Tag: Short story

Hell’s guardian

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PHOTO PROMPT © Jan Wayne Fields

“Hey! Look what we got there!!” whispered Gary.

“Is that? Wow! It IS different, isn’t it? We should take it as a sample”. Bosco was pure excitement.

Being herpetologists, they skillfully bagged the snake.

Back in the car and a few miles down, they could not help but observe the contrast of scenes. The forest had morphed into hell’s playground, denuded to make way for a refinery.

Gary regarded the box next to him, holding the precious treasure, a legacy for all generations to come. Bosco’s voice penetrated his thoughts.

“So, what do we name him?”

“Cerberus” said Gary grimly.

Flash fiction in response to Friday Fictioneers hosted by the lovely Rochelle.

In Greek mythology, Cerberus, often called the “hound of Hades”, is the monstrous multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld to prevent the dead from leaving.

Reference:

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/03/new-snake-atractus-ecuador-cerberus-animals/

Pride and Prejudice

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three line tales week 116: an astronaut doing space repairs

“Of all days, today I dreamt that she was an astronaut; out in space installing whatever-it-is on a spacecraft, making us proud” Rita sobbed into her handkerchief. “What a tragedy!”
“It’s ok dear, not everything is in our control….” trailed off Edgar, looking utterly devastated.
Holding hands tightly they watched their ecstatic daughter say “I do” to her artist husband.

Photo credit: photo by NASA (yes, THAT NASA – which is why you want to click through to the full-size picture for the full effect) via Unsplash

 

Flash fiction in response to Three Line Tales hosted by Sonya.

PS: I hope you can forgive my transgression with the title. It was simply too tempting! 🙂

Yes. She does!

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PHOTO PROMPT © Douglas M. MacIlroy

Everything felt good. The sun shining on her face, the luminescent green of the course, the happy vibe in her heart.

Everything felt different. Were these the same greens on which she had walked for so many years? Somehow today, it seemed to pulsate with life.

Everything was perfect. There was Sam, cheering her on; just as she had done for so many years. He looked ecstatic.

She thought about the five words that had started it all.
“Why don’t you try it?”

“Seriously? Do girls even play this?”

“Well, my girl does” he had said kissing her.

Flash fiction in response to Friday Fictioneers hosted by the lovely Rochelle.

Some reference: http://discgolfreviewer.com/wanted-more-women-disc-golfers/

The Evergreen

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It had been two hours and panic finally succeeded in flooding my senses. No more brave face; hope no more.

Where was I? I had seen the same landscape the entire time I was lost – trees too tall; vegetation too dense; forest too evergreen.

I looked up at whatever sky I could find and let the panic flow through tears. Defeated and tired, I plopped down in despair.

Time stood still.

I sensed a movement. Panic again.

Suddenly space was curved, the forest a stretched blur; sky, streaks of blue on a green smear. Entire space cramped into a tunnel around me. I squeezed my eyes shut to kill the hallucination.

Very slowly, I opened my eyes. Tunnel still there. Unthinking, I started crawling.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Flash fiction in response to Weekend Writing Prompt hosted by the lovely Sammi Cox.

This week’s challenge:

Prose Challenge – Write a story with a word limit of 125 words on the theme of ‘timelessness’.

Bonus point for each of the following:

  • using the word “evergreen”
  • setting the story in the photo above

What’s spooky

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photo-20180108154705053
Photo courtesy: Fandango

“Do you think it is true? Could they really be…?”

“Please!! You don’t believe THAT.”

“You know, you’re right. Let it be whatever it is. We are here; we admired; took a picture. That’s all in it for us.”

“Sounds like you are spooked, Karlie. That’s super rare. Are you okay?”

“I don’t know… Something about this place is just… off. Makes me want to get the hell out of here.”

“Then let’s. Come on!”

 

Next day.

“Did you girls really go there? Oh my God!! I can’t believe it!”

“I don’t understand what the fuss is. They were just a bunch of gnarled branches in the middle of the forest. Seriously. I am not showing off or anything. There really was nothing. But somehow, Karlie was terribly spooked.”

“Don’t tell me! Not Karlie!”

“I know!! That was what probably spooked ME – a little. Anyway, I guess she is OK now. There she comes.”

“Hey girls! Glorious morning isn’t it? Looks like the best one in a hundred years” Gloria said from inside Karlie’s body.

Flash Fiction in response to FFfAW hosted by Priceless Joy.

