The Scream

The problem with leaping depends on the starting point. If the painting is in your own home, great, if not, surprises happen. Katie was hiding from the law and often couldn’t pick and choose the artwork. She liked to move around though, hanging out just inside the frame, so when the opportunity arose, she could leap out when she got hungry or needed a change of scenery. Right now her mouth watered at the wonderful smell of hot buttered popcorn. She was so sick of this guy screaming on the bridge. Always screaming. Throwing caution to the wind she poked her head out of the painting. Seeing the coast was clear she climbed onto the black leather sofa and sat staring at the walls.

"It's called Iris," said a voice.

Katie startled at the intrusion. "What's Iris?"

"The paint color,” said the stranger wearing overalls speckled with every color in the rainbow. He removed his headphones and laid them on a glass end table. “That’s the color you wanted, right?” He held the coveted popcorn in a large bowl and offered it to her. “I used your microwave. I hope you don’t mind. I’m Eddie by the way.”

“Um…no it’s fine, but the painting…”

“Oh yeah, your husband found it at a garage sale. Looks nice over the couch, don’t ya think?”

Katie’s eyes darted around, pushing a fistful of popcorn in her mouth. Where was she?

“You finish the popcorn. I’m starting the kitchen. Your husband said Geranium Red, right?”

She nodded. “Is there anymore artwork here?” This was a mistake.

“No…just that screaming guy on the wall.” Eddie left the room.

Nooooooo! Not again. She didn’t have wings or a prayer. Or, did she?

Grabbing the headphones, Katie leaped.

Word Count: 300