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#43 – Beneath
I can see you looking across. I can see your gentle smile: the old friend reflected in your gaze.
Your wave is warm and genuine. It isn’t I who waves back.
No. That hand is the hand of a coward.
While he waves, his small-talk a dull monotone of pathetic apology, I sit here beneath.
I want you. I want those lips that smile their pleasant greeting. I want that waving hand buried in my hair. I want your flesh, your breath, your need,…. your love.
He talks: I scream.
See me,…. Please.
I need you to see me,…
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Photo by frank mckenna on Unsplash
Today’s story was suggested by the staff of Halo Literary Magazine – a wonderful magazine of short fiction by female writers. Issue 1 is due to go to press very soon – read more about it at http://halolitmag.co.uk/ and tweet them @HaloLitMag.
Suggest your one word title and I’ll write a story about it: it’s easy. Just pop the word in the comments or tweet it to me @timaustin2k with the word and the hashtag #onewordonestory.
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#42 – Stunning
Carly hadn’t expected this,…
Flashbulbs were blazing from every side as she stepped from the limousine. The red carpet was shining bright. She waved, expecting the cry of excitement to drop away as the revellers and paparazzi realised their mistake.
She was a bit-part in the movie: a blink-and-you-miss-me nobody. She’d cried at her Mother on the day the première ticket landed on the doormat. And now,.. she was adored.
Carly flashed her brightest smile and twirled. The press strained to take each shot. They loved her!
The trail of toilet paper followed her unseen. She didn’t hear them laughing.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Photo by Zeg Young on Unsplash
Today’s story was inspired by my ol’ uni mukka Rory McNamara – software tester, walking music almanac and producer of the finest Vince McMahon impersonation this side of the Hudson. You can follow him (if that’s your bag) on twitter @RorsDM
Suggest your one word title and I’ll write a story about it: it’s easy. Just pop the word in the comments or tweet it to me @timaustin2k with the word and the hashtag #onewordonestory.
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#41 – Foreseen
The red of her nail shone in the glaring light beneath the crystal ball. With a flourish, the teller skimmed her fingertip across the glass, the faintest whine as the nail tripped the gleaming sphere.
Anabelle rolled her eyes, her arms folding in petulant disregard. Silently she counted the crass theatrical fluff of the performance: the costume-jeweled headscarf, the obvious LED light stand under the ball, the vague smell of a smoke machine. She tutted.
The fortune teller looked deep into the ball, her face flickering in shock.
“Lemmie guess: tall dark stranger?” Anabelle spat.
“No,” the teller whispered.
“Cancer.”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image by Gioia Fabbri via Unsplash.
Today’s story title was suggested by fellow short story blogger RockieRoad276. Thank you so much – I’m looking forward to more fab stories from you. You too can follow them by visiting rockieroad276.wordpress.com/2016/05/06/amber-short-story/
Suggest your one word title and I’ll write a story about it: it’s easy. Just pop the word in the comments or tweet it to me @timaustin2k with the word and the hashtag #onewordonestory.
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#40 – Stretched
“No! Not that door, Joey! Sally-Anne, stop pulling Tony’s hair! Does anyone want to play a game?! Please??”
How did it come to this? A simple party, she said. Light refreshments, a dip in the pool, cake and TV.
“It’ll be easy with us both there,” she said.
He surveyed the chaos as he wandered to the bathroom. He couldn’t be sure what was wall and what was crayon. Why was there was cake inside the CD player? Nothing made sense any more.
His phone rang.
“Honey? I’m still at the airport. How’s the party?”
He locked the door.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image by Stephanie McCabe via Unsplash.
Suggest your one word title and I’ll write a story about it: it’s easy. Just pop the word in the comments or tweet it to me @timaustin2k with the word and the hashtag #onewordonestory.
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#39 – Armenian
The cherry was as sour as Levon’s mood. His mouth welled with juice as he leant against the rusted hulk of his car, his breath billowing in frozen clouds.
The sun was just creeping above the frosted horizon, slowly revealing the pitch-black earth of the fields. Levon remembered days when he would sit with his father and watch the sun rise. Such innocent days when the cherries were still sweet. So long ago.
The trunk of the car rattled and shook. Levon slashed his foot against the metal, barking at the girl to keep quiet.
(c) Tim Austin. Promo image by Jake Malera via Unsplash.
I’m looking for new one word title suggestions: pop your word in the comments below or tweet it to me @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory and you could be the inspiration for a 100 word story!
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Tomorrow’s story: Stretched.
#38 -Mortal
The priest stood, frozen and immobile, the chalice hanging limp in his fingers as it tipped against the lips of the kneeling penitent. His gaze trembled, eyes wet with fear.
