Imagination

Rat Rat Rat

This happened to be a friend of mine challenging me to write a short scene with the three words as seen above. I gladly accepted the challenge and so, here we are. See if you can find the three words (it could be in a different spelling of the words "Rat") Allow your imagination to take flight and enjoy! 😉

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It was dark outside when the grandfather clock rang. Situated in the middle of snow-white France was a dimly lit cafe, bleary-eyed waiters and waitresses bumping into each other as they got ready for a new day. Patissiers ducked around the kitchen as they prepared pastries while baristas whipped out blenders and coffee machines. Sweet aroma of freshly baked goods flowed through the cafe as they came out of the oven. Artwork pieces in vibrant colours were hung on the wall, a bright contrast against the brick-yellow walls in the shop.

While servers sent neat rows of tarts, cakes and pies into the refrigerated countertops, crumbs of pastries broke away and tumbled down onto the floor. A squeak sounded as a tiny hand shot out from under the steel cabinet, wrapping around the crumb as it disappeared right back into its hideout. People in the cafe didn't notice, too busy bustling around as the first round of customers came trickling in. These people had to be the staff from the hospital around the corner, working tirelessly throughout the night to treat patients. 

Brushed across the sky was a beam of light, turning the sky from pitch black to dusky, lampposts illuminating the street as they flickered on. The tiny hand under the sink continued shooting out, its owner unable to stop itself from feasting on the honeyed bits of bread, cake and buttered crusts. Gladly hidden away from the busy workplace, the rat’s eyes gleamed a bright red as a piece of caramelised peach landed on the floor with a smack. It hissed in frustration as it watched the precious piece of peach fall a few feet too far away from it, its mind racing to get to it. For a split second, it tried to form a plan in its head, craving the prized treasure. However, its desire for the meal overtook its senses, and so, scurrying out of the hiding place, it lunged at the peach, only to come in contact with a hand and an ear-piercing shriek. 

The server who brushed her hand against the rodent screamed, slamming into racks and trays as she stumbled backwards. Trays clashed and clanged onto the floor as people froze, stunned by the sudden commotion. A customer, having the whole scene unravel before his eyes, grabbed a baker’s rolling pin as he ran, chasing the rat down the cafe and towards the door. The creature darted frenziedly in search of an entrance to its hideaway, masterpieces on the side blurring and blending into a dizzying scene as it propelled itself forward. 

A few other courageous customers joined in as the rat fled anxiously, confused by the sudden change in surrounding. Finally being chased out the door and onto the street, it ran, not daring to look back. Hurtling past people on the sidewalk, it only stopped when it reached the barricades of a construction site. People behind it threw themselves onwards, having the same goal of chasing the rat as far away as possible. The rat knew it had outrun the customers, but since it was in too much of a frightened state, it tumbled and knocked over a small tub of tar, causing it to spill all over the pavement. The dark liquid flowed thickly over the snow and onto people’s feet as shocked gasps rang out. The creature, feeling victorious, started scampering away, only to soon find itself also stuck in the dark body of chemical. 

The sun has risen by now, peeping out from behind the clouds. As people jostled against each other to remove themselves from the tar, the rat watched as it was slowly left on its own, shoes left by people being the only companions left to stay with it in the inescapable substance. It hung its head as its thoughts drifted back to the cafe, the place where it could once admire the beautiful artwork, sniff the scent of freshly-baked goods and feast on the crumbs. Snow poured on its body as it shook, regretting about not making a decision first. If only it was able to control its greed, it might still be safe and sound back in its hideout.