Short Fiction Break

Break From Reality. Daily.

  • Stories
  • About
  • Staff
  • Writing Contests
    • Current Writing Contest
    • Past Contests
      • 2024 Spring Writing Contest
      • 2023 Writing Contest
      • Fall 2022
      • Spring 2022 Contest
      • 10th Anniversary Contest
      • Spring 2021 Contest
      • Fall 2020 Contest
      • Summer 2020 Contest
      • Summer 2019 Contest
      • Fall 2018 Contest
      • Summer 2018 Contest
      • Spring 2018 Contest
      • Winter 2017 Contest
      • Fall 2017 Contest
      • Summer 2017 Contest
      • Spring 2017 Contest
      • Winter 2016 Contest
      • 5th Anniversary Contest
  • Submit

Context

July 25, 2015 by Guest Author 2 Comments

The following story  is by guest author Frank Taylor. If you enjoy this story, you can find Frank on Twitter at @EverDarkX, or check out his blog on Tumbler: theeverdark.tumblr.com. 

When Joe Vinzetti first saw the grisly scene he thought his lunch might make a return appearance. Thinking back on his past tenure, he could remember seeing some pretty awful stuff, but this was a whole new level of disgusting. “They really don’t pay me enough for this,” he thought for what seemed like the millionth time. He turned and saw Steve Rider putting on latex gloves as he approached. Vinzetti was already wearing his own.

“I hope you haven’t eaten recently.” Vinzetti told Rider by way of greeting.

“Nah, you know I can’t eat on the job. Never know what your gonna see. Right?”

“Yeah. This is a doozy too.”

“No shit?”

Vinzetti laughed, “Yeah. No shit.”

The two men stood together and gazed down at the atrocity before them. The reality of what they were dealing with was slowly sinking in for Rider. When he’d gotten the call he thought it would be bad…but not like this. This was horrible, possibly inhuman.

“Have you ever seen anything like this?” Rider asked.

“Well, yeah,” Vinzetti replied slowly. “I mean, not exactly like this, but similar stuff.” Vinzetti had forgotten that Rider was still in his first year on the job. Vinzetti himself was going on 7 years and had thought he’d seen it all.

“You know, I once found a chicken’s head in a mess like this.”

Rider stared at Vinzetti in disbelief. “A chicken’s head?”

“Yep.”

“The whole thing?”

“Beak and all,” Vinzetti smiled.

“Were the feathers still on?”

“No. No feathers.” He paused then added, “Feathers would’ve been weird though.” Both men looked at each other for a moment then burst out laughing.

“What was it doing there?” Rider asked.

Vinzetti shrugged. “Don’t know. We never found out.”

The radio on Vinzetti’s belt blared to life. “Vinzetti?” He pulled the radio and depressed the button.  “Go ahead.”

“Is Rider there with you?”

“Yes. He just arrived.”

“Good. Now listen, I don’t want you guys making a bigger mess than there already is. Just do what you need to do and get out of there. I have other things for you to attend to.”

Vinzetti was incredulous. “Sir, don’t you think this is of prime importance right now? We need to make sure we don’t miss anything here. I’m sure those other matters can wait.”

“I’m not saying that what you’re working on isn’t big. Just do your job and move on. The world keeps spinning.”

“That’s true,” Vinzetti thought. “The world does keep spinning, and it’s starting to make me dizzy.” He said “Copy,” into the radio, and returned it to his belt.

The two janitors looked at the toilet stall in front of them and both heaved a world weary sigh.

Filed Under: Humor

About Guest Author

This story is from a guest author. Do you have a story you'd like Short Fiction Break to publish? Consider submitting your story here.

« What I Imagine
Dust »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Top Stories

Drama Short Story: The Job by J V Carroll

...

Read More »

Horror Short Story: The Journal Entry of One Violet Cooper by Alice Thompson

...

Read More »

Departure

...

Read More »

The Two Mrs. Masons

...

Read More »

Drama Short Story: Cornfields by Callie Murray

...

Read More »

Resources for Writers

The Write Practice | The Write Shop
Let’s Write a Short Story | Character Test Podcast | Point of View Guide | Best Software for Writers | How to Publish a Short Story

Best of Short Fiction Break

Suspense Short Stories | Magical Realism Short Stories | More Coming Soon

Story Ideas

Short Story Ideas | Mystery Story Ideas | Romance Story Ideas | Thriller Story Ideas | Fantasy Story Ideas | Sci-fi Story Ideas

CONTACT || PUBLICATION RIGHTS || Copyright © 2025