My Words, My World

The Stranger didn’t need the mirror to know she was following. The rain beat a rhythm on the roof of the car that the windscreen wipers joined.
Only an old man in an older car stood between them — no obstacle for her at all.
Back at the bar, he’d called her bluff. His gun had been empty. He knew hers wasn’t.
After the curve, he floored it. A quick look behind showed him she hadn’t moved.
Half the money was hidden. Enough to vanish — but not for long.
Still, disappearing would be enough. For now.
He just needed time

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If you haven’t read the previous stories, you can find them here:

99-word fiction: The Stranger – part IX

99-word fiction: The Stranger – part VIII

99-word fiction: The Stranger – part VII

99-word fiction: The Stranger – part VI

99-word fiction: The stranger – part V

99-word fiction: The stranger – part IV | My Words, My World

99-word fiction: The stranger – part III | My Words, My World

99-word fiction: The stranger – part II | My Words, My World

99-word fiction – The stranger | My Words, My World

Posted in 99-word fiction, 99-words, atmospheric writing, dark fiction, Flash Fiction, noir, Short Fiction Stories, Writing and tagged Flash Fiction, hunted, noir, noir fiction, Suspense, Writing

07 Jun 2025

99-word fiction: The Stranger – part IX

The woman slammed her hands on the steering wheel as she watched the taillights grow smaller. She cursed her stupidity. And the man’s desperate cunning.

Her orders had been clear; all of the money or the story of his dead body in the newspapers.

She knew the consequences if she failed.

She looked at the bag on the seat next to her. Half of what he owed – and enough for her to disappear.

The engine roared as she accelerated out of the car park, the car fishtailing as she struggled to keep it under control.

She had decided.

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If you haven’t read the previous stories, you can find them here:

99-word fiction: The Stranger – part VIII

99-word fiction: The Stranger – part VII

99-word fiction: The Stranger – part VI

99-word fiction: The stranger – part V

99-word fiction: The stranger – part IV | My Words, My World

99-word fiction: The stranger – part III | My Words, My World

99-word fiction: The stranger – part II | My Words, My World

99-word fiction – The stranger | My Words, My World

Posted in 99-word fiction, 99-words, atmospheric writing, dark fiction, noir, Suspense, Writing and tagged Fiction, Flash Fiction, hunted, noir, noir fiction, Suspense, Writing | Leave a comment

31 May 2025

5 Comments

99-word fiction: The Stranger – part VIII

In the light of the open door, two men shook hands, turned up their collars, and ran for their cars. The rain was unforgiving, but the opportunity wasn’t.

The Stranger waited, then slipped between the two cars, lights off. Now she would have to move.

Brakelights flashed as the first car sounded its horn. Her engine idled, smoke curling from the exhaust.

Then the third car blared — longer, impatient. For the moment, he was hidden.

With a screech of tyres, she reversed back into the car park — just as the three cars peeled away into the dark wet night.

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If you haven’t read the previous stories, you can find them here:

99-word fiction: The Stranger – part VII

99-word fiction: The Stranger – part VI

99-word fiction: The stranger – part V

99-word fiction: The stranger – part IV | My Words, My World

99-word fiction: The stranger – part III | My Words, My World

99-word fiction: The stranger – part II | My Words, My World

99-word fiction – The stranger | My Words, My World

Posted in 99-word fiction, 99-words, dark fiction, noir, Non fiction, words, Writing and tagged Danger, Fiction, Flash Fiction, hunted, noir, Noir fction, Writing

24 May 2025

99-word fiction: The Stranger – part VII

The Stranger took shelter in his car, and listened to the rain pound the roof; he could barely hear himself think. For now, the way out was blocked.

She wouldn’t be able to stay there all night, someone had to leave. His only chance was to switch cars.

Out in the street the cops rolled by and he slid lower in his seat. She was bad — the cops were worse. One meant death, and liberation; the other a lifetime behind bars.

I just need to get that money, he thought, just as light spilled from the open bar door.

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If you haven’t read the previous stories, you can find them here:

99-word fiction: The Stranger – part VI

99-word fiction: The stranger – part V

99-word fiction: The stranger – part IV | My Words, My World

99-word fiction: The stranger – part III | My Words, My World

99-word fiction: The stranger – part II | My Words, My World

99-word fiction – The stranger | My Words, My World

Posted in 99-word fiction, 99-words, dark fiction, Flash Fiction, noir, Writing and tagged dark, fear, Fiction, Flash Fiction, hunted, noir, Writing | Leave a comment

17 May 2025

99-word fiction: The Stranger – part VI

Raindrops hit the pavement like pennies from heaven. A neon sign shimmered in the puddles. The Stranger pulled up his collar, stepped off the curb, and walked into hell.
Headlights pinned him. He raised a hand to his face. Behind the beams, an engine roared and tyres screeched.
He ducked his head and ran for the row of parked cars but the woman was fast. He dived behind his car just as she tore past, wind rushing over him.
Brake lights flared. The exit was blocked.
He still had half the money. He just needed to get to it.

The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: the-stranger-part-vi.jpg

If you haven’t read the previous stories, you can find them here:

99-word fiction: The stranger – part V

99-word fiction: The stranger – part IV | My Words, My World

99-word fiction: The stranger – part III | My Words, My World

99-word fiction: The stranger – part II | My Words, My World

99-word fiction – The stranger | My Words, My World

Posted in 99-word fiction, 99-words, dark fiction, Flash Fiction, noir, Writing and tagged chase, fear, Flash Fiction, noir, Noir fction, rain, Writing | Leave a comment

10 May 2025

2 Comments

99-word fiction: The stranger – part V

With one last look at the barman, the Stranger nodded and opened the door. His eyes adjusted. He scanned the car park — just darkness. He knew she hadn’t left. He knew she was waiting for him, out there.

She had his money and a gun. He had a hire car from a company that had all his details. Bad odds. Bad night. His sweat mixed with rain.

In her car, the woman watched, waiting to see which car he took, her telephone in hand. They had half already. They could do without the rest. They could do without him.