fingered gent is, but I like his style. Eye for an eye, one good fall deserves another, eh?
When in doubt, go gruesome? I’ll have to remember that. Thanks for the tip.
Aloha,
Doug
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I’ve not decided whether the steel-fingered gent has spotted a victim or an apprentice. Thanks for dropping by, Doug.
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Definitely a psychopath if ever I read one. I don’t know if it was a difficult prompt (what is it?) or really easy (don’t know what it is – I can write anything!). But I loved your take on whatever it is.
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Thanks Claire. 🙂
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Whoa. Holy cow! I’m … stunned. SO incredibly horrifying.
Bravissimo, Sandra! Five stars.
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You still haven’t revealed what it is Kent. 😉 Thanks for reading.
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Truth is, Sandra, I don’t know what that thing is. It was in the street and I picked it up. Obviously, since it’s on a stick, it was a food product gone bad from the elements. Lollipop maybe. Made a for a pretty good prompt, huh? 😉
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Oh my, this was gruesome indeed. You mislead me with your title, I was expecting something light and funny. But no, no…you had to go there…and now I really want to know more. Great work, Sandra!
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It was inevitable. 🙂
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Well it is the witching month, so going gruesome seems appropriate. I can’t help but wonder what happens to Charlie now
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I think he’s moving on to greater things… 🙂
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Wonderful! Well, how else is a kid supposed to learn?
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🙂 Thanks for reading.
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“When in doubt go gruesome”…well it certainly worked for you!
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Difficult subject this week, I thought. Thanks for reading Dawn.
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What a twist of the prompt. Or not. It does look a bit like a gruesome lollipop. Hope the steel fingered man can keep Charlie at bay.
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I have every confidence in the steel-fingered man. 🙂
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For a second I was terrified you were going to “go there” with that little plump little toddler. HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF!
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🙂 Saved by the bell…
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Good job with a stinker of a prompt. Not as many entries so far – a sure sign it wasn’t an easy pic. I thought it looked like a mouse on a stick…but that’s just me!
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It was a difficult prompt, but in many ways something like this opens up a wide range of takes I think. Thanks for reading Paul.
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to bounce or not to bounce… it must be charlie’s turn this time.
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He’ll learn his lesson, I think.
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Have we met Charlie Brown before? I seem to remember a simple-minded man in the service of a very evil man… or am I imagining thing? Either way, uh-oh all around on this story!
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You’ve not met him on my site but he might get another outing. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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Did Charlie do it? Or is he the next one to find the ground?
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Charlie did it all right. And now he’s moving on to greater things…
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oh my…bad Charlie!
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Bad indeed… 🙂
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Dear Sandra,
There seems to be an innocence about Charlie. I didn’t see him as a psychopath but as mentally disabled. He definitely needs to be gotten off the streets but I’m not sure the steel fingered gent is his answer.
Well written as always. As for the unidentified object on the street, Kent has no clue what it was. He told me he even picked it up and inspected it. (ugh!) Then he took a picture of it and sent to me as a potential prompt. I figured if Madison could post a picture of grapevine ooze I could post this one. I’m hoping to get people to think outside the box. How’s it working?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m glad you saw that side of Charlie. I meant to portray him as one of those kids missing that vital link between actions and consequences, the kind that thinks cartoon action can be compared with real life. Of course, that could be a psychological disorder and maybe the steel-fingered man intends to nip this in the bud… or use it to his own ends. As for the prompt – certainly the response is slower than usual but I think there’s been a wide variety of ‘takes’ on it. Interesting. Thanks for commenting.
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What an unusual and gripping take on the prompt. Well done.
Marg
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Thank you!
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so many places to go with this story. A well told and eerie story.
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Hi Kir, seems like a long time… 🙂 Thanks for dropping by.
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Anyone bouncing toddler deserve that vice grip.. hope it works out for the better…
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I doubt it Bjorn. 😦
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Wow, my story’s character is miles behind yours in the “budding serial killer” stakes. I reckon the mysterious man has found his new apprentice.
