If I Knew You Were Coming... (1st Place)

“Where am I?” Casey looked around. Flames licked at the doorframe of a nearby room. A thick layer of smoke hung in the air. Cries and moans could be heard, though Casey couldn’t make out from what direction. “Is anyone there?” He raised his voice with the inquiry.

The same cries and moans were his only reply. Casey pushed through the smoke and walked into the room with the flaming doorway. A full kitchen complete with spices, pots, pans, and other accessories greeted him.

“A kitchen?”

“Hell’s kitchen to be more precise.” A voice answered.

“This? This is Hell’s kitchen?” Casey squinted in the smoke to see who had spoken. A shiver ran up his spine. “That must mean I’m dead.”

“Yes, and you have KP duty.”

“I do know my way around a kitchen. I’m a chef by trade.”

“We know.”

“We?”

“You’ve been tasked to bake a cake. It’s the devil’s birthday. I’d suggest you don’t screw it up. Get busy!”

Casey worked feverishly over the next hour – measuring, sifting, adding spices – as he strained to remember his best cake recipe. He mixed the ingredients to just the right consistency, preheated the oven, and slid the pan into the oven. He waited.

A sweet aroma filled the small kitchen masking the smoke. The oven timer dinged and Casey – mitts at the ready – slid the perfect cake from the rack. He smiled.

“I’m not sure I’ve ever made such a perfect cake,” he mumbled. After waiting a few moments, he took a can of icing and decorated the masterpiece.

Footfalls behind him made him turn.

“It’s ready. Happy Birthday Devil.”

The Devil took one look at the cake and an evil grin widened on his face. “Fool! Everyone knows that I like everything well done.”

Casey’s face went pale.


300 Words
Flash Story Must contain: Setting in a kitchen with a defective cake