Flash Fiction Friday: Week #38

Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. 


And here is picture prompt #38:

 

 

Protect and Serve
By Michelle Greathouse

“52-86, this is dispatch, report to 371 Oaktree Trace, 911 hangup call.  Records show residence is unoccupied.”

Unoccupied?  Who made the call?  “10-4, dispatch.  Heading that way now.”

Officer Rowena Monroe logged the call, made a U-turn and drove south along Pond Drive, took a left at Spring Street and continued until it crossed Oaktree Trace, where she made a right and continued until reaching 371 .  No lights or sirens,  in case someone was there, she didn’t want to draw attention to herself.

Arriving at 371, Officer Monroe noted a light burning in the front room on the right side of the house.  This home may not be officially occupied, but someone was in there.

Grabbing her flashlight from her utility belt, Officer Monroe switched it on, surprised at how little light penetrated the darkness.

She mounted the stairs and knocked on the door.  “This is the police responding to a 911 call.  Open the door.”  Officer Monroe waited a beat and knocked again.  “This is the police, if you do not open the door, I will assume you are incapable and I will force the door.”  Again she waited.

Determining that no one was going to answer the door, Officer Monroe tried the knob.  It was locked. 

Great.

Taking a step back she found her center of gravity, placed all of her weight onto her left leg and kicked with her right.  The door flew open.

Officer Monroe cleared the entrance.  “Dispatch this is 52-86, I’ve kicked in the door, entering residence.” 

“10-4, 52-86.  Proceed with caution.”        

Rowena Monroe never saw what hit her.  She woke, naked, a chain running from her right ankle to a bolt in the floor - just enough give for her to make it to the small drain in the floor.

“What the hell?”  Rowena pulled on the chain with all her might.

Nothing.

She scanned the room - dirt walls, low ceiling, no windows.  She must be in a basement.  Finally she spotted the stairs, tucked away in the farthest corner of the room.

“You’ll never get out.  I told you, you could never leave me.”

Rowena stiffened.  “David, you have to let me go.  Let me go now and voluntarily enter a 72 hour mental hold, and I will not press charges.”

“You don’t understand Rowena, I can’t be without you.  Ever.  And now, I don’t have to.”

David walked under the stairs, disappearing from sight.  Rowena heard what sounded like a valve turning - and then she smelled it. 

Gas.

“We will be together always Rowena.”

Rowena screamed.

She woke, naked - but covered, an oxygen mask covering her face.  “Officer Monroe, you are safe.  We are on the way to Talbolt General.  Blink if you understand me.”

It was an effort, but Rowena blinked.  “Good.  Just rest.  Won’t be much longer now.”

“Where?”  Rowena clenched every muscle at the rawness of her throat.  “Where's David?”

“I’m sorry Ro, no one else was in the basement.”

The End
Word Count: 501        

Okay. :) This week has been so busy, I didn’t have time for my flash.  I just threw this together within the last half hour. 

Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for all the birthday wishes. :)