For Katie: Fandango’s Story Starter #176

Trigger Warning: Contains profanity and scenes of violence.

The text message said, “Meet me behind the water tower at midnight. Come alone and don’t tell anyone.”

Jace Windham looked at his phone and quietly exhaled.

“What the fuck does he want now?” Windham asked himself under muttered breath.

He had been undercover for almost six months. And the longer he was undercover, the further he felt he was from the answers.

Who really runs this ring? Who the hell was responsible for all the crap being peddled to school kids and down on their luck businessmen?

Every fucking day, another overdose. Another death. Another psycho checked into an overcrowded ward.

Violet-E had to be the worst shit to hit the streets in decades. And it was up to one Jace Windham to figure out how to stop it.

When Windham pulled up behind the water tower, he saw Marcos Ruello pacing madly back and forth, smoking like a demon.

When Marcos saw the car, he ran at breakneck speed towards Windham.

“J! J! You gotta help me, man!” Ruello exclaimed. He was sweating bullets and in an obvious panic.

“Calm down, man. What’s the fucking problem,” Windham asked, clearly annoyed, “Why the fuck are you dragging me out here at fucking midnight for Chrissakes?”

“It’s this chick, man. I met her earlier…” Marcos’ voiced trailed off.

“So, you called me out here for dating advice, or what?” Windham asked sarcastically.

“Yo, this is serious shit, J! Stop fucking around”, Marcos exclaimed.

“Alright, fine,” Jace said quietly. “What’s the problem?”

“So, I met this chick tonight down at El Tigre. Bro, she was so fine, I’m telling you. She had the sweetest little ass on her,” Marcos almost seemed lost in a daydream for a moment.

“Oh, fuck. Anyhow,” he continued, “we went back to her place and had a few drinks. Everything was going great. We were talking, laughing, having an awesome time. I asked her if she wanted some Violet…”

“Fuck,” Windham said flatly. “OD?”

Marcos nodded his head slowly.

“She’s dead, J,” he said softly.

“Where…,” Windham started to ask.

“In the trunk of my car. I gotta get rid of the body, bro. You gotta help me!” Marcos was beside himself with panic again.

“Marcos, relax,” Windham said plainly. “We’ll figure it out. Let’s see her.”

They walked to the trunk of Marcos’ black ’68 Chevelle SS. Marcos loved that car more than his own mother, most everyone agreed.

When he popped the trunk, it was like Windham’s world came crashing down in an instant.

“Katie,” he whispered softly.

“You know this bitch?” Marcos asked suddenly.

“This bitch…is my little sister, you fuck!” Windham screamed as his right hand connected with Marcos’ jaw.

Marcos toppled to the ground, spat blood and tried to answer.

“J! I didn’t know! I swear! I…”

Before he could say another word, Windham dragged him up by his neck and smashed Marcos’ face into the Chevelle’s rear quarter. As Marcos fell, Windham spotted the tire iron.

A switch within him had flipped.

He snatched it up, and with an unhinged hatred, leapt atop Marcos and pummeled him mercilessly.

Five times, ten times. Fifteen times.

The quiet of the night made the cracking of Marcos’ skull ring out like a gunshot.

Windham beat him with the tire iron until there was nothing left but a dark red puddle where his head once resided.

Panting, Windham stood up and hovered over Marcos’ body. In absolute contempt, he gave one final stomp to the remains before staggering away to collapse next to the Chevelle.

As his muffled tears turned to uncontrollable sobs, the only thing Jace Windham could think of now was burning this entire fucking operation to the ground and killing anyone who stood in his way.

Not for public safety.

Not for law and order.

For Katie.

