Bradbury Tales

Samarra Can Wait

Samarra Can Wait

Auberon stared across the crowded marketplace, his gaze held by the hooded man that watched him with equal intensity. The figure raised an arm and beckoned to him with a skeletal finger.

Auberon knew that attempting to outwit Death was a fool’s game. He began to make his way through the crowd toward the dark and waiting figure.

Arriving in front of the hooded spectre, Auberon spoke boldly.

“Have you come for me at last?”

Death shook his skull. “Not at all. I was surprised to see you in this place since our appointment is not due for many years.”


Word count: 100
Flash fiction aimed at exactly 100 words
For The Bradbury, Week 15.
Note: The reference in the title is to the tale entitled Appointment in Samarra, which tells the story of a man who sees Death watching him in the market and tries to escape by journeying to Samarra. Once there he meets Death, who explains his interest in the market by saying, “I was surprised to see you there because I had an appointment with you later that day in Samarra.”