by Jennifer Stakes
A new tag had appeared on the shop wall overnight. Maud shook her head and fetched the scrubbing brush. The scrolling letters HALO faded under her exertions but she could see four more tags nearby; three HALOs and a blocky, multicoloured HOOF. HALO was winning the Southville territory. She shrugged and went back to her scrubbing: gang wars were nothing to do with her.
An aerosol whispered and the letters H and A shimmered onto the Tesco frontage before a shout froze the boy’s arm. Standing across the street was a youth shrouded in a grey sweatshirt, a spray can in his hand. His HOOF tag was still drying on the phone box. There was a flash of a grin, a glimpse of a red horn and the vandal was gone. The boy finished the L and O. Gold gleamed from under his anorak hood as he vaulted a fence and disappeared.
Jennifer Stakes writes in any genre that will take her: poetry, novels, short stories, and blogging. She is fuelled by tea.
*The Pygmy Giant is celebrating National Short Story Week – more tomorrow!*
The Pygmy Giant 
#1 by Jennifer walmsley on November 24, 2010 - 8:43 am
Great visual flash. Loved this clever clash between good and evil.
#2 by Sandra Davies on November 24, 2010 - 10:45 am
Really liked the red and gold exuberance of this – well told tale.
#3 by Jennifer Stakes on November 24, 2010 - 10:25 pm
Thank you for your kind comments, Jennifer and Sandra!
#4 by Stacy Post on December 6, 2010 - 1:23 pm
I had to read this twice. I think the first time, it flowed so smoothly, I missed the finer details. When I read it again, it was spot on. A fearful moment well captured. Bravo!
#5 by Leah on December 6, 2010 - 2:33 pm
Very cool, glistening.