Here is a snippet from my short story, "Finding Farber."
"Finding Farber" was first published in EXCAPE VELOCITY: The Anthology, in 2011, and can now be read in SPECULATIVE JOURNEYS. This is the opening scene.
***
The early morning tram coming from East Park entered Station 12 ten minutes behind schedule. A lucky break for Banger Dunn. Debris flew into the air as the tram stopped, spattering Banger’s gray overcoat as he hurried to catch the rail-runner before it took off. He grabbed onto what was left of Farber’s arm and shoved him through the tram’s door. Covered with blood that might not be just Farber’s, Farber’s coat sleeve hung like a limp fire hose from his upper arm.
Banger thrust a token into the pockmarked metal depository at the front of the automatic tram and pulled Farber up from the floor. Farber's blood trailed behind them as they walked down the aisle. The tram moved onward, toward 39th street.
Banger shoved newspaper off the back seat and guided Farber into it, next to him. Farber's thin body trembled beneath the big overcoat her wore. Banger moved him closer. Then he noticed the kid, the only passenger on the tram, sitting six rows ahead, staring at them.
Talk about your awkward conversation starters, and with a kid to boot... :-)
ReplyDeleteNothing like being inconspicuous!
ReplyDeleteOops!That could be awkward.
ReplyDeleteI love how you used the description of the blood as a way to draw the reader into the story. I can't wait to find what happens next. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a hook!
ReplyDeleteLike a limp firehose! Love it!!
ReplyDelete