Like the Vampiri, Pansy was attracted to crowds for the easy prey. She also preferred to work at night. The bloodsuckers never bothered her. No wounds at her throat in the morning and no missing time—that she remembered.
For effect, Pansy supposed, VIPs had scheduled this ceremony for the evening. Spotlights played over the courthouse and red flags waved from a podium. A yellow construction crane idled nearby, its arm extended, claw closed on a canvas draped at the top. The new Russian “mayor” was as good as a tent preacher. Pansy worked the pockets and purses of a crowd enthralled by ideologies pouring from stage in a torrent.
When silence fell, Pansy retreated to the periphery. The crane roared and a thousand faces lifted toward the courthouse apex. Pansy scanned the shadows at the gathering’s edge and was sure she spotted one of the Vampiri in black shirt and jeans.
The crowd sighed collectively. Pansy glanced up. The eagle perched atop the courthouse for two centuries was gone, and the two-headed Russian version gleamed like gold in its place. The crowd churned with cheers and clapping. Pansy faded back, taking the same road as the Vampiri.
Sunday Photo Fiction: 200-word stories
Photo Prompt: A Mixed Bag
Muninn's Memories 
June 18, 2017 at 8:54 am
I take it both pickpockets and the Vampiri are making themselves scarce given the Russian takeover.
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June 18, 2017 at 9:01 am
It seems that way in this short scene. Many of the “Pansy tales” I write apart from the longer plot of the novel take on their own unique themes, which is fine with me while I continue to incubate the story. Someday, all will be known!
Thanks for reading, James.
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June 18, 2017 at 12:34 pm
Awesome story! I really want to know what happens next, which I think is often the mark of good flash fiction. Well done.
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June 18, 2017 at 2:34 pm
😀 Thank you.
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June 18, 2017 at 3:02 pm
Great story. Very interesting world.
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June 18, 2017 at 3:15 pm
Thank you. 🙂 🙂 🙂
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June 18, 2017 at 5:40 pm
Pansy looks like she may be taking a long walk.
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June 18, 2017 at 6:37 pm
Thank you for reading, Michael.
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June 19, 2017 at 9:55 pm
So many hints at a rich world in such a short piece, very interesting!
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June 19, 2017 at 9:59 pm
Thanks for the comment, Joy. I always enjoy writing a Pansy tale. 🙂
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June 21, 2017 at 5:17 am
It would seem that’s a place neither vampiri nor pickpockets want to remain. Interesting that modern vampiri would wear a black shirt and black jeans. Good writing, Kecia. 🙂 — Suzanne
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June 21, 2017 at 7:42 am
I had to laugh just now as I realized I was wearing dark brown/almost black pants and a black t-shirt. I swear I’m not a vampire!
Thank you for the comment.
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June 22, 2017 at 12:20 pm
You know me, I always enjoy a Pansy story. Each little flash fiction snippet reveals something new about this world, and I’m so interested in seeing the Pansy novel. The inclusion of the Vampiri in this piece is exciting too.
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June 22, 2017 at 1:21 pm
I’m glad you think so, Mandie. When I told my husband my novel had a girl with a telepathic connection to a raven, a takeover of the US by the Russians, an android antagonist, and vampires, he looked at me like I was crazy. I told him not to worry. It would work!!!
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June 24, 2017 at 5:58 am
I think the Vampiri leave Pansy to her own devices because she may be a threat to them if they don’t. If she moves that silently as is, then they may not know when she is coming for them.
A mutual respect. Although with the russian take over, they may need to start pooling their resources.
Good story Kecia. I like it.
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June 24, 2017 at 7:06 am
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
From the comments on this short piece, I take a sense that the elements of the story are, at least, intriguing. Now…if I can just maintain the interest through a long book someday.
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June 26, 2017 at 6:38 am
I started writing a book based on the flash fiction stories I wrote about a vampire chasing his prey, but it wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. I really hope you can pull it off. I think it would be an interesting read.
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June 26, 2017 at 7:01 am
I understand completely. I have several novel-length works on my computer in various stages of development. The Pansy (Vampiri/Russians/Cyborgs) stories are all going into a big folder that includes files with character sheets, worldbuilding notes, and a tentative plot. What I’ve found to be helpful in finishing a novel-length story is to have a plot laid out, even if it changes. With Pansy, I’m nearly at the point of writing chapters.
Thank you for reading and commenting. Much appreciated!
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June 27, 2017 at 7:54 am
I like that idea. I have normally let stories write themselves which I suppose you can’t really do when writing a novel.
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June 27, 2017 at 8:59 am
I’ve begun many novels that way, but tend not to finish them. To get to the end, I invariably have to return toward a mid-point and establish some structure then begin again. I think the first write is valuable for getting out ideas and providing options. Eventually, though, it peters out–unless, of course, you’re Ray Bradbury, which I am not.
My latest attempts have begun more methodically, and I’ve come to the end of several storylines now, which appear to have a beginning, middle, and end. They’re not good, but they’re closer to something called a book that would provide a satisfying conclusion.
I keep writing…
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