The office was almost empty, someone must have warned them. Empty binders on the floor, a shredder and a pile of staples. The young woman had been pushed into a corner as the two policemen entered.
“This has to be evidence”, Sergeant Yemalain rolled up his sleeves.
“The staples are only circumstantial, we need the paperwork….
or if not…
a confession will do.”
Captain Afanasy moved up to the girl and touched her cheek.
“I leave that to you Arkady.”
As the Captain closed the door. Sergeant Yemalain grinned. He unbuckled his belt and moved closer to the terrified girl.
This image made me think of why you would have all those staples left, and I guessed that there has to be a shredder somewhere (or a copying machine).
At Friday Fictioneers we try to find different stories (in hundred words) in the same picture. Rochelle selects the picture and the example. Join the fun if you want to train your skills in writing.
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May 5 2017
Björn Rudbergs writings 
I think the young girl is going to be another victim of the big corrupt corporation covering their tracks. Nice work. Incidentally, the name of Arkady brought to mind the Arkady Renko novels by Martin Cruz Smith (started with Gorky Park) – have you read them? This scene would fit in with their style and subject matter.
No I have not read it… I just used a name generator for Russian name, and Arkady seemed to fit.
Worth looking out for if you like a good detective / police character.
Wow! That was some good thinking, they way you connected your story with a picture was delightful. And the prompt sounds interesting, I’m going to write one soon!
This is one of my other favorite weekly prompts…
It’s not looking good for her, is it? I shall tell myself he’s going to hit her with his belt, I think. 😉
I’m afraid it doesn’t look good.
Good story. The jury seems to be out as to whether these are staples or paperclips. Whatever they are, they seem to be inspiring a lot of criminal thoughts among us!
I saw staples… let us see what Carol has to say.
They are definitely staples.
They look like that to me… 🙂
I hope at the last moment she can channel kick-boxing, karate and kung fu.
I hope that…
That was horribly effective, Björn.
Thank you.. but I feel bad for writing it.
Crime stories are a legitimate genre, though I have to say I agree with you. Not sure I could write such a scene without sending the girl a rescuer.
Bjorn, you didn’t spell out what happens. Just left it to the reader and as we know, there are some criminal minds amongst these Friday Fictioneers.
When I saw the prompt, I couldn’t work out what they were and went with paperclips based on Rochelle’s take but used staples seems more likely. My take was actually 90% true. I did have a boss with a paperclip fetish.
xx Rowena
I remember someone trying to saving money by prohibiting plastic paperclips… I think we had to spend money for a scratched copying machine,
Dear Björn,
Whether paperclips or staples, your story resonates. I feel for the girl.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I do too….
This is so chilling. My mind is in overdrive.
Mine too….
Oh, this one is twisted. Well written tale. But disturbing. Cheers, Varad
It’s easier to disturb than to sooth
I hope she has the letter opening knife to hand, then beats a hasty retreat.
I think you can always happen.
Seems like a conspiracy but to what end?
Very well written.
I think it will not end well.
Dude, this is so engaging. I love this piece! What a great picture, too. I kind of want to write for it, but I’m gone for a couple of weeks. Kind of hard to write on a phone.
The picture had me thinking… staples or paperclips…
Staples, paperclips or a cup of silver string (which is what I see!) will not matter to that poor girl stuck with such corruption.
Well done, Sir!
A cup of silver string.. that sounds so engaging.
Doesn’t it though? All it what we see, isn’t it?
Good heavens! Someone please rescue that poor girl!
I, too, wondered about a cupful of staples. I think you wrapped it up quite nicely – except for the girl. I’m afraid she’s in for a bit of trouble. Kudos.
Ohhhh how terrifying for the girl! Somehow I think he’ll get the confession he is after.
It’s always the shredding girl in the red shirt that gets it in the end.
Run!
Tracey
This packed a punch! Super, Bjorn! I think the belt was going to be very damaging to her face.
it doesn’t look good either she gets the belt or something worse.
What kind of police force / soldiers are they that behave worse than the criminals? Chilling stuff Bjorn and you did it so well. I feel for you with the crime writing conundrum. I could never write some of the torturous stuff out there – would make myself sick just thinking of it!
He needs a clip around the ea! A brilliant and totally different take.
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Oh boy, poor girl left with all the mess and now Arkady advancing. I think these police play by their own rules.
Perfect description of police methods in totalitarian regimes. And even some that pretend to be democracies. She is a brave woman, staying behind and destroying the evidence (of the resistance I like to think).
That is dark. Poor girl. And a reminder as to why we need all the tools of democracy at our fingertips.
mmm a bit dark…didn’t like that corrupt officer….
Powerful story, Bjorn. A tough subject, but you painted the picture in masterful style.
Very real, for many…
Hope the terrified girl gathers her wits and courage and defend herself with martial arts. Surely her opponent will be taken aback. Love to read mystery/murder/espionage stories.
http://ideasolsi65.blogspot.in/2017/07/thank-you-claire-sheldon-for.html?m=1
Hey,
When I started working where I am now, I had loads of documents to scan in. So it was easier to put the staples in a cup than the bin. So that there is 7 nearly 8 years worth of staples…
Your story is well told bit it males my blood run cold! Perfectly terrifying.
That’s IT! Enough sending comments by phone! 🙂
Your story makes my blood run cold. It makes me mentally curl up in a ball and scream. Abuse is so terrifying.
You portray all too well the bullying and corrupt officer, who makes up the law as he goes. I can think of many purposes for a shredder or a stapler, should he drop his pants!
What a dreadful ending that was! Well written, though.
Yikes! Poor girl is in for some trouble. Not looking good for her.
Ooooo scary. But a good explaination for the staples! I wonder what was shredded?
Awesome. A great ‘take’ on the prompt. I’ve been thinking about getting into some flashfiction myself. I really enjoy the haibun/tanka-prose pieces I’ve done – and flash fiction is really hot right now (hotter than poetry with some publishers of literary journals … or so it seems to me).
Eeekk … seems the young lady might be in for some trouble. Felt chills as I finished the story. You went to another place with this one. Good writing …
Isadora 😎
Terrifyingly well written!
Wonderful take on the prompt. Scary!
Okay, I did not see the ending coming with how they would get the information. That is one corrupt police station. Great write!
Good story, Bjorn. I feel very sorry for the girl left behind.
Terrible ending here.
Great story though.
Damn! It is getting harder to pilfer office supplies these days. Nice one Björn.
Those guys play rough. Poor girl. Good writing, Bjorn. —- Suzanne
Typical that the bosses leave the underlings to face their consequences. Nicely written and sadly realistic
Very unsettling. I hope she’s got an unfurled paperclip in her hand she can put to good use.
Creepy good!
Hey! Love this post, such respect for your blog – I would really appreciate it if you’d check out this post on my blog and lemme know what you think …https://tanyatale.wordpress.com/2017/10/20/short-story-train-spotter/