Month: June 2016
#81 – Insights
Allen swallowed a mouthful of coffee and rubbed his temple. It was going to be a long, night.
He ran a finger down the list of phone numbers, looking for something – anything – to give him an edge in court.
Danny Banner loved his kids. He wouldn’t hurt a fly.
Allen repeated the thought. He believed every word. The phone was ringing.
“Hi Danny. Ready for the morning?”
“Nervous.”
“Don’t be. It’ll be fi,…….” Allen stopped.
The number beneath his finger made his blood run cold.
“You said you never called her.”
“What?”
“Danny!!”
The silence betrayed them both.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Dariusz Sankowski via Unsplash.
Today’s title was suggested by actor and Manchester-based Equity stalwart Barry Evans. You can find him on twitter @THEbazzaevans. Thanks, Barry.
Take a look at more stories by clicking here and choosing one of the links at random 🙂 And if you like any of the stories, pop a link onto your social media feed.
For more thriller-related stories, click here.
See you tomorrow for another 100 word short story! “Like” the OWOS Facebook page so you never miss a new story.
#80 – Hyperbole
“Did you SEE that catch?!”
Mr. Kirby was jumping in the grandstands, his fists punching into the air. The crowd around him were on their feet: the roar was deafening. Mrs. Kirby covered her ears.
“That’s my boy! Left the other guy for dust! Always a safe pair of hands. Always said so, haven’t I?!”
Mrs. Kirby was peering onto the pitch, far below. Her husband didn’t seem to notice.
“Man, nobody ever catches like that! Did you see the way he launched himself forward,…?”
“Bryce,….”
Mr. Kirby was still whooping in glee.
“Bryce!”
“Yes dear?”
“That’s not our son.”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Abigail Keenan via Unsplash.
Today’s word comes from yet another Doctor Who star – this time the wonderful Barnaby Edwards. Barnaby is a director and actor for Big Finish and also a frequent Dalek operator in the TV series! You can find him over on Twitter @BarnabyEdwards. Thanks for the word, Barnaby 🙂
If you have a word that you’d like me to write a story on, just pop it into the comments section below!
You can find me on Twitter over @timaustin2k. Don’t be shy, do say hi. There’s also a OWOS Facebook Page to “like”.
See you tomorrow for “Insights”.
#79 – Obsidian
It was staring at him. He knew it.
The hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end. Lewis continued his polishing of the glass case, trying not to look at the reflection over his shoulder.
“Shut up! They’ve all gone home. There’s no-one here to look at you.”
Still the jewel stared at him.
Lewis closed his eyes but it didn’t help. The Jewel reached into his memory: its perfect, cut blackness shining under the cold museum lights.
“Okay!” Lewis swang around, his hand reaching for the Onyx stone and brushing it lovingly with the cloth.
“…. okay,….”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Julian Böck via Unsplash.
Today’s story title was suggested by Sarah Doughty, writer and poet of beautiful words over at Hamstring Eulogies. Thank you for the word, Sarah. I hope you enjoy the story 🙂
I’m eager to write more stories based on new words – suggest your one word titles by popping them in the comments section or tweeting them to me @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory.
Don’t make this the only story you read. Click any of the stories to the left of visit the “Pre Loved Words” page above. You never know what you might find to enjoy.
See you tomorrow for “Hyperbole”.
#78 – Abundance
The Six year old girl plucked another apple from the tree, her thumb stroking the firm green flesh and sweeping droplets of water from the skin.
She looked into the garden. Trees were laden, heaving with fruit: rows of vegetables were blooming, leaves reaching towards blazing lightbulbs, far above. The glass biosphere stretched on and on. It was Eden and she was Eve.
The wasteland had blackened the boy’s skin. His hands stroked at his arms as he swayed in the frigid cold beyond the dome, watching the girl through the glass.
She waved as she bit into the Apple.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Cosmic Timetraveller via Unsplash.
Today’s One Word Title comes from Jemma Gross, artistic director of Epsilon Productions – an award winning theatre company based down in ol’ London Town. You can read more about her at http://www.jemmagross.com/ or find her on Twitter @JemmaGross. Thanks Jemma!
Don’t be shy: I’m accepting new one word titles all the time. Just pop your word in the comments with your name or tweet it to me @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory.
#77 – Remember
“Hmmm?”
Ada looked across at the young woman beside her bed, surprised that someone had spoken. Her gaze focused slowly and she smiled.
“My favourite flowers are Chrysanthemums. Do you like Chrysanthemums, dear?”
“Yes, I love them.”
Ada couldn’t understand why the woman was crying. It was such a lovely day and her daughter would be visiting soon. She raised her finger to wipe the tear free from the pretty face and patted her cheek.
“Yes, Chrysanthemums. My Daughter always brings me a bunch.”
“She,…. sounds nice,…..” The woman was trembling as she kissed Ada’s hand.
“Happy birthday, Mom,…”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Callum Skelton via Unsplash.
Okay, I’m sorry. Some days the image that forms isn’t pleasant. I find degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s terrifying and so very deeply sad. I have occasion to visit a nursing home frequently and I see similar scenes every visit. The families who deal with it daily are so strong and I admire them immensely.
If you have a word that means something to you and you’d like to see what I make of it, pop it in the comments and I’ll write you a 100 word short story.
