Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers – State of Confusion

This is my third week participating in the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers challenge. Thanks to Priceless Joy for organising the challenge and to Vanessa Rodriguez for the photo prompt.

What to do: Write a 100-150 word story (give or take 25 words) relating to the photo prompt. If you’d like to join in, click here for guidelines and information, and to read more Flash Fiction.

Here is my response to challenge #6: State of Confusion

As the sun was setting, Gemma stepped out of her apartment into the chilly autumn breeze.  Her high-heels grated against the sidewalk, breaking the silence of the deserted street.  She pulled out her compact mirror and applied another layer of lipstick as she walked.

Gemma stopped and looked around.  Were the ghostly shadows and street lights playing tricks on her eyes or had her car vanished?  She couldn’t remember where she’d parked it.  Tiny shoots of panic were beginning to sprout.

Behind her lights flashed and a car unlocked.  Gemma whirled around and spotted her beloved BMW on the other side of the street.  Confused, she crossed the road.  Footsteps followed.  She fastened her pace, and so too did the footsteps.

With heart pounding in her chest, Gemma hid in a doorway, hands trembling as she fumbled around in the deep abyss of her handbag.  Where are they?

A figure appeared in front of her.  She opened her mouth to scream but nothing came out.

He held out his hand.

“Looking for these?”

(173 words)