Comment from Domino 2

Excellent

So, this is how you pass your time when not on fanstory, Deano. No probs - your secret is safe with me. ;-)

Extremely graphic and gory imagery which makes the read all the more entertaining for weirdoes like me. LOL

I assume the police officer wasn't 'brandishing a weapon' similar to yours.

Top 'open' ending to allow the reader to draw their own conclusion as to how and who shot the gun (I assume).

Excellent.

Cheers, Ray

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 13-Mar-2015

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, Rayman, and offering me your thoughts about it. If I've learned anything about writing flash fiction it is to try and not make everything so obvious. We have to have faith enough in our readers to trust them to formulate their own opinions. Horror flash is some of the most difficult to write, I feel. The reveal at the end must be dynamic or you're doomed.

Much appreciated, mate.

~Cheers! :)

Comment from Margaret Snowdon

Excellent

OMG - you are the master
of horror, Dean - and your
work never fails to give
me the creeps, which is what
it is all about - you couldn't
improve on it.

good luck with the contest.

Margaret

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 13-Mar-2015

Thanks, Margaret. As one who writes horror stories and dark poetry, I suppose I should take your comments as the greatest of compliments, LOL.

We'll see just how well it does in the contest after the smoke clears in a few hours. Much obliged, my friend. :)

~Dean

reply by Margaret Snowdon on 13-Mar-2015

It's certainly meant as a compliment, my friend. Good luck. M

reply by the author on 13-Mar-2015

Thanks. It looks like I'm gonna need it. :)

Comment from alf collier

Excellent

Hi Dean. What can I say. Another horror to cringe at!!! Good luck in the contest, that said, there are so many entries that may do well I don't have any idea of the outcome. I just know I like this entry, alf

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 13-Mar-2015

I enjoyed yours too, Alf. I think there are many with a good crack at winning this thing, yourself included. I rarely give reviews until the contest is over. Call me superstitious, heh-heh.

Best of luck to you too. ~Dean :)

Comment from Jacob Collins

Exceptional

Your writing always sends a shiver down my spine, Dean. I almost turned away when I began to read but I spurred myself to read on and I am glad I did, you certainly have a gift for writing horror stories. An excellent piece of writing, I couldn't find anything to critique...Jacob

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 13-Mar-2015

Well, Jacob, from a personal viewpoint, not having anything to edit is always considered a good thing, especially for me, LOL. That being said, we'll see how well others have taken to this terror tale with a twist when the voting is all said and done in just a few short hours from now.

I really appreciate your exceptional rating and comments, my friend. Have a great weekend! ~Dean

Comment from Dorothy Farrell

Excellent

OMG! Dean - how do you think of them??? This is a really brutal and spine chilling write about someone who can only be described as a psychopath. Very well written, as I would expect with suitably gruesome pictures. An ice-pick! Mm. A touch of 'Basic Instinct' there. Very well done. Deserves a 6 which I haven't got. But then all your work is a 6. Good Luck in the contest. Warm regards Dorothy x

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 13-Mar-2015

Thanks so much, Dorothy, I really appreciate the encouraging feedback.

Have you ever seen the movie, Seven, starring Kevin Spacey, Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman? That is the film that inspired this twisted terror tale.

Much obliged for the wonderful review! :)

~Dean

reply by Dorothy Farrell on 13-Mar-2015

Yes, I saw the film. It was a very dark and horrific film. The end, especially. Really shocking. Dx

reply by the author on 13-Mar-2015

One of my personal all-time faves. That, and "Silence of the Lambs", "Secret Window", and "Identity". Those three films I can watch again, and again...and have, LOL. However, my latest new favorite is "The Babadook". If you like movies that scare the life outta you, then I would highly recommend it! ~Dean

:) ~Dean

reply by Dorothy Farrell on 13-Mar-2015

Hi - never heard of The Babadook'. Will watch out for it. Dorothy

reply by the author on 13-Mar-2015

It's new, but out on Amazon Instant video. I review new horror novels and films for Amazon.com on a part time professional basis, and they send me links to whatever they wish me to review, all free of charge. Plus, they pay me (a very small fee, besides all the free books and movies I receive) to do so. The film was one they'd sent to me recently, and it's from Australia.

