The Word What Did Him In

by THX 0477

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It was a cold September evening, unseasonably cold, I’d add. The town, the whole town, met down by the new barn, the one they’d raised together the month before. That had been a happy occasion. The faces hung low though this night, not a grin or chuckle to be seen.

“Y’all knows why we’s here. Le’s git on wi’ it,” Old Clyde spoke hesitantly, and everyone knew he was as unhappy to proceed as the rest. That’s leadership, ain’t it?

The crowd stirred, an uncomfortable shuffling of feet. A bit more jostling and she was brought to the front of the group, hands folded in front her and eyes downcast. He was hers, promised to her if she would have him, if she would save him.

Old Clyde squatted down on the raised loading dock of the barn to address her in his kindly way, “Naw girl, lissen good girl, we’uns all knows what he done. Th’ole county know what he done, and what he d’serves. But I’m a askin’ ye girl, and only ye, is he worth savin’?”

And then she said the word, the word that killed him, “No.”

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Comments

Average Reader Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5

  1. The Word What Did Him In

    Stovohobo's Buddy Icon Stovohobo

    Posted 4 months ago

    Hmm, very intriguing. It raises many possibilities. Did he commit a crime, or is he innocent? Is he being attacked by the townspeople? Where is he? Very open-ended for a sequel, but also enough to keep finished right here. Nice job.

  2. The Word What Did Him In

    SKermitgorf's Buddy Icon SKermitgorf

    Posted 4 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    wow.. what had he done? mysterious.. ambiguous.
    LoA

  3. The Word What Did Him In

    ChrisWDP's Buddy Icon ChrisWDP

    Posted 4 months ago

    Good mystery, interesting to see what could be next.

  4. The Word What Did Him In

    Lone Writer's Buddy Icon Lone Writer

    Posted 4 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Whoa there. What did he do??? SEQUEL !!!!
    LoA

  5. The Word What Did Him In

    thebetweenspace's Buddy Icon thebetweenspace

    Posted 4 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    I can’t wait to find out how he found himself in this situation. I also liked the dialect.

  6. The Word What Did Him In

    Tears of Phoenix's Buddy Icon Tears of Phoenix

    Posted 4 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    I’ve tried something with this. I’d like to see this go two directions (a fork?). I did guilty, now someone make him innocent!

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