neelwrites/FFfAW/lost-inspectorsharma/06/06/2017

LOST IN THE WILDERNESS

By Neel Anil Panicker

Inspector Sharma pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and covered his mouth.

The effort proved to be in vain. The invasive stench wriggled out of half hidden creeks and crevices edging past rocky outgrowths and mated with other equally repulsive odours.

A second more here and Inspector Sharma knew he would be a dead man; killed, quite ironically, not by a criminal’s .303 bullet but by the vagaries of Nature.

Sharp police eyes took in the details: Male, around 35, five feet nine, well built, expensive white crepe shirt, matching trousers, pure leather pointed brown shoes, gold ring on the left index finger, most likely married, no visible external injuries.

Inspector Sharma scratched his head.

A suicide? In the middle of the forest? Miles from civilization? Who would come this far to kill himself?

Or, is it a murder? Killed elsewhere, body dumped here?

But then his informer had said…

It was then that he heard it, a slight rustling of the leaves behind him. By the time he turned around it was too late.

©neelanilpanicker2017 #FFfAW #fiction #shortstory #175words

Written for FLASH FICTION WEEKLY CHALLENGE

FFfAW Challenge-Week of June 6, 2017

https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2017/06/05/fffaw-challenge-week-of-june-6-2017/