Terrifying!

reply by Dorothy Farrell on 13-Mar-2015

I find Australian films are usually very good. I remember one Australian horror - forget the name - something like 'Wolf Creek' - it actually sickened me. How do you find the time to do all this Amazon stuff, FS and presumably work? And watch the films, read the books etc.? LOL D.

reply by the author on 13-Mar-2015

I'm disabled and had to quit working due to an extremely bad heart condition about two years ago. So, to be productive and fill my time, I write, do reviews, and work on my novel. Plus, I do all of the housework because my wife works. I never realized what a chore taking care of a house was until I was the one doing it. Man, is it ever a job! :0

Comment from Treischel

Excellent

You never cease to amaze me with the twists and turns in your gruesome tales. This one very sexual. Glad you warned us. You present the crazy distortions of a demented mind. The picture, the awareness, the flash add an incredible ending.

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 13-Mar-2015

Thanks, Tom, I really value your opinions, my friend. I hope folks realize that my stories are the complete antithesis of how I truly am as a person. I simply have a muse who has a taste for the creepier stuff, LOL.

Much obliged for the great feedback! have a wonderful weekend. :)

~Dean

Comment from livelylinda

Excellent

Dean: very well written! One of the creepiest I've read. Glad it was morning and the sun shining brightly so I didn't get scared out of my skin! There is much action within your 198 words and new ideas I haven't read before. Bravo! Linda

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 13-Mar-2015

Thanks so much, Linda. I usually shy try to shy away from goriness. However, I wanted my readers to really loathe this creep named the Puppeteer. Based on reviews I've received so far, I think I may have succeeded, LOL.

Much obliged for the read & encouragement. :)

~Dean

Comment from emrpoems

Excellent

Now you've taken your goriness to an officer's wife and he comes in time to catch you in the act. It is amazing how you use your imagination to create these pieces

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 13-Mar-2015

Thanks, Erica. I hope you realize that these twisted tales are just my muse at work, and nothing like me at all. In fact, my stories are the antithesis of how I really am as a person. I'm just a big ole teddy bear, LOL.

I very much appreciate your review. :)

~Dean

Comment from c_lucas

Excellent

You're gaining fame for your bedtime stories, Dean. (LOL) This is very well written with a smooth flow of words, making for a very interesting read. Good job.

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 13-Mar-2015

Thanks so much for sharing with me your thoughts and comments, Charlie. I appreciate it. :)

Have a great weekend, my friend. ~Dean

reply by c_lucas on 13-Mar-2015

You're welcome, Dean. Charlie

Comment from christianpowers

Excellent

Hi,

You sick sick man. lol This graphic little ditty had me disgusted more than horrified, but, yes, horror certainly made a cameo appearance.

Thank you for the images. I haven't had a nightmare in a while and was due for one.

Great writing, an excellent prompt. Just wish I'd seen it sooner to get in on the fun. You've probably got this one tied up (pun intended), but I will read the others before casting my vote. It's only fair.

Good luck in the booth, and congrats on the 'Sentence starts the story' win, an honor well-deserved.

Christian

 Comment Written 12-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 13-Mar-2015

Heh-heh, well, if I've learned anything from the very thoughtful and astute readers here as it pertains to contests, Christian, nothing is a "given" when it comes to who wins, verses who loses. I wanted this to be gory and graphic for the simple fact that it's a very short piece, and I wanted my readers to absolutely loathe this Puppeteer character. Based upon your complimentary review, I may have succeeded in doing that.

Thanks as well for your congratulatory remarks on the 'Sentence starts the Story' contest. All are greatly appreciated, my friend.

Have a fantastic weekend. :) ~Dean