The man was standing from the bench. He wasn’t moving. He wasn’t talking. He was just there. As he blinked a tear free he saw the child curled on the bed.
There was a sharp jolt as the penitent coughed, wine spat against the priest’s robe. The chalice clattered to the floor, the man still watching as the red soaked into white.
Not again. Never again.
“God forgive me.”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image courtesy of Luca Baggio via Unsplash.
Today’s word was suggested by Horror Author extraordinaire Carrie Green. Writer of the fantastic New Blood trilogy, you can discover more about her at http://www.carriegreenbooks.com and tweet her @CarrieGreenBook.
I’m always keen for new one word title suggestions – just pop the word in the comments below or tweet it to me @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory
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#37 – Mercy
“Mercy! Mercy!”
Katie was laughing through the pain, bent over the side of the bed, her arm twisted behind her by her brother.
“Who stole the cake?”
Her brother twisted his wrists again, the burning friction raking her skin. She laughed into the mattress.
“I stole the cake! I stole it! Get off!”
“See, that wasn’t so hard.” The boy released her and bounced onto the bed. Katie thumped him in the chest.
“Well I couldn’t let the Nanny eat it, could I? Not after what you did to it.”
Her brother shrugged.
“I was just encouraging her to leave.”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image courtesy of Annie Spratt via Unsplash.
Today’s word was suggested by mother, grandmother, writer, activist @ae_wylie. You too could have your word made into a story! Just pop the word in the comments below or tweet it to me @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory
This story is related to my earlier story “Tea”.
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A new short story every single day – come back tomorrow for “Mortal”.
#36 – Cat
The cat’s eyes shone in dull dis-interest as it gazed through the window that night. From street light to street light people strode by: fleeting moments glimpsed in amber.
A young couple walked past, their hands clasped tight, palm to palm. The cat had seen the girl before: her father didn’t approve of her dating. Her dress hadn’t been zipped back up properly.
And then there was Mrs. Pearson, still pushing her shopping trolley, the empty bottles rattling within. She’d made this journey twice every night since that day she wore black.
But the cat didn’t care.
The cat was hungry.
(C) Tim Austin 2016. Image courtesy of Miguel Angel Ruíz Sánchez via Unsplash.
Today’s one word story comes from Kathleen Kelly – a frequent coffee companion of mine and owner of possibly the fluffiest cat alive.
I’m looking for new one-word titles! I need more! Please pop your suggestions in the comments section below or tweet me @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory.
Please continue to share the stories and spread the word! I’ll see you tomorrow for “Mercy”.
#35 – Illuminated
The archaeologist swept a finger against the lines of the map. The ink had faded into the parchment, now nothing but the ghost of a message, crumbling at his touch. The airless vacuum was gone; the seal of the ancient room now crushed at his feet. The Californian air was racing to meet him. Time was running out.
It was an island. The Caribbean, yes. His hands shook as his feverish gaze scanned for the mark. All those years they’d laughed at him. All those birthdays missed, far from home.
The wind blew and the parchment melted.
All those years,…..
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image courtesy of James McGill via Unsplash.
Today’s one word title was suggested by Collette Knowles, Artistic Director of Rough Magic Theatre. She is also, frequently, my boss. And by boss, I mean Wife. You can reach her on Twitter @collettepuppets.
I’m still in need of words to write stories on – tweet me your own suggestion @timaustin2k and I’ll write you your very own 100 word short story, right here. Pop it with the hashtag #onewordonestory.
I’ll see you back here tomorrow for “Cat”. If you’ve like the story, share it using one of the buttons below 🙂
#34 – Beehive
The House Mouse paused. The long grass around him was sighing and rustling as he gazed up through the forest of green leaves. So close.
The hum of the swarm shook the air: a cloud of insects flitting to and fro, journeying to distant flowers. They wouldn’t see him, surely? Not a tiny mouse like him,…
The honey dripped down the white paint: a golden stream overflowing to the soil below.
“Where do you think you’re going?” The Bee was bent double with age, its forelegs crossed over its sting.
The mouse pouted and turned away from the guard.
“Nowhere.”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image courtesy of Karsten Wurth Via Unsplash.
A big thank you to Aaron Robshaw for today’s word. Aaron is an expert on armor and leather work. He combines bespoke crafting of armour for re-enactments and collectors with leather work for motorbikes. You can discover the latter by clicking here.
Keep reading, sharing, liking and suggesting words. Follow me on Twitter @timaustin2k and Like the Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/owosexperiment
See you tomorrow for “Illuminated”!
One Word, One Story 