Tag: 175 word story

The Ways of the Paths

08/02/2018

She didn’t look back. After all, she was of the Bakiai, and the Bakiai always looked forward. That was how their paths stayed true. … More The Ways of the Paths

A Mother’s Grief

01/09/2017

A Mother’s Grief “We didn’t do anything to it, Ma,” Aeliene said, a waiver in her voice that broke Shylie’s heart all over again. “We were just playing. It came out of nowhere and attacked us. Baen tried to stop it, but, he… he fell… and… and…” Shylie gathered her daughter close. Grief encased her … More A Mother’s Grief

Promises Broken

03/08/2017

Promises Broken The day had promised so much. Bright skies and a clear forecast meant their shift at the lifeguard station should have been pleasant – with only the usual idiots and accidents to worry them. The crystalline sea had lapped at the beach as if no dangers lurked in its depths. It was a … More Promises Broken

Artistic Representations

30/06/2017

Artistic Representations “Will you hold still!” Pikey scowled. “You try standing still this long and see how well you manage it.” He rolled his shoulders. “How much longer?” “I’ll be done a lot sooner if you’d just hold still.” “Fine. Just hurry up, ‘fore I freeze like this forever.” Squiffle gave him a jaunty grin over … More Artistic Representations

Waiting for the Light

24/06/2017

Waiting for the Light Tamrir huddled in the darkness, willing the minutes to slow their passage as he awaited the coming dawn. His sister’s weight pressed reassuringly against his side, and he hugged her close. The night had been long. Ridiculously so. “Is it time yet?” He started, not having realised Ameyi was awake. “Nearly,” he … More Waiting for the Light

Homecoming

17/06/2017

Homecoming Something was wrong. Majif  frowned. He’d spent too long evaluating his enemies’ weaknesses to overlook the lack of guards on the gate. He freed his blades, fearing the worst… Reality outdid expectation. Within the walls guards and servants alike sprawled in macabre display: blood drenched and staring; throats slashed open. The attack had occurred … More Homecoming

The Search

09/06/2017

The Search “They were around here somewhere. I swear!” Tynen scrambled recklessly over the rocks ahead, peering into each nook and cranny with almost feverish intensity. Velana followed at a slower pace, choosing each footstep carefully as she climbed the craggy slope. “No one’s found any in years, Ty. Admit it – you imagined ’em.” Her … More The Search

Winter’s Child

20/05/2017

Winter’s Child He had to wait for winter to arrive. Or so they told him. The summer, they said, belonged to others. He had to wait for the air to turn chilly and the wind biting; for the frost to form on the trees. Only then would it be his time. But the summer seemed … More Winter’s Child

Greeting the Four

11/05/2017

Greeting the Four The seats had been placed with utmost precision: north, south, east and west, each one carefully aligned. Veraen nodded in satisfaction. “Anything else, Sir?” his assistant – Jaeden? Jened? – said, and he gestured in dismissal, shooing the man out of the sacred space. He’d spent too long in preparation to let … More Greeting the Four

The Lady’s Advice

02/04/2017

  The Lady’s Advice “You need to hold your head up high, child,” the lady said, lifting Gilli’s chin with elegant fingers. “Keep your spine straight and your shoulders back.” “I can do that.” “Act as if nothing anyone says or does bothers you. Confidence is essential. You must remain cool, calm and collected at all … More The Lady’s Advice

Silenced

11/03/2017

Silenced It seemed an age since music had last filled Abigail’s home. The piano remained covered: its melodies smothered by leather; its keyboard untouched. But it hadn’t always been so. Once, joyous refrains had resonated throughout the building. Music had been her life. Her passion. And Robert’s, too. Their skillful playing had filled concert halls around the globe. Their life together … More Silenced

Happy Families

26/01/2017

Happy Families It was supposed to be a celebration. David drummed his fingers on the tabletop as his siblings exchanged barbs. Couldn’t they make an effort to get on? Just one evening was all he asked for. But no – they couldn’t even maintain the facade of a happy family for a few hours. He gritted his teeth. … More Happy Families

The End?

20/01/2017

The End? “It’s finally over.” Jonin’s voice held a mixture of relief and sorrow as he gazed at the courtyard below. Helleni hummed her agreement. Leaning into his embrace, she watched in satisfaction as the final cobble was laid. Only they and the workmen were aware of the crypt hidden beneath the stones – and no word of … More The End?

