Hope of Deliverance
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…
HOPE OF DELIVERANCE
“Brown bear two to base.”
Howard listened through the crackle on his radio. Nothing.
“Brown bear two to base, come in. Somewhere in Adlin Woods. Caves nearby. Please locate.”
A faint voice: “…received … coming…” Relieved, Howard switched on his locator signal.
Light rain began to fall, so he made for the caves. As he neared the first, he heard movement coming from within. He crept closer, flashlight low to the ground. Inside, he made out the shapes of two bear cubs.
Howard grinned, raised his rifle, and took aim.
But the bears were watching the looming shadow behind him…
Sunday’s our day off from the challenge, so check back on Monday for “I”…
“Hope of Deliverance” is a track on Paul’s 1993 album “Off the Ground.” It was also released as a single, reaching number 18 in the UK, and number 1 in Spain.
Wow. I’m really impressed with you writing a small story each day. And they’re good too.
(It’s my first year doing A2Z, and I get loads of ideas for coming years just by visiting other blogs. Maybe I’ll dare do something like this in the future.)
Thank you, Siv! It took me a few years of doing A-to-Z and following others to realize how beneficial it is to have a theme. I’m glad you’re finding this an inspiring experience! 🙂
Very nice! Always liked that song, too!
Thanks, Silver Fox. It’s definitely my favorite song on that album.
Haha, Howard – serves you right!
Yes, it does. 🙂
Nothing like a bear attack. For the longest time one of my characters was confronted by a massive beer. Editing finally fixed it right up. Great story, Colin, once more. I am amazed at how you come up with so many entertaining stories so quickly.
Thanks, EM. Knowing how long it takes for me to come up with stories for Janet’s contests, I was surprised how quickly the ideas flowed for a number of these. Maybe a title is easier to work with than five words?
Em, one of your characters was confronted by a massive BEER?! Like a 40-ouncer in a can wrapped inside a brown bag? Too bad the editor fixed that right up, your character was all set for a good time!
The last time I was confronted with a massive beer was at a Japanese restaurant, and it was a 22 oz can of Sapporo. I won. 😀
That bastard! Trying to kill baby bears. D8<
~Ninja Minion Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
I know… and he’s about to get his… 🙂
This is a superb story, Colin, and here’s why I say that. Like so many of your others, it’s a great tale with a nice twist ending. But this time, in addition to all that, the reader gets to finish the story and imagine exactly how this despised hunter will meet his end. Love it!
You’re very kind, John. One of the things I liked about this idea was that “hope of deliverance” could apply to either Howard or the bear cubs. At the beginning, it seems it’s about Howard as he’s calling for rescue. But at the end, perhaps it’s actually the bear cubs facing the business end of Howard’s gun. 🙂
Caught up with all your posts finally, Great FF and liked the twist in the endings, even cooler that you’ve aced the prompts of the song titles. A really unique take on the A-Z. Especially like this H one – hope the ghastly hunter gets his just desserts.
Nilanjana.
Ninja Minion, A-Z 2016
Madly-in-Verse
Thank you so much, Nilanjana! I thought this might be a fun way to approach the A-to-Z challenge, and it turned out even more enjoyable than I thought. 🙂
Ha. I love it. I have a meme of two bear cubs standing up obviously looking at someone taking their picture while Mom noses around in some bushes for something to eat. One of them is saying, “Mom, what do you call that thing over there watching us?”
“Dessert.”
lol! Excellent!! Thanks, Julie.
Yay! Another one I didn’t need to read the comments to figure out! LOL I’m really pathetic, aren’t I?
lol! No you are not, Dena. Different minds work differently, that’s all. 🙂
Haha! He’s about to get his just rewards *grins*
Indeed, he it! 🙂
Love that final line, Colin! And a great idea to do a weekly ’round up’!
Thanks, Kai. It dawned on me this past week as I was hopping around other A-to-Z blogs that, as the month goes on, it’ll gradually get harder to catch up with ones I missed since I’ll have to hunt through past articles. That’s what inspired me to make it easy for my blog readers to find previous posts. Glad you like the idea. 🙂