Great read!
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Thanks you! budding serial killer is such an apt description.
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Gruesome is cool.
AnElephant loves it.
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Thank you!
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Gruesome works REALLY well for flash fiction – the shorter it is, the gorier it can stand to be. It was the matter of fact way of telling that did it for me here. Nice work.
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Thank you, glad you liked it.
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The kid had seen too many cartoons I’d say … the story gave me a shiver up the spine. Brava!
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There lies the danger; too many cartoons and video games. Thanks for reading.
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A problem suffered by the last couple of generations…
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Wow! Where did that come from? Real stuff of nightmares.
Not sure if the cold-eyed man is a goody? Will Charlie be joining Pete?
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I’ve not decided whether he’s a goody or a baddie looking for a likely apprentice. Jury’s still out… 🙂
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Grim.
(But deliciously so.)
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Just a tasty morsel… I haven’t even got into my stride yet… 🙂
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I skipped to the bottom of the comments, so I don’t know what I missed. This is the origin of Charlie Brown of Peanuts fame, and of Charles Schulz picking him out and priming him for stardom. No doubt we are in a cartoon world so that bouncing babies are no big deal, and although Charlie is sort of a delinquent, Mr. Schulz knows he can turn him around. “That Charlie Brown, he’s a clown.” Great piece! At least the way I see it.
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I think that’s the way Charlie sees it too Perry. Glad to see you on here.
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Oh so much for the song! Times have advanced.
Ellespeth
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and not always for the better. Thank for reading Ellespeth.
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Dear Sandra – Creepy cool – and poor kid is probably not going to enjoy the big guy at all. The kid has problems already. Very good Sandra! Nan 🙂
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Yes, I think there are bigger problems to come. Thanks for reading Nan. Hope all is well with you.
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Cold and creepy, Sandra. Good take on the prompt.
All my best,
Marie Gail
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Thanks Marie Gail. Loved your photo last week. The colours were magical.
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Thanks so much, Sandra. I’ve been wandering around the Kansas City metro area, camera in hand, for a few months now. It’s been fun to snap shots of things that strike me.
MG
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Hi Sandra. This is deliciously gruesome and creepy. Well done! LHN
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Dark and chilling. Now this strange stick has blood and grit on it. Brava, Sandra!
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Thanks Amy. It’s a messy looking old thing isn’t it…?
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Excellently gruesome! SO glad someone recognised Charlie’s potential.
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I think Charlie may have the X factor Liz. 🙂
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Sometimes, I read your stories, Sandra and I’m just left totally lost… trying to figure out how your head got there! I’m not sure I understand this story, but it grabbed me nonetheless. Whatever I don’t know, I know chilling, and this creeped me out, and stuck in my head. Each week, you amaze me with your versatility in story telling.
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Aww thanks Dawn. And thanks for persevering with me. I’m not sure I’m going to get any more explicit at this stage… 😉
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The mystery keeps me going. I love a challenge! Especially when it’s wrapped in excellent writing. 😉
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Its really unusual take on the prompt that too when object is not clear. Gruesome but interesting.
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Yes, it was a bit of puzzler. There were many interesting takes on it this week. Thanks for dropping by Indira.
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I’m glued to your mystery, Sandra and your bizarre characters, vividly drawn.
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“When in doubt, go gruesome?” That should be a mantra for all of us, I think!
Your imagination, handling of character, dialogue and setting are all excellent, and your pace is totally gripping.
Great story!
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So well crafted. The lack of sense/ empathy in Charlie is horrifying, but I’m more worried what the man with the steel grip has planned next.
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Yikes! This isn’t a Charlie from the funny pages….still, as horrifying as his lack of empathy (understanding?) of his actions was, I disliked the steel from the unidentified man at the end more. I certainly felt the twinge of fear Charlie most certainly had to feel himself! Well done.
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