What a wonderful life

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“Happy New Year!!” they shouted in unison.
“Happy New Year!” she smiled back weakly, still groggy from sleep.
Once fully awake, she grinned widely. It was that time of the year when she was most happy. Well, not most. She was most happy on her birthday. There were more presents then! Nevertheless, these words spoken, no, shouted every year always filled her heart with love.

“So Margaret dear, what is your topmost resolution for this year?” Diana asked, plopping herself on the bed beside her as Tom walked over to Margaret’s side.
“Umm… I’m not sure mom… Couple of things?”
“Well, good! What are they?”
Margaret began excitedly.
“I want to study the stars. Apparently, they are the most brilliant objects in the universe. Then, I want to learn maps, so I never get lost.”
“That’s a great plan,” Tom remarked.
“Thanks, dad. I wonder though, how I will keep track of all these classes. I am already in the music and abacus classes. I could get overwhelmed you know.” replied Margaret.
Tom laughed aloud.
“No, you won’t! Of course, you’ll manage it all and very well at that. But we did think you might like a little something to keep you company? That’s why we bought this for you.”

“What is it?” Margaret immediately reached out her arms like any ten-year-old would.
She grabbed at it and felt the hard corners of the pocketbook. Hurriedly she opened it and felt its pages. There was no mistaking it.
“A diary! Oh, I love it… Thank you so much, dad!”
“You are very welcome dear,” said Tom as he bent down to hug his blind daughter.

He felt content and at peace. Life can be so wonderful sometimes.

Flash fiction in response to Weekend Writing Prompt hosted by the lovely Sammi Cox.

This week’s prompt: Write a story inspired by the making – or breaking – of a New Year’s resolution.

Grief

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Story 1: She traded her grief for loneliness.

Story 2: Grief stays; even when happiness deserts.

Microfiction in response to Six Word Story Challenge hosted by Nicola.

So sorry everybody for my absence (again). The medical issues resurfaced :'(. They are under control now and am back… Thank you all for your patience.

Wish you all a very very Happy, Prosperous, Healthy, Peaceful New Year!

 

The romance of it all!

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It was the most romantic place I had ever seen. I loved him more than ever; marveled at his thoughtfulness. All stayed well for less than twenty-four hours. That’s when they arrived.

I now marvel at his naivety, in believing that I would have loved a surprise party; with relatives – on our first anniversary!!!

Microfiction in response to MicroMondays hosted by Varad.

This week’s prompt: “All stayed well for less than twenty-four hours.”

Word count: 54

 

 

 

The Cold Reality

~ Fluid Phrase ~ 18 Comments

 

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

 

She walked on the icy pavement in front of the warehouse; oblivious to the trees that had cried through the night too. Chattering teeth were her answer to the icy silence of the yard. Unable to move anymore, she plopped down in front of the door; hugging herself, trying to stay alive. The sun peeped out, breaking free of its cold shackles and she waited – for death or an angel, she didn’t know.

“Follow your dreams,” they say. But they never say how; how to make a living in an alien city; how not to die there alone and miserable.

Flash fiction in response to Friday Fictioneers hosted by the lovely Rochelle Wisoff.

The sacred tree

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“The great sage sat in penance of the most severe kind for a great many years. He did not break it even through torrents of rain, the harshest of heat or the most freezing cold. Pleased by his persistence, God appeared before him.

‘I am pleased with your penance. Ask for any three wishes and they will be granted.’

‘Oh Lord! I am forever humbled that you chose to appear before a lowly being like me. I cannot thank you enough. I do not seek three wishes. I only need one.’ he submitted meekly.

‘Ask so it may be granted.’

‘I wish to be immortal. But I have no desire to be a human anymore. I wish to be in a place close to you, always within your sight.’

‘So be it’ He granted.

That’s the tale of this tree. They say this is at least 500 years old – as old as the temple. Everyone coming here to worship the Lord also worships the tree. It is supposed to calm the mind and slowly encourage detaching from earthly worries to seek the Lord.” finished the guide.

“How fascinating!” I replied, turning to worship the tree.

Flash fiction in response to Weekend Writing Prompt hosted by the lovely Sammi Cox.

This week’s prompt: Prose Challenge – Tell us a story about “three wishes” in 200 words

PS: This story is entirely fictional.

 

When you stumble

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“How could they have been so mean?”

“Good and bad do exist you know. Life can’t be all good. Sometimes you need to stumble on the bad. Someone, surely wise, has said ‘When you stumble, make it part of the dance’. And you dance! Have you ever learned to dance without an initial stumble? Take this experience as that first stumble.”

Microfiction in response to MicroMondays hosted by Varad.

This week’s prompt: “Good and Bad do exist.”

Word count: 61

Find other entries here.