Short Story

No Way Out

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for OLWG #408. The three prompt
phrases are shown below. This is my story.

© Freepik

Just when I was beginning to see a glimmer of hope, it all went to hell.

How I ended up in this deadly game is beyond me. Wait …. I take that back. I know exactly how I ended up here …. booze.

It was this goddamn addiction that brought me to The Four Aces that night. I had a powerful thirst; a couple hours of tossing back ice cold Michelob and I had to piss like a water buffalo.

I musta been in the toilet longer than I thought; when I came out, the bar was empty except for some guys in black suits and dark glasses. They were hanging out at a table with the barkeep who looked like he was ready to bolt. And he would have if the two hulks looming over him didn’t have their doormat-sized hands planted firmly on his shoulders.

I gave serious thought to haulin’ ass back into the toilet but before I could move, I was spotted…..

“Looks like we got us some company, boys.”

…..and a dozen shade-covered eyes turned in my direction. One distinct sound of a finger snapping and I was being dragged to the table to take my place beside the terrified bartender. When I tried to plead ignorance, I was shut down like a juvie in detention.

That, my friends, was how I met Dominic Bulfamanti, boss of the Esposito crime family in Philly. Because of what I may have witnessed in the bar, Dominic considered me a liability; he gave me two choices …. work for him or take a bullet between my eyes. I may be crazy but I ain’t stupid and so I began my new career running drugs.

Dominic really knew how to keep his people motivated; the fucker made sure I stayed loyal by getting me hooked. Anyways, I ran his drugs for about 2 years when we got wind of word on the street: Dominic had gone missing. This was my way out! No more living under his thumb. I didn’t care if I had to get a new face and move to Timbuktu. It was better than this.

That’s when I heard the news and everything got flushed down the crapper. A new boss was coming up from Miami. Who knew Dominic had a son? Well, fuck me sideways!

NAR©2025
#OLWG

Here are the prompts: 1) a light in the graveyard; 2) when you are not; 3) foot on your neck. We can use one, we can use three or none at all. We just need to be creative.

This is “Under My Thumb” by the Rolling Stones

OLWG#408- Midlands

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy’s Notes 🖊️ 🎶, The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk, The Rhythm Section, et al. and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

29 thoughts on “No Way Out”

  4. Ah damn, a rock and a hard place. I would try to gtfo before the son from Miami tries to come find me lol 😆 new disguise, name, everything. Sucks so much, what a crazy life to lead! Great job on the prompts, Nancy! 🙏 I always get into your stories and then want more! 💕 ✨

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    1. Fabulous comment and compliment, Laura! Alluding to these prompts instead of including them as written is a real challenge and I say “bring it on!” I bleed on my stories and it’s so satisfying to know they are appreciated. Thanks so much! ♡🩸 🕶️

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  10. A case of being in the wrong spot at the wrong timeNow, all the exit doors are blackened and tightly shutHell’s a terrible choice: addiction was his smutty crimeNow he’s a dirty cycle of continually being kicked in the butt

    A great old song from the “Stones”, Nancy

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