Welcome to my weekly Wednesday Brief flash fiction entry! This is just a free piece of flash fiction (between 500-1,000) words based off of a prompt. I’m part of a wonderful group of flashers 😉 and I’ll have a link to a site where you can read other stories, after my piece.

This week is Radio Static Transmission #8. Jackson Meyer is a 22 year old monster hunter. Blogger and home video extraordinaire, he’s convinced that there are creatures that walk alongside humans. Through his various hunts, adventures and interviews, he finds that he’s right. He’s always been right–there is something that stalks in the shadows. It’s coming for him, and it’s not happy.

Jackson went back to the table and took his seat opposite Cade. A small pile of brown paper shred was on the table in front of the other man. Cade looked up when Jackson plopped down, a guilty smile crossing his face.

“Everything okay?” More shred were added to the small stack.

“Yeah, he’s out of surgery and driving my other buddy crazy.” Jackson said. His coffee was lukewarm, but tasted all the much better knowing that Killen was okay.

“Can I ask you for a favor?” Cade sat back in his chair, tipping it onto two legs.

“What’s that?”

“Would you mind stopping in to say hello to my niece? She really is a big fan and it would make today go a lot easier.” Cade glanced up at him, then back to the table and mountain of shreds.

“Not at all.” Jackson grinned at him. “It would be my pleasure.” He tossed back the rest of his coffee and got up to toss the cup into the trash. Cade followed suit. “You’ll have to lead though, I’d probably send us to the nurse’s station.”

Cade snickered and fell into step with Jackson. “She talks about you and your crew all the time.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Just as a heads up.”

“Your niece likes monster hunting…so what do you like?” Jackson glanced sidelong at the other man.

“The usual.” Cade said, “Long moonlit walks on the beach, candlelit dinners.”

Jackson spluttered, choking back laughter. “Dancing in the surf?”

“How did you know?” Cade winked at him. Jackson felt color rise in his face, and he glanced away. “Honestly, I work a lot. I don’t have tons of free time which blows but I might have a movie collection to keep me company.”

It took a few moments for Jackson to collect himself. The mild teasing brought up other more interesting thoughts, and he wasn’t sure how exactly to react to the sparking pull between them, the electric jolt when Cade’s hand brushed against his. “Who is your favorite director?”

Another subtle touch, the slightest pressure as Cade turned a corner bringing Jackson with him. The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable. Jackson’s heart skipped once, twice the warmth of touch spreading through him. He shook his head, trying to chase away the reaction that he likened to a thirteen year old girl.

“Martin Scorsese.” Cade said. “Interesting that you went to directors rather than favorite movie.”

“I wouldn’t be able to pick a favorite book, it’s a little easier to pick authors.” Jackson replied.

“I can pick a movie though.” Cade said, pausing outside of a closed door. He leaned against the wall, attention and brilliant green eyes focused on Jackson.

“Oh?” Jackson recognized the challenge in the man’s words. “Name it.”

“Raging Bull.” A beat, “Name your favorite book.”

“I can’t.” Jackson shook his head. “There’s no way I can name just one.”

“You’re going to have to.” Cade said. “Susan is going to ask you, and she won’t accept that as an answer.” He crossed his arms over his chest, lips twitched into a smirk.

“The Stand,” Jackson muttered. “Now, can we go in and meet your niece?”

Cade flashed a smile at him, wide and easy and Jackson felt like he was hit by a goddamn truck with the full force of it turned on him. “Hang on just a second.” He opened the door behind him, entered the room, leaving the door cracked open. Jackson could hear the low rumbling tone of Cade’s voice though he couldn’t quite make out the words. A moment later, Cade reappeared. “Come on in man.”

Jackson stepped through the door, letting it fall closed behind him. The room was dimly lit the steady beep of machines filling the space. There was a young woman on the hospital bed hooked up to a massive machine that whirred quietly. Cade was perched on a chair next to the bed, holding the free hand of the girl.

“Holy shit!” She struggled to sit up, the machines beeping frantically, various lines jumping and jerking as she finally got upright. “You’re–you’re holy shit. Uncle Cade you didn’t tell me that it was Jackson!”

“Hi,” Jackson raised his hand in a slight wave. “Your uncle was telling me a lot about you.” He wasn’t ready for the high pitched squeal that followed his statement.

“Move, let him sit down.” Susan twisted her hand free, flapping at Cade. The other man laughed and got to his feet.

“I’ll go get another chair.” He crossed the room to Jackson, pausing long enough–close enough to murmur, “You alright for a few minutes?”
“Yeah, it’s fine.” Jackson said. Focused a little too long on the way Cade’s mouth moved.

“Blow me a kiss, handsome!” Susan called to Cade.

“I promise she won’t bite you.” Cade clapped him on the shoulder and left.

See the other people sharing flash fiction:

Wednesday Briefs Flash Fiction Site

Kazzy Reed
MA Church
Chris T. Kat
Sarah Hayes
Elyzabeth VaLey
Jon Keys
Grace Duncan
Avery
Jim Dunaway
Johayan
Victoria Adams
JC Wallace
Cia Nordwell
Julie Lynn Hayes