Next…

Keith's Ramblings

For Six Sentence Stories where the given word is Surprise.

Last week… an alluring young woman, her face expressionless… the onlooking revellers were Locals… she produced a red flower and placed it behind my ear…we danced, we twisted, we spun round and round, I laughed….

 

00

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…I woke up in a sweat. It had all been a dream, the pub, the Locals, the young woman; all a dream.

As I crept from my bed, everything seemed to be spinning, I was dizzy, I clung onto a chair to stop myself from falling to the floor, and then I saw it, there on my pillow, a red flower.

I suddenly regained my composure and stood for a few moments trying to make sense of everything; was it a dream or was it real, if it was a dream where did the flower come from, why…what…how…?

There was a bunch of keys on the bedside table, not a bunch I recognised until that was I spotted the tag on which was inscribed The Revenant, the name of the pub where this whole crazy experience started.

There was only one thing for it, I had to go back and try to make sense of what I had or hadn’t experienced, so got dressed, left my flat and jumped into my car and when I asked the satnav for directions I was not entirely surprised when it didn’t recognise the address, then when I tried to fire up the engine, it wouldn’t start so I climbed out slammed the door and kicked it, hard. 

By a stroke of luck, a taxi appeared, so I hailed it, climbed into the back seat and asked the driver to take me there and he said nothing, but as we drove off I recognised his face in the mirror, it was the face of a Local, and then…...

To be continued.

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PART ONE CAN BE FOUND HERE

PART TWO CAN BE FOUND HERE

THE NEXT PART CAN BE FOUND HERE

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Thanks to Denise at GirlieOnTheEdge for hosting.

44 thoughts on “Next…”

  2. Sadje Dec 29, 2022 / 11:49

    This is getting more interesting with every new episode

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Spira Dec 29, 2022 / 11:53

    Winter, fireplace lit, a mystery…what’s not to like?!

    Happy New Year, Keith!
    Best wishes for you and yours.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings Dec 30, 2022 / 11:44

      …and a shot of brandy! So true!

      Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year too!

      Like

      Reply
  6. clark Dec 29, 2022 / 16:27

    perfect serial-story installment.
    Opening gave some of us Readers the opportunity to indulge in a “yeah, right. a dream”

    Then, bolstered by enhanced confidence in being ‘smart Readers’ the world (in the story) begins to define itself, if only in refusing to cooperate with the protagonist. (God, doncha’ hate being dizzy in the morning? total, ‘No, you are increasingly mortal. Do not forget that.)

    and the ending? smooth and suspenseful the best kind of cliff-hanger

    good Six, yo

    Like

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings Dec 30, 2022 / 12:25

      I’m not normally one for seral-story telling and always cross my fingers when stabbing the publish button. Let’s hope I don’t fall from the cliff! Thank you for your positive comment, Clark.

      Like

      Reply
  8. larry trasciatti Dec 29, 2022 / 20:46

    The plot thickens. Happy New Year. I Looked up the Revenant online, never before having known of it. It was a movie from seven years ago.~

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings Dec 30, 2022 / 12:45

      Thanks, Larry. I was not aware of the movie before naming the pub The Revenant, but now I’m tempted to watch it!

      Like

      Reply
  15. GirlieOnTheEdge Dec 31, 2022 / 02:05

    Quick pace to the cliffhanger of “And then…” AAGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Well played, Keith. Loving it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  16. dorahak Dec 31, 2022 / 02:32

    Uh-oh. That word. Locals. Always makes me think of cults and rituals. Methinks there’s trouble ahead! Looking forward to more in the New Year, Keith! Cheers!

    Like

    Reply
  17. Liz H Jan 2, 2023 / 02:31

    Locals behind the wheel: could be a toss-up between driven to dreams, or nightmares, or worse….😳
    Unpeeling the next layer next week (serials are fun to do, and to read!)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings Jan 5, 2023 / 11:20

      Thanks, Liz. It’s been many years since I last attempted a serialised story – I’d forgotten what fun it was!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • Liz H Jan 5, 2023 / 15:32

        We”re very much looking forward to sharing in that fun! 🙂🐧

        Like

  18. Natasha Jan 2, 2023 / 07:41

    Love these whodunnit tales! Cant wait for the sequel now, Keith.

    Wishing you and yours peace, ease, joy and light in the bright new 2023. ❤

    N

    Like

    Reply
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