Picture Perfect Friday

Picture Perfect Friday is here again. Silk is away on holiday but Chrissy is hosting Picture Perfect Fridays, Week Five.

First the three images for inspiration.


Next here's my story.

David and Goliath

It starts with a tender coaxing and the trigger releases. Click. Tink! Firing pin strikes primer. An almost imperceptible sizzle grows rapidly to a roar as Brownie belches fire, it's deadly round sent gliding towards the unsuspecting casualty, unstoppable until it completes it's journey. David watched the bullet dance through the air. Lead piercing flesh, exploding vital organs. The mouth groans in desperation. The body slumps, insulted beyond repair. Goliath smiles approvingly and dissolves into a red mist. Twelve shots, Twelve bodies. One to go.

David tucked the gun into his waistband and strolled to his car. The beat-up ‘74 Mustang had waited patiently while another bullet found its mark. As David opened the driver’s side door, it groaned in disapproval. David slid into the driver’s seat. He hated this car and yet spent many hours here. It was the only place where Goliath stopped screaming at him.

David turned the key to “start” and the worn engine burped to life. A quick left turn signal let him into the nighttime traffic. He was starting the thirteenth hour. He was looking forward to the end.

Just over twelve hours ago, David had been commanded by Goliath (not her real name but David felt like he was fighting a giant), to pick a weapon from his arsenal that would be accurate, easy to conceal and deadly. Oh yes, it also had to carry 13 rounds. None of his rifles and shotguns would work. Accurate and deadly, yes, but too hard to conceal. His revolvers only carried six to eight shots. That left his fathers Colt 1911 military weapon and the Browning P-35 autoloader. The Colt carried 15 rounds but he had never gotten very good with it. With the Browning, however, he NEVER missed. His beloved "Brownie" carried 13 rounds in the clip with room for one in the chamber.

So David loaded Brownie’s clip. Thirteen of the deadliest rounds he had. Just as he was about to tuck it into his waistband, Goliath had insisted he load the extra round into the chamber.

“Why?” snapped David.

“Just in case you miss,” she said in that sultry smooth voice.

“Brownie and I never miss!”

“Load it, David.” And with that, David reluctantly loaded the extra round.

But all that was twelve hours ago and David was back driving the streets, looking for Goliath.

When he found her, Goliath was sitting on a billboard. David shuddered when he saw her pale smiling face framed by long flowing red hair. The sign advertised a performance of the Hong Kong Dance Ensemble. Goliath was sitting in her red dress, casually swinging her red spike heel shoes.

He drove to the theater but the marquee said the show was sold out.

“What do I do now?” thought David.

“You’ll get in.” came the sultry response.

David parked the car. A man seemed to be waiting for him.

“Mister, I got one ticket left. Third row, orchestra. $300 bucks. You’ll be close enough to see their eyes.” David smiled as he bought the ticket.

Making his way to his seat, David noticed Goliath floating in the rafters, waiting for the right time. David scarcely noticed the beautiful Asian dancers bedecked in golden costumes performing before him. His eyes were riveted on Goliath. He didn’t want to miss the signal. Like the twelve times before, Goliath would sit on the shoulder of the one she wanted.

It wasn’t until the grand finale that Goliath made her choice. She descended slowly and sat on the shoulder of the lead dancer. As the cast assembled for the standing ovation, the lead dancer, a beautiful, long women with coal black hair and ruby red lips, stepped forward with Goliath on her shoulder. David slowly raised Brownie.

It starts with a tender coaxing and the trigger releases. Click. Tink! Firing pin strikes primer. An almost imperceptible sizzle grows rapidly to a roar as Brownie belches fire, it's deadly round sent gliding towards the unsuspecting casualty, unstoppable until it completes it's journey. David watched the bullet dance through the air. Lead piercing flesh, exploding vital organs. The mouth groans in desperation. The body slumps, insulted beyond repair. 13 bodies. David was finished!

This time, however, Goliath smiled but she did not disappear. Instead she seemed to be drawn down to the last body, compelled by some unseen force. The red form of Goliath screamed and was swallowed into the lifeless dancer lying on the stage.

As the last red finger disappeared into the dead dancer, a black-gloved hand burst upward from her chest. Then, little by little, the hand became an arm and then another arm, followed by a body, buoyed by black wings and draped in black chiffon. But where there was a smile on Goliath, David saw nothing. Flowing black hair covered the face of this new manifestation.

Nervously, David turned and tried to blend into the fleeing crowd. He didn’t look back, fearful that this new phantom would be behind him.

David hurried out the exit. The Mustang door seemed to almost open by itself and David jumped into his refuge. He started the car and looked in the rearview mirror. Instead of oncoming cars, David saw himself, his face sweaty and pale. But he wasn’t alone. This new black apparition was sitting on his shoulder!

“Do it.” commanded the sultry black voice.

David took his hands from the wheel and pulled Brownie from his waistband. He only had one shot left. He mustn’t miss. That wouldn't do. David put the muzzle in his mouth and closed his eyes.

It starts with a tender coaxing and the trigger releases. Click. Tink! Firing pin strikes primer. An almost imperceptible sizzle grows rapidly to a roar as Brownie belches fire, it's deadly round sent gliding towards the unsuspecting casualty, unstoppable…

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Update: Just as I did with "Helping Hands," I put together a quick piece on how I wrote "David and Goliath." You can find it at The Writing of "David and Goliath"

posted by VARepublicMan @ 12:24 AM