Backwards Traveller
This is my fifth April A-to-Z Challenge. The past couple of years, I’ve written 100-word flash fiction each day. This year I’m doing the same, only with a twist: each day’s story will be inspired by the title of a Paul McCartney song. So let’s continue the fun with…
BACKWARDS TRAVELLER
Classes started ten minutes ago, so the hallway is empty as I approach the door. I peer through the window. Mr. Reed’s explaining quadratic equations, but my target’s on the third row: fifteen, bored, and restless. He reaches down to his bag.
That’s my cue.
I burst through the door, and grab Mr. Reed just as the boy rises with the gun.
A pain in my chest. Blood. That wasn’t supposed to happen.
I look up at the boy. His frightened eyes meet mine as he watches himself die, and he realizes he’s just traded one life sentence for another.
We take a day off on Sundays, so check back on Monday for “C”…
“Backwards Traveller” is a track on the Wings 1978 album “London Town.” It also featured on the B-Side of the single “With a Little Luck,” which reached number 5 in the UK charts, and number 1 in the US.
WOW!!! What an ending!!! Colin, your writing is inspirational!!!
Thanks, Kai! This story chafed against my 100 word limit. It needed at least a few hundred words more, but that’s part of the challenge. 🙂
Wow, loved that! And good choice for a McCartney tune. It would have been too obvious to go for “Band on the Run.”
Thanks, Silver Fox! I thought this title had the most potential story-wise and, as you said, the song is one of those more obscure Macca tracks, which made it more appealing.
Colin, once again brilliant. I don’t know how you are going to do this 24 more times. Color me super impressed.
Once again, EM, you’re too kind! Thanks. 🙂 What can I say? Janet’s contests have given me lots of practice.
Love how well you’re tying together the song title with your story. Nice job. And the story itself! You’ve mastered the 100-word flash fiction, sir. Set up the ending and then pull a plausible twist right before our very eyes. Excellent.
True story: I’m driving home officiating a basketball game early afternoon and start singing Band on the Run in my car. I don’t play the radio, so I haven’t heard the song in forever. And suddenly, on the entrance ramp to the highway, it hits me — that’s gonna be Colin’s song today for B. Ha, don’t tell my wife I’m daydreaming about you. She worries about my driving enough already. (For good reason, I’m a horrible driver.)
You’re very kind, sir–thank you! And I’m glad I managed to pull a fast one, defying expectations with my song choice. I’m hoping that if any of the flash pieces suck, the songs will compensate. 🙂
That last line was killer!
Thank you, Patricia. I liked that last line too, and the idea it encapsulated. But boy was it tough trying to fit the whole story concept into 100 words and still give meaning to that last line!
Great story! I love a good time travel tale, and the twist is perfect. I see why you do so well at the Janet Reid challenges. Practice!
Thanks, Celia! I don’t know about always doing well at the Janet Reid challenges, but the practice has certainly helped. 🙂
You have a way with twists.
Thanks, Angie! 🙂
Colin, I don’t know how you’re doing not only the 100-word stories, but also with a song title. You must be really into maso-something. Yikes. Great story.
Thank you, Julie! Believe it or not, I find this fun. Oh, isn’t that the definition of maso-wotsit…? 🙂
Your theme is working and your writing is flawless!
Happy April 5th!
Ninga Minion @YolandaRenee from
Defending The Pen
Parallels
Murderous Imaginings
Wow! Thank you so much, Yolanda. 🙂
Oh! this one is intriguing! I could see it as a whole book. Love it!
I have thought a couple of these could be short stories, at least. We’ll see. 🙂
Oh yes.. they could be extended. I have some that could be extended for the A2Z too… just no time to write them *laughs*