He ducked under the crime scene tape and no one gave him a second glance as he squatted down and inspected the splatter and drag marks. He nodded, scribbling something in a small notebook. Behind him, the swarm of first responders collecting evidence took no notice of him. Why would they? Dressed to match them, he’d even remembered the disposable gloves this time. 

“Find anything?” a detective asked.

“Not yet,” he lied, concealing the incriminating footprint.

“Can’t believe he’s eluded us again.” 

They stood in amicable silence, watching the search. Hunted beside the hunter, waiting for his chance to disappear.

The writing prompt: He ducked under the crime scene tape… inspired this week’s story. I envisioned a story where a criminal manipulates evidence at the scene of the crime and imagined it wouldn’t matter much if someone who belonged there ducked under the keep-out tape. Perhaps he got home and realized he’d left something incriminating behind. Or maybe he likes to mess with people and cause complete chaos.

This micro story is probably as close to a thriller as I’ll ever get to writing one, considering my file of ideas. Instead of halting any project I’m working on, I keep a file where I jot down story ideas, and add any details that come to mind for it. While scrolling through my notes app the other day, I discovered I’d jotted down some intricate ideas for a story I’d forgotten about. I transferred them to The File Of Ideas before being lost.

It’s both strange and exciting to stumble upon a forgotten story idea where I’ve jotted down specifics. The story’s vision often floods back, while other times I wonder what sparked the idea.

I appreciate fellow writers understanding the, ‘I’ve got an idea’ moment. It’s not abnormal to see someone mid-sentence pause and say, “That’d be a great story. Hold on, I’ve got to write it down.”

During a daily writing session, someone asked where we come up with our ideas. It was interesting hearing how inspiration hits everyone differently. For me, it’s often a random word or phrase that makes me say, Yeah, but what if?