Flash Fiction

Justice is Vaudou

Competition Notes ▼

Daily Flash Fiction Challenge  (13+) Enter your story of 300 words or less. #896794 by Arakun the twisted raccoon

Comp Winner - 300/300 words - 3 word prompt

The verdict had been given – guilty. Only his punishment remained.

Janjak led the shackled man towards the bonfire where the villages had gathered; eager to see justice served. His victim stood resolute. The pain she’d endured still visible in the scars that marred her face. She’d never see again.

The drums began their staccato beat as the witch-doctor weaved her way through the congregation with strong and sure steps; an image in white with a matching scarf that covered her dark trestles.

A hush rippled through the crowd.

“Mambo, forgive me,” he pleaded.

She placed her hand on his head. “There is no forgiveness for you. No eternal rest.”

Circling the man like he was wounded prey she drew the veve in the sand to entrap his spirit. She turned to the altar, a simple bench strewn with snake skins and owl bones, and collected the upturned skull that contained the coupe poudre. She raised the bone vessel to the stars and began her guttural prayers.

The man struggled against his binds. The coarse fibres cutting deep into his bloodied wrists with each frenzied movement.

The priestess crouched before her captive and opened her palm to reveal the white powder. She released a long, but gentle breath and stepped back. The fine particles invaded his eyes, his mouth, his nostrils, being drawn deep into his lungs with each gasp. The toxin began its work. Fast. His pulse slowed. His chest stop rising.

JanJak stepped forward and lifted the man’s crumbled body from the ground, discarding it in the open grave.

Standing tall the priestess addressed the expectant bystanders, “Three days he must wait….In the dark…. Underground…. In the cold…. Only then will his punishment begin. Neither alive, nor dead he will remain… A zombie.”