Short Story

The Weight

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for Only Murders In My Mind
Weekly Writing Prompt #54. This week’s
inspiration is the photo seen below.

The clang of weights echoed around Ethan, a jarring counterpoint to the frantic rhythm of his thoughts. He ran a hand through already disheveled dark hair, his gaze darting nervously around the pristine gym. Row upon row of gleaming treadmills stood silent, mocking his inability to run from the truth.

He pretended to concentrate on his core, slowly breathing in and out while scanning the gym, but he was distracted. His calloused fingers, usually confident on the rock climbing wall, trembled slightly. He’d received the message just hours ago: “They know. The weights hold secrets.”

The weights. He surveyed the room again. Dumbbells perched on racks, barbells glinting under the fluorescent lights, each a potential vessel of dread. Which one was the key? Or worse, the weapon?

A heavily-built man grunted as he slammed down a barbell, a sound that jolted Ethan. A trio of college girls laughed at an inside joke. An elderly woman complained during her rehab session. Ethan forced a smile, a pathetic attempt at normalcy. He had to solve the mystery, and quickly; the lives of everyone in the gym depended on deciphering the cryptic message. But who were “they”, and what did they know?

Ethan’s level of anxiety surged as the delivery doors swung open and two men began setting up a gleaming new set of free weights. One of the men glanced up, checked out the room, then continued with the assembly. The sweat on Ethan’s palms wasn’t just from exercise and he was seriously questioning his ability to carry out his assignment.

NAR©2025

This is “Under Pressure” by Queen, David Bowie & Annie Lennox

Weekly Writing Prompt

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