Feel free to “Tweet me up” (that’s a thing, right?) @timaustin2k. And Like the OWOS Facebook Page for a new story delivered straight to your feed every morning.
#76 -Isolation
The light bulb buzzed and spat. Water was dripping down the chord and swirling in a fine spray from the tiny barred window.
Keith sat huddled on a freezing metal bed, eyes locked into the gloom. His throat hummed as he breathed, rocking gently on his lice-ridden mattress.
He wasn’t alone. Keith walked hand in hand with Andrew over the burning pale sands of the beach. Their feet brushed through the dunes and grasses, their laughter rolled into the sky. Hearts raced as lips blessed each other.
Keith was smiling in the darkness.
In his dreams he was never alone.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Ludovic Gauthier via Unsplash.
Another title suggested by Aliki Chapple – mother, activist, actor and proud Grecian. You can follow her and her work over on Twitter @amaenad
I’m looking for new one word story titles all the time! Tell me yours in the comments section or tweet them to me @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory.
Don’t forget to hit that Follow button and Like the One Word, One Story Facebook page here.
See you tomorrow for “Abundance”.
#75 – Plunge
Goosebumps were itching on Eddie’s skin as he looked down into the pool 33 feet below. His head snapped back and he squeezed his eyes tight, a sharp breath hissing between his lips as his toes curled over the edge of the board.
“Okay, that was dumb. Dumb, dumb, dumb!” Eddie whispered. The crowd below had fallen silent.
The world froze for a heartbeat,…
“Hey, Charlie Brown! Time to go splat!”
Anger forced Eddie’s eyes open. People were laughing. People were always laughing. All the time.
Everyone except Mrs. Gomez.
The trembling boy raised his arms.
She would be watching.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image by Markus Spiske via Unsplash.
Suggest your own word by tweeting it to me @timaustin2k and I’ll write a story dedicated to you. Don’t forget to hit the follow button and like the OWOS Facebook pagelike the OWOS Facebook page.
Take a gander at the other romance and coming of age short stories by clicking on the links to the left!
See you tomorrow for another 100 word short story!
#74 – Mimetic
“Go ahead, Senator.”
The scientist was gesturing to the wall, smiling proudly. Gingerly, Senator Steele pressed his palm to the glass.
A wave of light instantly slithered over the surface, melting and shifting into a perfect copy of Senator Steele’s face. The scientist was almost clapping in his excitement.
“Go on,…”
“I am Senator Steele,” the politician stated.
I AM SENATOR STEELE the computer replied, in perfect mimic to the Senator.
“Is that all it does?”
Behind the glass, banks of microchips were thinking.
I AM SENATOR STEELE. I AM TARGET NUMBER ONE. DELETION WILL OCCUR IN SIX DAYS.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image by Verne Ho via Unsplash.
Today’s One Word title was donated by award-winning TV writer and author Robert Shearman. If you’re a Doctor Who fan you’ll know him as the scribe of the 2005 story “Dalek” and a number of Big Finish stories, including my personal favourite “The Chimes of Midnight”. Thank you Robert!
Robert suggested his title on Twitter and you can too – just tweet it to me @timaustin2k
See you tomorrow for “Plunge”
#73 – Nightmare
Peter gasped, his eyes flicking wide and searching the darkness above him. A shiver ripped through his body as he fought to grasp reality.
It was so real,…. so very real,…..
Peter could feel sweat dripping over his skin as he span his feet from the bed, sitting and struggling to calm his breath. He could see the silhouette of his wife asleep beside him.
There was no girl in the garden. There were no flames. He smiled.
Peter stood and walked to the window, checking the lawn below. Nothing.
Only the reflection of the dead girl in the glass.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image by Steinar La Engeland via Unsplash.
Today’s One Word Story title was suggested by Angelica Kidd, author of the Write On Blog which you can find by clicking here. Thanks Angelica!
I’m looking for more words – please feel free to suggest yours. Just pop a word in the comments of this post and I’ll write a story based on that word – simple.
Don’t forget to hit that Follow button and like the OWOS Facebook Page!
See you tomorrow for “Mimetic”!
#72 – Suspicion
Detective Danson ripped into his sandwich, spitting chunks of bread over the sidewalk as he waved Constable Keegan away.
“There’s nothing more to it. Family says she fell. “Spinster dies in accident”: Case closed.”
“Really?” asked the Constable.
The Detective shot Keegan a glare as the Constable turned and trotted across to the Precinct Morgue.
Later that evening Keegan stepped back into his apartment, flinging his magnifying glass onto the table and sitting thoughtfully.
Her ring finger was worn. There was fear in her eyes.
“Was I right?” came a voice from across the room.
“You always are,” Keegan sighed.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image by Gratisography.
Today’s one word title was donated by the breathtakingly talented Izabella Grace – author of sublime Flash Fiction at http://flashfictiononline.com/main/authors/izabella-grace/. You can follow her on Twitter @iza8ella.
This is the OWOS debut of two established characters – Keegan and Lestrade from my Holmesean short thriller “The Santa Beneath the Ice” – available on Amazon. You can read Chapter One of that story Free here (opens a PDF).
If you want to suggest your own one word story title, please do! I’m always looking for new words 🙂 Just pop your word in the comments box below or tweet it to me @timaustin2k
See you tomorrow for “Nightmare”!
One Word, One Story 