Sonja McGiboney is the Readers’ Choice in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. The winning entry is decided by the popular vote and rewarded with a special feature here today. (In case of a tie, the writer who submitted an entry first is the winner per our rules.) Without further ado, here’s the winning story:
Trading Post
by Sonja McGiboney
Danny heard the whisper, “Get out!”
He ignored it. He had to find his saddle bag.
The empty building loomed ahead. He heard laughter, spurs, and horses neighing, but couldn’t see any of it. “What ye doing here son?”
Danny turned to find nothing but empty dirt streets. The Shaman’s words echoed in his head, “Respect the Spirits, show no fear and do not laugh.”
“Excuse me sir.” Danny said to the air. “I’m sorry to barge in on ya’ll like this, but I need to get my saddle bag.”
The wind pushed open the door. Danny slowly walked inside.
Candles flickered to life.
Danny’s bag lay on the bar. As he walked towards it he felt the swish of a skirt against his legs. He reached for the bag then felt the sharp prick of a knife.
“Tell me why I shouldn’t send you to the bottom of the Loch!”
Danny turned seeing a giant man with red hair, green eyes and, was that a skirt? He almost laughed.
Biting his tongue, Danny said, “Those are my bags. They were stolen from me last week on the stage coach going through Del Muerto. Please sir, they contain medicine for my wife.”
“Do you take the gold too?”
“No sir, only the medicine.”
“Then be off with your bag son.”
“Thank you sir.” Danny grabbed the bag and fled. He glanced back seeing everything. It faded until all that he could see was the sign, “Highland Scottish Trading Co.”
