RANDI WITHROW - FLASH FICTION

Randi Withrow was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio where you can experience all the seasons in one week. She is a sophomore Creative Writing Student attending Full Sail University working towards her bachelor’s degree. Her dream is to work as a writer for Bethesda Studios to create games that help others find a community to be a part of like the Elder Scrolls community did for her. She also loves to read, play video games and take long walks. 

FLASH FICTION

​Detective Thomas bent down to the body of a dead cow. Taking his pen from his front shirt pocket, he used it to lift the cow’s jaw.
“Third farm this week.” He said.
               His assistant stood behind him writing down any information that could be useful.
“Do you think there are more creatures like the one that old farmer shot?” His assistant asked.
               Thomas stood and turned. He walked past the boy to his car to grab his walkie. He radioed for any other cops to come to his location, telling them the situation. As he walked back to the corpse, he patted the boy on the shoulder.
“Don’t be a fool. There is no such thing as a mystery creature. Someone knows what it is, we just have to find them.” He said.
               The cops arrived. They spread out around the dead cow. Mary tapped Thomas on the shoulder, holding out her hands.
“It’s a tooth, sir, and it doesn’t belong to the cow.” She said.
Thomas held it, before he placed it into a plastic bag. He handed the bag to Mary, walked to the Captain who just pulled up, and shook his hand.
“What’s going on, Detective? You’ve taken my cops from the streets to come out here in the ass end of nowhere.” The Captain said.
“Another animal, sir. Marcus Locus called it in. He was driving by the area when he saw it by the road.” Thomas said.
The Captain rubbed his nose. He walked towards the scene with Thomas hot on his heels. The Captain took out a handkerchief and plugged his nose.
“What in the name of God is doing this to these animals? It didn’t even eat the cow, it just maimed it.” The Captain said.
He turned to Thomas’s assistant and held out his hand. The assistant struggled to get the folder that the Captain was waiting for. The Captain slapped the folder shut and turned away from the cow. He made no noise, only walked back to his car. Thomas followed him, until the Captain turned, causing Thomas to jump back.
“I want every person on this case. I want to know what that thing is. You’re in charge of this case now, Thomas, don’t let me down.” The Captain said.
He got into his car and pulled out onto the road. Mary was standing behind Thomas when he turned around. Her fingers clenched the folder she held out.
“What is this?” He asked.
“I’ve been doing research, sir, and I think I’ve find something interesting about the creatures that kill the farm animals.” She said.
“Creatures?” He said.
               Mary reached into her pocket and opened a small book she took out.
“Yes, sir, I believe there are more creatures out there. Look, these patterns are across the state not just here. I think there is a pack of them, maybe more hiding somewhere.” She said.
               Thomas rubbed his forehead. He closed the book, put it back into her hand and took out a cigarette. Slipping the lighter back into pants, he moved past her.
“That’s nice, Mary, but we still need to know what the hell the damn things are.” He said.