Image copyright: Roger Bultot
From across the road he watched the roof collapse as the fire did its worst. He felt sorry for the Jones family as they stood around wrapped in blankets watching the firefighters fail to save their home of thirty years; they were nice people.
He knew that if anyone asked how it got started, he would tell them. Why not? But nobody would. They never did. When there was a spate of horse slashing, nobody had asked him. When all those cats went missing, nobody thought to speak to him.
He shrugged, went back inside. Switched on his computer.
Written for Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ weekly 100 word picture challenge. Find it here.
patrickprinsloo 
Perfectly creepy. Ugh. Will be looking at my neighbours with suspicious eyes…
Don’t answer the door!
That was creepy.
Talk about disturbed. Some kids who need help are crying for it by causing damage. He would have to be intelligent for no one to suspect. One day it may be in the paper that he injured or killed one or more people.. He probably has no friends, just his computer. So sad. Well done, Patrick. — Suzanne
Thanks Suzanne. He does have a sad life.
If he wants attention all he has to do is marry one of the Kardashians–duh! I guess they haven’t asked him either.
Wouldn’t that be a step too far? Best stay in the shadows.
I would imagine he will finally do something to get the attention he craves. A scary thought. Your story took me there!
Thanks. Hope he lives elsewhere.
Wow. Very creepy, a well told tale. I don’t want to think about how many folks like him might be living in our cities (or our countryside). *Shiver*
Thanks Jan. No too many like him, hopefully. Thanks for reading.
What a creeper. It makes me wonder who is living in my neighborhood…
I’m sure you’re safe. Really! Honest! Trust me!
Horse slashing? Now that’s not something you here about everyday.
Thank heavens for that. When it happens it’s rather distressing. Thanks for reading.
Great story! That’s one creepy guy. I wonder how much harm he’ll have done in the background by the end of his life?
I wish you hadn’t asked that.
Love!
Delighted (in a word).
Yeaugh! Someone is calling for attention loudly here, and never gets it until the big blow up. I’m not sure if this is the same as the narcissistic derangement of the co-pilot of the Germanwings crash (referring to above comments), but there sure are people like this around us, undetected. We don’t need monsters, we have our fellow humans. Great take on the prompt, sorry for babbling.
That’s a fine babble you have there.
Too few resources directed at mental health issues and too much of a taboo subject. And so we get … .
They always say it’s the quiet ones we have to watch.
That’s true. Thanks for reading.
Dear Patrick,
Your last line makes me want to turn off my computer. it was the perfect touch to a perfect story. And I agree with many of the commenters about the overlooked in our lives. The quiet ones. The loners. The sad co-pilots lamenting a lost dream. Life is hard enough without them muddying the waters. Very well done.
Aloha,
Doug
That co-pilot comment is most apt.
We were in deep English- and wifi-free Italy at the time that happened so missed all the analysis (we followed the pictures in the Italian papers – we’re not totally stupid) of that incident. Tragic and like so often, avoidable. (We tore up out air tickets and walked back from Italy.)
Dear Patrick,
When will the police learn that it’s those unassuming quiet types you need to watch out for. Very well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Too true. He’s mixed up because his mum wanted a sugar-and-spice instead.
Ha ha , what a smart ass. Ignore him Rochelle.
A very creepy character. Even the fact that he’d tell them if they asked makes him seem creepier still.
Creepy AND dangerous!
Yes, the next neighborhood occurrence will be Death by Candy Crush! Nice touch of Hitchcock there.
Quite likely.
Apart from our politicians (http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/12/uk-politician-caught-playing-candy-crush-during-parliamentary-meeting.html) I’ve not come across anyone playing that game. Do I need help?
well, they’ll know who to ask now next time.
Randy
But will they bother? Let’s hope so. Thanks for reading.
Oh.. I guess that some guess will just keep escalating till they are caught.. I wonder if he will search for how to make pipe bombs next.
Oh, he/I hadn’t thought of that. Good idea.
Neighborhoods are bizarre things… you captured that perfectly.
Well now. Thanks for reading.
Chilling story! Nicely done.
It’s real. On the street where you live.
I know. I’m back at the computer… typing a reply to you 😉
Why? Why? Why? You should always question the creepy geek next door … and while you’re at it ….. check the basement for bodies.
Tracey
I wish you hadn’t written that last sentence. No sleep tonight!
Right? I was looking around my neighborhood before I slept too.
🙂
Dear Patrick,
This is so good. I often wonder about the people we overlook. Isn’t it interesting how so few of them really overlook us? A friend of mine who died last week was one of the sweet people who always saw everything but never said much. He used his powers for good, but I am left with the feeling that he died knowing far more than anyone will ever know.
All my best,
Marie Gail
Sorry about your loss. Some people are worthy of the sweet epitaph you have just written. Most people I imagine, if we got into their skin.
This made me want to shout at the computer – “go question him!”
Too true. Why ignore him?
That’s seriously creepy. Well written.
Thanks. An interesting prompt.
Sinister. Great character drawn in such a subtle way.
Thanks, Elaine. See you Friday.
Nice, dark story. Horse slashing is concerning in a whole unpleasant ‘Equus’ way.
Cheers
KT
Possibly too dark for a fresh day in spring. Thanks for commenting.
Another chilling story. Well delivered, I wouldn’t want to have him for a neighbor.
Thanks. Not a good neighbour!