3/13/22 Orange Smoke (Part 1)

 Orange Smoke (Part 1)

A young woman walks down the street of her quiet town. Besides a few locals strolling around, and the occasional car passing by, the streets are empty and peaceful. As the woman passes by a garbage can she hears a whispered voice calling out.

“Set me free,” it says slowly.

The woman stops, perplexed by the talking trash can. A little nervous but full of curiosity, the woman approaches the stone can.

“Set me free,” the eerie voice repeats again.

She looks in, expecting to see a strange old man crouched inside the garbage can but instead finds a soft cloud of orange smoke. It is just floating there, not coming from a fire or any other natural source. The woman looks around, assuming the voice is coming from behind the can in the surrounding foliage.

“Come back,” the voice loudly whispers from the can.

The woman returns and looks in the trash can once again, “What are you?” she asks the orange entity.

“A vicious killer who would like to be set free.”

The woman holds back a gasp, “A killer?” she stutters out.

“Yes,” the smoke replies.

“Can’t you get out by yourself, there are holes in the lid, and I assume you can fly or float or…” the woman trails off realizing she knows nothing about this being.

“Yes I could, but where’s the fun in that?” the smoke responds, an evil tone to his words.

The woman thinks for a moment, frozen and unsure of what to say, “Why would I set you free anyway when you have admitted to being a vicious killer?”

“Because if you do, I will spare you.” The woman could sense an evil grin on the faceless smoke. The woman’s heart begins to beat rapidly as she realizes the danger she is in.

To Be Continued

3/13/22