LitBit #4: Lighting the Fuse

The challenge: to write a story in less than 500 words.

The rules: It must be less than 500 words, it must be complete and it must be clean.

Why not write your own LitBit? Email info@alderway.com with your story.

Today’s LitBit comes from Vincent Moth. 499 words. Enjoy!

LIGHTING THE FUSE

‘Jimmy?’

Chris paused, listening for response. 

‘Jim?’ louder now, he got up and started searching. He couldn’t find him and was getting annoyed. 

‘JIMMY? I NEED MY LIGHTER!’

‘Alright, alright!’ he heard Jimmy respond from somewhere upstairs. ‘Give me a second. I’m just cleaning off the last bit of grout!’ he said defensively.

‘Just pass it here,’ Chris snapped impatiently, heading to the bathroom where Chris was balancing on the edge of the bath, reaching to the top row of tiles. ‘I’m off home. I’ve got nothing left to do. The kitchen’s finished and I can’t do any more in the living room till the carpets go down. I’ve had enough anyway.’

Jimmy somehow managed to steady himself with his grouting hand and reach into his till-then clean pocket to retrieve the lighter.

‘Look, Chris, don’t take this the wrong way but you’ve left early every day this week. You weren’t even here last week. Shall I just do the whole thing myself?’ Jimmy’s easy-going demeanour was stiffening just slightly. ‘I’m only getting half the money. Don’t you think you’re pushing it here, mate?’

He climbed down from his precarious perch and stood facing Chris. This could go any number of ways now. Jimmy knew he was taking a risk. He knew Chris could be unpredictable.

Chris, head down, looking at his fidgeting hands occupied with the paraphernalia of tobacco, glanced up and met Jimmy’s enquiring gaze. He gave nothing away. Suddenly he turned and started to walk away.

‘Where are you going?’ Jimmy put the grouting blade and sponge down and rounded the corner to see Chris heading downstairs. ‘Don’t just walk away, mate. Where are you going?’ He was starting to lose his cool quite severely now. ‘CHRIS!’ he hollered as loudly as he could, ‘Don’t just walk off when I’m speaking to you. What the hell do you think you’re doing?’ Jimmy was shouting now.

Without slowing, Chris spoke quickly, ‘Just leave it. You’ve said enough. I’ll talk to you later.’ He was trying to make his exit but Jimmy was gaining on him now. He got to the front door, hit the handle hard and pulled violently in one motion. He was desperate to get away. Inside, his mind was reeling. He’d felt safe and comfortable with Jim. His heart was pounding as he stepped onto the front path, but he was not fast enough.

Jimmy reached him and gripped hold of his left upper arm and pulled him to a stop. But Chris would not be held. He was scrambling to free himself, and swung his free arm down as hard as he could onto Jim’s grip, smashing away his captor. He tried to run now, but Jimmy was still close.

This time he reached out with both hands and tackled Chris to the ground, both of them hitting the concrete path hard and awkwardly. Chris’ head took the first impact and bore almost all the weight of both men.

Suddenly, all was dark ...

Vincent Moth

Read Vincent Moth’s blog here.