Time to Leave

13/01/2017

Time to Leave The boats were full, despite the lateness of the day. Ingrid paused, her foot poised on the gangplank as she looked back at the town. Her throat tightened as tears threatened to fall. How could she leave? The place was central to all of her memories: she’d married Jimmy in the church on the market place; … More Time to Leave

Susceptible

22/09/2016

Susceptible Willow spotted the pair long before they reached her. The man was perfect, open minded and curious. The woman was more… problematic. She exuded confidence, carrying a fixed world-view that prevented any tampering to her thoughts. But the man was too good to ignore. “Come,” she whispered into his mind. “This way.” He stopped, his vacant gaze turning towards the doorway where Willow … More Susceptible

Captivated

15/09/2016

Captivated Raedan’s hands clenched around the gift box as he listened to the announcement. Lady Seleste had chosen her suitor. And it wasn’t him. Everyone else faded into insignificance as she glided across the hall. With each tilt of her head, each flash of a smile, she set his senses reeling. She’d captivated him from the first. Now he had one … More Captivated

Wisps of Gold

07/09/2016

Wisps of Gold Emily stood beside the piled leaves, peering around the garden for any that might have escaped her notice. It had taken far longer than she’d expected to scrape the mound together, each breeze threatening to undo her work, but she’d been determined to gather every golden scrap she could find. “Well?” she called. “How’s … More Wisps of Gold

Seven PM

25/08/2016

Seven PM Edmund stood on the shoreline. Waiting. It was something he was good at. As a child he’d waited for his father, watching the ticking clock. At seven pm, daily, the man would hear the governess’ report, granting him a fragment of his time: a smile, a question, a word of praise… if the report was fair. On days when … More Seven PM

FFfAW: Sidelines

11/08/2016

Sidelines Jenny hurried past the sports field with her head down, eyes fixed on the path before her. The hubbub of the players stirred memories she’d rather ignore. Plus, he was there. She could hear his voice, bellowing orders over the field. She could feel the weight of his knowing gaze. She’d spent so many hours standing on the sidelines, cheering … More FFfAW: Sidelines

FFfAW: The Children

08/08/2016

The Children “For your disregard of our laws-” “Father, please,” Lia said, tears flowing. But no trace of her doting parent was visible. It was the High Councillor who faced her: stern and forbidding as he passed sentence. “-you are hereby banished.” Her hand tightened on the pony’s reins, and she avoided looking at the children on the … More FFfAW: The Children

FFfAW: Crisis Point

23/06/2016

This post is for Priceless Joy’s Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a challenge that asks you to write a story of 100-175 words based on the photo prompt below. This week’s picture was provided by TJ Paris. Thank you TJ! Crisis Point The library had always been her sanctuary, her escape from life’s hubbub – until her world … More FFfAW: Crisis Point

FFfAW: The Window

16/06/2016

His post is for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a flash fiction challenge run by Priceless Joy, that asks you to write a story of 100-175 words based on the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt was provided by Nonnaci. Thank you Nonnaci. The Window Raen stood in the doorway and considered the benefit of retreat. … More FFfAW: The Window

FFfAW: Perfect Position

30/05/2016

This post is for Priceless Joy’s Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a challenge that asks you to write a story of 75-175 words based on the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt was provided by TJ Paris. Thank you, TJ! Perfect Position Viordan clambered up the scaffolding with the ease of long practice, the familiar weight … More FFfAW: Perfect Position

FFfAW: Inconspicuous

11/05/2016

This post is for Priceless Joy’s Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a flash fiction challenge that asks you to write a flash fiction of 75-175 words based on the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt was provided by S. Writings. Inconspicuous “They’re staring at us.” “Oh, I’m sure they’re not, boss.” Fingers pointed. Eyes clearly … More FFfAW: Inconspicuous

FFfAW: Creations Studio

24/03/2016

This post is for the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers (FFfAW) Challenge, run by Priceless Joy.  The FFfAW challenge is that you write a story of 75-175 words inspired by the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt was provided by Uday . Thank you Uday! Creations Studio The moment Tessa saw the strange doorway her world shifted out of … More FFfAW: Creations Studio

FFfAW: Gifts

09/02/2016

This post is for the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers (FFfAW) Challenge, run by Priceless Joy.  The FFfAW challenge is that you write a story of 75-175 words inspired by the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt was provided by Ady. Thank you Ady! Gifts “Thompson here yet?” Billy jumped, squawking in surprise at the sound … More FFfAW: Gifts

FFfAW: Worth the Risk

04/02/2016

This post is for both the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers (FFfAW) Challenge, run by Priceless Joy and last week’s Tale Weaver prompt from MindLoveMisery’s Menagerie.  The FFfAW challenge is that you write a story of 75-175 words inspired by the photo prompt below. The Tale Weaver prompt is the sending of an SOS. I hope you like it. Worth the … More FFfAW: Worth the Risk

FFfAW: Passing Storm

19/01/2016

This post is for the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers (FFfAW) Challenge, run by Priceless Joy. This week’s photo prompt was provided by me! Thank you PJ for choosing it. The challenge is that you write a story of 75-175 words inspired by the photo prompt below. I hope you like my offering. Passing Storm Eahlwyn stumbled … More FFfAW: Passing Storm

FFfAW: Silent Companion

07/01/2016

This post is for the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers (FFfAW) Challenge, run by Priceless Joy. This week’s photo prompt is from Pixabay. The challenge is that you write a story of 75-175 words inspired by the photo prompt below. I hope you like it. Silent Companion “You see, Eric,” Martha explained, placing a new slide under … More FFfAW: Silent Companion