©The Beginning At Last, November 2024


Comments

43 responses to “For Katie: Fandango’s Story Starter #176”

  1. Wow, this was great, Kevin. I was hooked the entire time. So freakin sad and realistic, too! 😢 Really love what you did with this, even though it’s graphic (which is not something I shy away from) 👏 👏 excellent work 🙏 ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you 😍😊
      It’s a bit gritty, but that’s what the prompt said to me when I read it.
      Very glad you enjoyed it 🤗

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I hear you. Sometimes things just come through that way. And sometimes they need to come out for a reason. Even if it isn’t apparent at the time.
        😍 🤗

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Too true. I don’t know how or why quite often, but I just go with it and see where I end up at times 🥰

        Liked by 1 person

      3. That’s sometimes the best way to be but I still wish I had your gift 🤪 🥰

        Liked by 1 person

      4. It’s my luck. You think I am being funny, but a lot of it truly is and I believe that to a degree.

        Like

  2. Wow that was brilliant hard hitting writing Kevin.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you Maggie. The prompt immediately sent me on that direction as soon as I saw it 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

      1. It really was stellar writing 👏👏

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thank you again. Greatly appreciated. 😊😊

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Always a pleasure Kevin 🤗🤗

        Liked by 1 person

  3. That went from bad to worse fast. Sadly, I’ll bet something similar has actually happened somewhere.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Unfortunately you are probably right.
      The prompt just took me in that direction as soon as I saw it

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Christine Avatar
    Christine

    He should burn it down!!
    I love the use of old vehicle’s
    Bravo

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Christine. A Chevelle just seemed to fit the mood 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Christine Avatar
        Christine

        Muscle cars were the best

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Agreed. My first car was an Olds 442. Classic.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Not all who wander are lost Avatar
    Not all who wander are lost

    Wow! Great twist

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you very much Sarah. The prompt just plain led me there somehow 🙏

      Like

  6. Wow that was an intense story, a real attention grabber. It seems like a really great start of a crime thriller. Extremely intriguing!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you very much Thomas! Very glad you enjoyed it! If time allows i would possibly consider expanding upon it

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I think that is good idea. I would love to read that.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I can’t promise anything, but I may give it a shot 😊

        Liked by 1 person

    2. See now I know Thomas has good taste in books too, I love every one he does a review on 😆

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you Laura. I read the best books.

        Liked by 2 people

  7. Wow! Amazing story bro, you should be putting that in a screenplay. Could be the ticket to Paradise. Great Job!!! 🏆🏆🏆🙏🙏🙏👍👍👍

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you my brother! It’s just where the prompt took me I guess
      If time allows I’d certainly expand upon it at some point 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Dark and intense, Kevin. I felt like I was right there. Epic write and excellent read with impressive graphics!! 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you very much Nancy. Very glad you liked it. The prompt just led me down a dark alley and I decided to follow it 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Gotta follow you gut, Kevin. You chose wisely! 👏🏼👏🏼

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Excellent storytelling, Kevin! Kept me riveted throughout and the ending…oof. But it sounds like Windham is ready to nail those bastards once and for all!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you very much, Fandango! It kind of just came to me and I followed it, even though it was quite grim. I have debated continuing the tale, but that pesky “time” thing 🙄😄

      Liked by 1 person

  10. I like dark and my God this is so grim, that it feels like falling into an abyss 🤩👌 Not for the faint hearted, for sure. Good job Kevin 👍😎

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks very much, Chris. It is a bit grin, even by my standards, but I went where the prompt led me 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

  11. For the love of …….just write the damn book!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Maybe at some point. We’ll see lol
      Thank you Sharon 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

  12. This was just wow, Kevin! Really nicely done. I’d read a book like this. I hope you keep this going. Have a great weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you very much Phoebe. I am glad you liked it.
      I may try but time is not my ally lately lol
      Much appreciated 😊😊

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Fantastic story Kevin. Your realism was amazing. I felt like I was right there with him feeling his anger and pain. Nice work.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you very much, Pennie. It’s dark, even by my standards, but I just went where the story wanted to take me

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Ohh wow. That was a gripping story. Things escalated fast. Marcos was clearly asking for trouble! So sad about Katie though. Windham definitely has his work cut out for him!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Personally, I pity anyone who gets in his way lol
      Thank you, Shweta. Very glad you enjoyed it 🙏😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Ohh yes. Violence is never the answer. But some people can’t quite control their rage.
        You’re most welcome, Kevin.

        Liked by 1 person

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