Chicken with a flamethrower outside. Help! (6)
I believe the answer is:
afraid
'chicken' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'a flamethrower outside help' is the wordplay.
'outside' suggests removing the centre.
'help' becomes 'aid' (synonyms).
'flamethrower' with its centre removed is 'fr'.
'a'+'fr'+'aid'='AFRAID'
'with' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for afraid that I've seen before include "Fearful, anxious" , "Feeling anxiety or fear" , "Frightened" , "Not confident" , "Filled with fear" .)