He lay watching, hidden by the elderberry. Its clusters of purple fruit succulent like the woman he watched. Visualising his capture his pupils narrowed as he imagined her softness. She would not be able to escape. She would succumb to his attentions. He’d cut her if she didn’t and she’d know that he would. He’d captured her in the garden on another occasion. She didn’t sit on the love seat often, usually protecting herself with the tools she toiled and turned the earth with. But he watched. Today he’d have success. She sat. He pounced.
“Oh! Killmouski good pussy.”
In response to Charli’s 99 word flash fiction prompt where she asked:
February 16, 2017 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes a watcher. It can be a sentinel like the Watchman formation that overlooks Zion Canyon, or a Big Brother conspiracy theory. How can you use a watcher to set a tone or present a twist?
Respond by February 21, 2017 to be included in the compilation (published February 22). Rules are here. All writers are welcome!
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Lovely twist, Irene.
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Thanks Norah.
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Fine twist! Reminds me of when our Austrian Shepard/Collie mix brought us a muskrat! But then she was protecting her property and family as a guard dog!
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Thanks Jules. I’m surprised a dog brought you a present. Cats often do but not so often dogs.
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I think ‘she’ just wanted us to know ‘she’ was doing her job as a protector. Less of a ‘gift’. More of a ‘see I protected you.’ But then there are dogs that do hunt, rabbit and other small game.
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What a name! Great way to build the horrific tension then produce a cat! You have such mastery of dark humor and twists.
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Thank you. Nice to be back.
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I did not expect that ending, Irene – you really got me!
Late one night, our dog woke the family with a lot of aggressive grunting noises. When we went outside to investigate, he proudly showed us his catch – an opossum hanging limp and bloody from his jaws. The dog was only playing though – he didn’t realize his toy was no longer playing back.
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Oooh how sad. I have to admit ours do that to blue tongues. They have no idea they can cause damage.
Glad I got you.
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What are blue tongues?
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Blue tongues are a strange shaped lizard – they almost have a triangular head and an oval body with 4 legs. Colour varies a little depending on geographical area but all have a huge blue tongue which they use to scare their predators rather than making a run for it. It may have worked with koalas and possums but cats and dogs find them easy prey (cats to eat, dogs just to see what it is) and it always makes me really sad.
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