Short Stories: Inspiration, Crime, Drama

By Jackie Small

What lengths would you go to discover the contents of a mysterious box? How do you tell your best friend her bad choices are hurting more than just herself? When does the end of oppressive bullying for many justify the murder of one? In this series of short stories, Jackie Small deftly explores our moments of shared humanity, through uplifting tales of triumph over tragedy and misfortune with the support of family and friends, to the darker side of human nature when individual desires overcome the sanctity of life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jackie Small
• Release date: Jul 5, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311470607

Jackie Small

Jackie Small is an author of children's books as well as other genres. She loves animals and has two Jack Russell Terriers, her inspiration for the children's series, 'The Jack Russell Adventures'. She lives in Scotland and loves walking her dogs and watching their antics. She also enjoys puzzle games, films and listening to music.

Book preview

Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

The Box

The Box II

A Friend in Need

Hamster - A.W.O.L

Make Your Own Luck

The Note

Killing by Right

Killing by Right II

Other Titles by Jackie Small

About the Author

SHORT STORIES

Inspiration, Crime, Drama

By Jackie Small

Copyright © 2013 by Jackie Small

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This is for Ian

The Box

My heart rate must have been one hundred and sixty beats per minute. I didn't want to die; these people wouldn't think twice about killing me. How would I beat them? How would I be free of them? I was a 20 year old man with a brain of a five year old and the body of a man four times my age. Sure, I had medical problems and my life was probably nearly over anyway, but I had always lived life to the full and taken my share of risks. I wasn't going to die by someone else's hands. No, it would be on my own terms, perhaps even out of my own stupidity.

It was a row over a key, one that both sides desperately wanted, needed even. It opened a box, the contents of which no one knew but the possibility of priceless treasure was enough. The key was very well hidden and only a couple of us had any idea to where it might be.

The men that meant me harm thought I had it and were after me. Joe, the boss of the gang, was of medium build, had an angry face and was feared by his henchman. His signature was a black cowboy hat that he never took off. His ginger hair and pale skin were clearly recognisable and his hazel eyes were bright. This forty-seven year old man was normal to everyone else, but a real danger to me.

I had been walking for sixteen miles, my frail, thin legs ached from the distance. I was heavily sweating and had no water or food left. I decided to stop in a hotel, clean up, have something to eat and drink and get some much needed sleep. I hoped they wouldn't find me as I could go on no longer. I ordered my favourite, egg and chips with a chocolate milkshake and for pudding, apple crumble and custard. Today felt like a special day, I was alive. OK, I was on the run from gangsters, but still alive.

I had ventured a long way from the home I shared with my dad. My mum died when I was seven; a traumatic time for my dad and me. My brain was too young to understand then but I knew something was wrong, someone was missing from my life. The disease that ravaged both my body and mind had been passed to me by my mum. She was a carrier, but since she was completely healthy and showed no symptoms, she was not aware of the danger. The idea of being the cause of her son's condition was unbearable to her. It wasn't her fault and I never blamed her for what I was but she couldn't even look at me sometimes for feelings of guilt. She killed herself at the age of forty with a single, deep knife wound to her left wrist. My dad was devastated but he stayed strong for me.

I slept well that night. In the morning, I got into a warm bath and examined my body with concern. I had deteriorated within the last few months; my normally thin frame was now nothing but a bag of bones. I had breakfast, paid my bill and left the hotel.

Carefully watching for any trouble, I held my gun tight, ready for anything. I scanned my surroundings and then I saw him, just around the corner. The hat, the black cowboy hat. They had found me. I aimed and fired, but missed. One of his henchmen came running at me. I fired again and again until he went down and was still. I killed him. I had never killed anyone before, it was surreal. I ran to the road and hitchhiked a ride. An elderly lady stopped for me and I got in her car, hiding my gun.

Where are you off to, young man?

Erm, I need to get as close to the Highlands as possible, please. I have a cabin there.

That's at least forty-two miles!

Yes, I can offer you some money for your trouble.

"No, that's OK, I'll