The Sinner
I know perps always return to the scene of the crime. So why am I going back, knowing I could be seen? The anniversary is approaching. It’s busy with gill nets in certain seasons; this isn’t one of them. Only drunk and homeless frequent its cold shelter now, and they never talk.
I grunt as I heave the boulder aside.
Crayfish blast away. All that is left of her is bones and skin. I kneel in the rancid mud and pray over my transgressions. Over ending a beautiful life and then hiding my shame. One lake sturgeon closer to species extinction.
[101 words]
Learn more about lake sturgeon here.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the host of
Friday Fictioneers.
Oh that was a surprise ending! I liked the atmospherics of this
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Thanks much, Neil :)
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Yikes! Freaky stuff, Li! Cool story!
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Thanks, Nancy!
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All lives are valuable. (K)
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<3
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brilliant write Lisa – great twist – I had a look at the Lake sturgeon nearing extinction – like so many other species 😕
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Ange, thank you so much. Thanks for taking a look at their situation. I also read that in the US they are taking them off of the list. Really burns me up to know that. Some faceless committee decides who lives and who dies.
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Yes- the ‘power’ often lies in the hands of the wrong people
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Great story, great twist, Li!! 💓
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Thank you, Cindy :)
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xoxoxo
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<3
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Oh darn.
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Fish are people too!
Nice one, Li
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Thanks, C.E.
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Oh my, that’s good, Lisa!
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Thank you, Keith. I just read an openly-admitted-to-be-AI comment that suggested an edit. :::smh:::
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i suppose one has to die so that another can live.
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True, Plaridel, just not them. I can think of many others though who could fill the quota.
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Gosh, what’s living down there as well?
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You certainly had us there. Sturgeon!
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:)
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The most disturbing part about this character has to be his obsession with his returning.
Of course, I don’t know the details of the murder, so I’m just guessing. ;)
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Dawn, it is probably a good thing we don’t know why the criminal is obsessed with returning, only that he will. Thanks much for reading and taking time with the story <3
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Wow, what a twist and an education. So many species, especially wildlife are at risk. No one cares about insects and kill them as nuisances, but they are food do much wildlife and as a result that wildlife is threatened, I heard an a podcast recently that cod are still decreasing despite all the protections because there food source has been depleted. Sigh. Thanks for shining a light on the Lake Sturgeon.
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Michele, thank you for your thoughtful and informed comment. Food webs need to be understood. So sorry about the cod!
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Dear Lisa,
Now that was an unexpected ending. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, thank you :)
Shalom,
Lisa
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Oooooooo creepy set up for that ending! Nicely done
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Thanks, Laurie.
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Great twist. For some, too many, greed knows no bounds. I hope “The Sinner” has learned from her mistake before it’s too late.
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Thanks so much, Nobbin. Me too.
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Loving this take on the prompt. There is so much more to this story, and I hope an eventual redemption arc for the person in it. And for the endangered species as well.
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Anne, thanks so much for your thoughtful comment.
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