Daily Flash Fiction Challenge

“Did you hear that?” Melinda said, mid spoonful of cereal, milk dripping back into the bowl.

“What?” Billy said and continued to eat.

“I thought I heard someone screaming,” she said as the spoon finally made it to her mouth.

Just then, there was no doubt as to the sound. “Help me! Help!” It was a woman’s voice.

Melinda and Billy put down their spoons and headed for their apartment door. In the hall they heard more screaming coming from the end apartment, “Hellllllp me!”

They ran to the door and began knocking. “Are you okay?” Billy put his ear close to the door.

“Help! Help!” came the answer from inside.

“What if some maniac is in there and now he comes out for us!” Melinda whispered, pulling Billy back.

Billy shrugged her off. “She needs help. Maybe she fell or something,” and tried the door, but it was locked.

“Help! Help me!” came the shrieks.

Billy banged on the door, “Can you make it to the door? Or we can call 911 for you.”

The elevator opened and a man walked toward them. “Hey! What’s going on?”

Billy turned to him, “Is this your apartment? A lady is in there screaming for help! Hurry. Unlock the door!”

“Yes, hurry!” Melinda said.

The man looked at them amused, as he put his key in the lock.

Melinda backed away. She was thinking she was right and he’s the maniac holding someone hostage. But he opened the door wide, smiled and said, “Come in and meet Max.”

Half expecting to find someone in zip ties, they look and see a huge cage by the window. “Max is my parrot,” he said laughing.

“Help me!” Max squawked.

“My sister thought it was funny to teach him that.”

“Ah, sibling payback,” Melinda laughed.

WC 300