Last Escalator Ride
by Alexander Salas
The ascending escalator crawled, testing Jason’s patience. An inconspicuous orchestra played Zeppelin’s ‘Stairway to Heaven’. “Hah, so much for a stairway to heaven.” Jason laughed.
Jason rode alone. He squinted, trying to see the top of the moving staircase. “I can’t see anything…This is taking too long.” He thought about climbing the rising steps. “Fuck it. Just enjoy the ride to paradise, Jason.”
It got hot. Jason began to sweat. He unbuttoned his shirt. His fingers contacted wetness. Jason looked down. Red fingertips greeted him. A cherry blotch grew from his left breast pocket.
Memories exploded in his mind. The bank robbery…the alarm…shooting the manager…hostages…SWAT…gunfire…a sharp pain… “Got shot by the cops. That’s how I died.”
“Damn, it’s getting hotter.” Jason tilted his head up. An endless mirror reflected his ascent as a decent. “Hah, I feel sorry for you buddy.” Pointing at his mirrored image.
Jason felt he was riding a sauna. Perspiration streamed from every pore.
The hidden musical ensemble began a new tune. Jason immediately recognized the song. “AC/DC…Highway to…” He screamed. “I’m not in the mirror.”
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Listening for the words in a quiet corner of the night. The fiction, poetry, and photography of Jason Evans.
About Me
- Aine
- Collaborator and night owl.
Past Contests
- "Elemental" Short Fiction Contest
- "Uncovered" Short Fiction Contest
- "Silhouette" Short Fiction Contest
- "In Vino Veritas" Short Fiction Contest
- "Ascension" Short Fiction Contest
- "Running Wind" Short Fiction Contest
- "Whispers" Short Fiction Contest
- "Restless Dawn" Short Fiction Contest
- "Halo" Short Fiction Contest
- "Endless Hour" Short Fiction Contest
- "Silent Grey" Short Fiction Contest
- "Lonely Moon" Short Fiction Contest (with Anne Frasier)
- "Midnight Road" Short Fiction Contest
- "Two Lights" Short Fiction Contest
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Get the winners of the first 12 Clarity of Night contests in one place! Extras too!!
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18 comments:
OoOoOO.....I actually got chills. A story that makes you react is a great story. Thanks!
good one, alexander :)
i liked how you involved songs into it and the whole mirror effect... wonderfully done!
Interesting take :)
haha, a cool horror story! Great take on the prompt
A visual delight...and at the same time I could "hear" the music in the background. Great story. :)
Ha! Glad I'm not him!
Oh, no! Jason, why did you do it, man?? ;)
The mirror was a great touch. And the growing heat, and sweat, made the dread of his destination all the more palpable. Sizzling interpretation! :)
Great fun! I love that the horror aspect crept in at the end. I enjoyed this very much.
perfectly executed ;)
some great visuals here!
One of those writings when I dislike the MC but enjoy the story nevertheless :)))
Thanks to all of the above who've commented. alex
cool...actually got goosebumps...very well done!
Not seeing his reflection in the mirror could only mean one thing. Yikes!
Well Jason, if you want to be a bad boy, you'll have to suffer the consequences! Great read.
To all of those I have not thanked, thank you for your comments.
alex
Way to turn it around! Funny, yet frightening.
jana
Thanks for being a wonderful part of the contest!
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