Officer Bankowski, clad head-to-toe in coveralls, stepped around the yellow tape and entered the kitchen.
“Y’know something Banksy?” Dewell joined him in the corner, away from forensics, “I became a cop to arrest drug dealers. To catch bank robbers. Shit, to be a goddamn hero.”
Bankowski was silent, observing forensics at work as they measured the arterial spray (8 foot), outlined the small void in the red mist on the wall (child, 4 foot), tracked the victim’s steps as she ran from her husband.
“I did not expect to see so many kitchens,” Dewell continued in a quiet voice. “So goddamn many.”
100 Words.
Sigh. Another bleak one from me. I seriously intended to be more lighthearted this week, so I googled ‘Kitchen’ and ‘Jokes’ for ideas. Bad idea. The sheer volume of ‘make me a sandwich’ and ‘get back into the kitchen’ jokes depressed the hell out of me. Anyway, this lead me down an entirely different path of googling; misogyny, violence… which resulted in the above.
If you are curious about the title:
Violence against women is a serious problem in Australia where:
– Over 12 months, on average, one woman is killed every week as a result of intimate partner violence.
– A woman is most likely to be killed by her male partner in her home.
I also read a lot about the 2015 Australian Of The Year Award recipient was Rosie Batty, domestic violence victim and campaigner. Just a heads up, don’t google her story if your kids are asleep, as you’ll want to wake them up and give them a cuddle.
Sorry folks.
If you were looking for something more uplifting I recommend checking out all the other 100 word stories (I’m sure someone has a more positive take) or you can check out my Five Sentence Fiction story from Monday here called ‘Brass Ones‘.
Anyway, I promise that next week I’ll try to be positive.
Try.
Cheers
KT
Uncertain Tales 
The kitchen has always been a well known battleground. Second only to the bedroom, I’d guess. Nice tone to the accompanying detective – very convincing.
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Thanks Sandra – I was a bit unsure introducing Banksy as the POV character yet making him silent while Dewell talks. I’m glad you liked it.
Cheers
KT
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Good way to point out a horrible thing.
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Cheers 🙂 thanks for reading and commenting.
KT
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KT, Sometimes a sad story needs to be told so others can learn from it. Don’t be obliged to write “positive” ones. Your message here to fight domestic violence is positive too.
Nice narration and characters in your story.
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Thanks, I appreciate your kind words 🙂
I don’t really feel ‘pressure’ to write something positive, but I also don’t want *everything* to be dark and depressing!
Cheers
KT
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Very hard hitting. I liked this.
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Thanks 🙂
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The tone was edgy and real. I think it’s great writing. Yeah, the subject matter is grisly but so is life sometimes. It’s very effective writing–the kind you would read in a really compelling crime novel.
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Thanks Lorna, appreciate your comment.
After reading a non-fiction book about horrible crimes in my hometown I’ve had half a mind to try my hand at some crime fiction. (I wrote a review of the book actually: https://uncertaintales.wordpress.com/2015/06/06/book-review-the-cruel-city-is-adelaide-the-murder-capital-of-australia-stephen-orr/)
Actually, now I think of it, maybe reading this book influenced my story… hmm.
Cheers
KT
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I appreciate the background to your writing inspiration. As a victim of domestic abuse, I say, don’t apologize for bring attention to the reality of it. No downer here, paint the true picture so others can’t turn a blind eye! Although, as a writer of murder and horror, mine, maybe as a way to deal with the horrors of the past, I understand wanting to write in a less depressing format. Sometimes there is no happy ending, and yet sometimes we rise above and despite it all manage to get as close to possible to happiness as we can. You will find that happy muse, but keep writing – you do it so well! Thank you
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Thanks Yolanda, I’m really glad that you commented on this. I get occasional reservations on writing fiction on difficult topics because there are real people (like yourself) who have been affected by these issues. I’m very glad you liked it and appreciate the kind words.
KT
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Gut wrenching and so very powerful!
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Beautifully Written
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A strong message delivered in a few words….well done.
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Well, I decided not to google Rosy Batty. Your story is alarming enough. Keep writing.
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So many handy weapons in a kitchen, I imagine a lot of the more fatal domestic abuse takes place there.
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Well written, and it certainly got the message across. There are more domestic abuse and killings then people realize.
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outlined the small void in the red mist on the wall (child, 4 foot) This says so much. Well written tale – grisly or no, it depends where the muse takes us.
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Good story – grim yes, but the point of view makes it very powerful. The stillness at the end is great.
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Good story well told about a horrific event – domestic violence. I can hear the despair in Dewell in that last sentence. Well written.
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Yes, this was bleak, but very well told. I thought you got the tone and feel of the scene just right, right down to their names. It was very convincing, KT.
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Too common, and the kitchen is a battle ground in too many cases. women are being battered across the globe I think.
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Very powerful, KT. I love how you’ve used point of view here. You mention your decision to have Banksy silent while Dewell speaks, but what came across to me is that Dewell is speaking for both of them, and Banksy’s assent and agreement is understood. Marvellous work.
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Dear KT,
I don’t know that I can add much to what’s already been said and I’m quite late getting around to everyone. Very powerful story and terrific use of the prompt.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a powerful story. One of your best. Maybe The Best.
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Wow! That’s very kind, thank you:)
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The demeanor of the detectives said a lot. I worked with a former cop. He hated the domestic calls. Half the time the spouse wouldn’t press charges, or if she did, she’d come bail him out two hours later. It was very depressing and one of the reasons he quit the force. A very well written piece.
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Stark and sad story, but well-written using silence and observaiton to explain the protagonist’s attitude. Good story, KT. — Suzanne
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Excellent. Sharp, concise – an economy of words. And yet… wow, what a punch it packs. Not sentimental, not over the top. The resignation in Dewell’s words and tone says it all.
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Thanks Kate, appreciated.
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I think you have to go where the prompt takes you.
Some stories need to be told.
This is one.
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oh! I loved this. The horror of it and the reality of it. All in 100 words. I’m so glad you posted facts on domestic violence. I’m not hopeful that it will end, but it’s more hopeful that this comes more to the fore in our literature…unfortunately, it’s a timeless issue and your story is set in a timeless way.
Ellespeth
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Don’t worry KT. I brought an uplifting story to the party this week. A good story with an emotional undertone, violence of any kind, but especially against someone you should love and protect, is deplorable.
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Oh good – I’ll check it out shortly. 🙂
Thanks for the comment. KT
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Bleak but powerful.
And your stats are distressing.
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