Duel by Darren Sant.

It finally came down to just him and me in a dark and rubbish-strewn alley in back street New Orleans. The delicious smell of gumbo cooking nearby assaulted my nostrils and demanded my attention. I glared at him grimly my trigger finger twitching.  On the street up ahead a neon sign flashed briefly on, advertising a run down strip joint. We paid it no mind just eyeballed each other wondering who would be the first to draw and break this endless deadlock.

A bedraggled black cat slunk from shadow to shadow stopping only to watch us curiously. Her green eyes reflecting the light and darting from me to him.  We advanced upon each other in unison. We shared the same common purpose. I had waited a long time to get him in this situation.  Revenge for past humiliations would be mine.  I would at long last get my pound of flesh. I felt my heart thump in my chest as much needed adrenaline began to surge around my body. My old adversary must surely be feeling as apprehensive as I was

We stopped just a few paces apart. I eyed his rugged form clad in ripped Levi jeans. His unfashionable leather waistcoat flapped in the light evening breeze. The scar on his left cheek seemed unnaturally pale in the moonlight. His flat cap seemed out of place perched atop his overlarge head at a jaunty angle like a rock on a precipice.

He drew fast, his hands became a blur, but I was quicker.  My trombone reached my lips and I started blowing first.  His trumpet followed mere milliseconds later. The battle commenced.

Darren Sant is a 40 year old writer living in the badlands of Hull.  His writings only get more twisted and cynical with age.  His insane musings have enjoyed publication in Byker Books Radgepacket series and also online.

He can be found on Twitter here: @groovydaz39
He blogs once a week under the name 'Old Seth' here: http://www.craigrobertdouglas.com

13 comments:

Paul D Brazill said...

Fantastic. Great atmospheric writing with a beaut rug-pull ending!

David Barber said...

Really enjoyed this when you sent it in and after a third and fourth read it's still a cracker. As Paul said, its really atmospheric, sucking you in and slapping you with a great (and funny) ending. Short, sweet and spot on.

Well done, Darren!

Groovydaz40 said...

Thanks Lads. It was Inspired by watching episodes of Treme back to back.

Author said...

Ha ha - brilliant! Really enjoyed that, nice work. :)

AJ Hayes said...

Lordy, Lordy. They rambled and they rambled 'til they hit the big throw down. When The Big Guy rings down the curtain on this shotgun shack world, the music he will be NOLA head and toe.
You done up and walkin' good Mr. Sant.

Groovydaz40 said...

Thanks Julie and AJ.

Ian Ayris said...

Great stuff, Darren. You proper had me there. Put me in mind of those colliery brass bands. Loved it.

SueH said...

Great suspense - then that bizarre ending! ;-p
Well, I know a few musicians who are deadly serious about their craft!

Hope you'll be entertaining us with more, Darren

Robin B. said...

Loved how the ending obliterated the image I had of a Western gun battle!

Jodi MacArthur said...

Little Johnny blow your horn! Chemistry and atmosphere. Gorgeous!

Mike Wilkerson said...

This was a fun story to read. Dueling trombonist's...you've got one hell of an imagination, man.

Eric said...

The story drew me in from the getgo -- atmospheric and imaginative. The surprise ending made me smile -- like when you expect a punch and get a kiss.

Chris Rhatigan said...

Ha! Yeah, great atmosphere and a nice little surprise. Well done, sir.