Flash Fiction Frights: The Trash Collector

 (Dark micro horror fiction)

He grumbled when he saw yet another teenager throw litter out of their car.

It was always the young ones who cared so little for the environment.

For years, he had been cleaning the roadsides. The moment he was done, a new driver would go by and throw garbage out their windows.

It was disgusting behaviour that deserved punishment. Since no one else would help, he would have to be the one to dispense punishment.

And so he waited by the side of the road, waiting for the next unruly driver.

At midnight, a car raced past, and the passengers opened their window.

The old man was ready. With trash from the trash bin.

As soon as he was close, he flung the trash at the car.

The wet waste splattered on the windshield.

The car swerved and hit a tree.

The old man was horrified. He didn't expect that to happen. He hadn't meant people to get hurt.

The old man rushed over to the car.

The driver and passenger, both young men, were severely injured.

The old man backed away slowly. He had made a grave error.

The aftermath was brutal and unmistakable.

The entire side of the road was a mess.

He turned back and saw that he didn't have enough trash bags.

He scratched his chin and then sighed. Perhaps cleaning ashes would be easier.

He lit several matches and flung them at the car.

He stood there long after the flames took hold.

The police came to take him away.

He regretted not being able to clear all the trash from the side of the road.