Tag: ultra short story

Flash Fiction: Kindred

24/08/2020

Gregory knew exactly what sight would greet him as soon as he heard his brother’s laughter. … More Flash Fiction: Kindred

WWP: Syzygy

08/07/2020

We fitted together so perfectly, we three – like the Sun, Moon, and Earth in conjunction, in perfect syzygy, our friendship was an astronomical event. But now… Now our orbits have shifted. Word count: 30 (+syzygy) *** I’m a little late posting this. The few times that I’ve joined in with Sammi Cox’s Weekend Word … More WWP: Syzygy

Nomad

12/04/2020

She could remember it so clearly: long days spent on the road, sitting in the passenger seat with her mother behind the wheel of their rusting orange car. They’d sung along to pop songs playing on loop. … More Nomad

Childhood Joys

14/12/2017

Imogen’s hands shook as she brushed the gathered debris away from the miniature village, her reeling emotions slow to calm. She righted a fallen bench and straightened a leaning signpost. Despite her best efforts, a clinging miasma of neglect remained. The place felt… empty. … More Childhood Joys

Small Comforts

23/10/2017

Small Comforts Cara dropped onto her bed, tugging the blanket over her shoulders as weariness pinned her to the mattress. Sleep soon began to smother her thoughts. She welcomed its oblivion after the backbreaking work of the day. The voice of the new girl jolted her back to awareness. She was tempted to respond – … More Small Comforts

The Darkness Within

16/10/2017

The light that poured in through her window was the only source of illumination in an otherwise dismal existence. They said her harsh treatment was deserved, that her idle ways had led to an inevitable conclusion. Only she knew just how hard she’d strived to avoid such a fate. She tried not to let bitterness … More The Darkness Within

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

Lessons Learned

20/08/2017

Lessons Learned Hunger gnawed, growing increasingly harsh and insistent as hours dragged by. The dish of food remained frustratingly out of reach. Finn scowled, trying again to rise. This was ridiculous. He didn’t know what she’d done to him, but the old woman was clearly deranged. “If you wish to eat,” she’d said, “use the … More Lessons Learned

Perfect Life

07/08/2017

He’d tried many different jobs over the years – so many, he’d lost track – but nothing had ever inspired him to such passion. Not like this. Standing in the arena, surrounding by screaming fans: he couldn’t imagine a more perfect life. This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales. This week’s prompt is by … More Perfect Life

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

Memories

26/06/2017

  Memories “We’d spend hours down here, remember?” she said, gazing across at the familiar view, her memories dancing as ethereal spectres upon the sports field. They’d been such joy filled hours, packed with fun and games: skipping and jumping and turning cartwheels; running until breathless, before tumbling in a heap on the grass; vibrant … More Memories

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

Visions of Unicorns

04/03/2017

She loved to watch the unicorns as they took their ease amidst the meadow flowers. They shimmered with an allure that drew her eyes time and again. And if no one else could see them – well, that was their problem, really, not hers. This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales. This week’s prompt is … More Visions of Unicorns

Testing Times

03/03/2017

Testing Times Gretnya gripped her husband’s hand, writhing anxiety choking her as the final calf was led into the testing area. Please, she prayed to any deity listening. “It’ll be fine,” Brindel said. “This time it’ll have worked, you’ll see.” The tremble in his voice contradicted the confidence of his words. She squeezed his hand tighter. The … More Testing Times

Reach for the Light

18/02/2017

He’d spent too long reaching for the light – forever striving towards an unobtainable ideal. Anchored within the pitchy depths of perceived reality, nothing ever attained the perfection to which he aspired. But it was time for him to acknowledge: the light already burned within him, and it always had. This post is for Sonya’s Three … More Reach for the Light

Sweetheart

11/02/2017

He’d seemed like such a sweetheart. He’d brought her flowers, held her hand, and kissed her with a passion that whispered ‘forever’ into her dreams. But then he was gone, leaving nothing but the scattered crumbs of her broken heart in his wake. This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales challenge. This week’s photo … More Sweetheart

Career Choices

04/02/2017

His life had been mapped out from the minute he’d been born. His parents had never listened when he’d expressed his preferences; they’d claimed to know what he needed in order to be successful. But he didn’t have to listen to them any more – his life was his own, and no one else’s. This post … More Career Choices

Puddle Splashing

03/02/2017

Puddle Splashing “What are you doing?” Mikey pulled a face. What a daft question. “I’m splashing in puddles, of course.” He was tempted to add ‘silly girl’, but Mummy said he should be nice, even when he didn’t want to be. “Why?” “Because it’s fun.” He leapt towards the next puddle. “Can I have a go?” … More Puddle Splashing