flash fiction writers
#57 – Recovery
Amber lights flicked, cutting through the darkness and splashing against the grass of the verge. The tow-truck driver sucked his lip, his hands balled at his waist.
The car was there. It was running. There seemed to be nothing wrong with it except the absence of a driver.
“Hello!?”
The driver called into the treeline, his voice struggling over the thundering roar of traffic.
“You called for a tow?”
There was a rustle in the grass. The driver looked down.
Laying at his feet was a smartphone. A video was playing on the screen.
“Oh god,…. they’ve come for me again,…..”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image by Sergey Zolkin via Unsplash.
Today’s One Word title was suggested and donated by composer and violinist Adisha Kariyawasam – his second suggestion for the OWOS project (yes, you can suggest more than one word!)
You can read “Violin”, the first story that he suggested, by clicking here.
YOU can suggest your own word: just pop it into the comments or tweet it to me @timaustin2k.
If you’re enjoying the stories, make sure you’re sharing the joy 🙂 I’ll see you tomorrow for “God”.
#54 – Conceived
The blueprint dimpled as Joseph poked his finger against the paper. That was the point of entry. That was the place the explosives needed to be set.
The four men looked at each other and nodded in silence before quietly unlatching the van door and filing out into the harsh, cold night.
Beside them, the jewellery repository rose through the street light, its towering brick walls disappearing into the gloom above. Three of the men were already creeping across to the alleyway behind. The fourth kept lookout.
He saw a cop watching from the shadows.
He smiled. He turned away. He waited.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image by Matthew Skinner via Unsplash.
If you’d like me to write you a story based on a word of your choice, pop your word in the comments section below or tweet it to me @timaustin2k using the hastag #onewordonestory.
If you’re enjoying the stories, please let me know, share them with your friends and follow the blog here and at the OWOS Facebook Page.
#53 – Faith
Jeanie held her arms out to each side. The balls of her feet balanced against the edge of the stage: her heels hung in the air.
“That’s it, Jeanie: now fall back and the other girls will catch you,” the teacher cooed.
“Well of course they will,” Jeanie thought.
She knew them. Jeanie knew they’d do exactly as they were told. Jeanie had dunked the geeky one’s head in the toilet just last week. The spotty one still had a bust lip.
She closed her eyes and fell backwards.
There was a giggle.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo Image by Charlie Foster via Unsplash.
If you’d like me to write you a story based on a word of your choice, pop your word in the comments section below or tweet it to me @timaustin2k using the hastag #onewordonestory.
If you’re enjoying the stories, please let me know, share them with your friends and follow the blog here and at the OWOS Facebook Page.
#52 – Tyrant
The coffee made the General smile: a small taste of home, so far away. He gazed at the hologram of his wife and kids, watching them smile and laugh as they petted the dog. Their hair danced silently in the breeze as the recording repeated again and again. The General sighed.
His concentration was broken by a cough. A Sergeant stood by the desk, a pad in his hand.
“Yes?”
“Today’s execution orders, Sir.”
He looked at the insect-like faces of the prisoners and sneered. His thumbprint sealed the fate of each. Women, children; traitors.
His hologram family kept smiling.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo Image by Nasa via Unsplash.
If you’d like me to write you a story based on a word of your choice, pop your word in the comments section below or tweet it to me @timaustin2k using the hastag #onewordonestory.
If you’re enjoying the stories, please let me know, share them with your friends and follow the blog here and at the OWOS Facebook Page.
#49 – Indifferent
It was a shrug that ground the teeth of every person in the boardroom.
6 Months of work had gone into this one, single project. 6 Months of design, testing, focus groups, contracts and branding so that there was something to impress the new Chairman.
The shrug came again. The Chairman’s gaze was still fixed on his phone: his trainers scuffed the top of the boardroom table.
“It’s okay, I suppose.”
Ten jaws dropped. The teenager looked confused as he glanced up from the game.
“Isn’t it?”
Silence.
The face of the boy’s late Father grinned from the painting above him.
One last joke.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo Image by Samuel Zeller via Unsplash.
Nearly 50 short stories into my 365 day storytelling marathon! I can’t do this without your word suggestions so keep them coming in! If you’d like me to write you a story based on a word of your choice, pop your word in the comments section below or tweet it to me @timaustin2k using the hastag #onewordonestory.
If you’re enjoying the stories, please let me know, share them with your friends and follow the blog here and at the OWOS Facebook Page.
Next story: “Join”
#48 – Jobseeker
A pencil skimmed against paper, cutting a jagged grove as the point marked a square around the advertisement.
“Pool Cleaner”
Days spent slowly skimming debris from the two-dozen pools of the water park? All those toned girls in their sodden bikinis, swarming around the water in the sun? As jobs went, it was a good one. There was only one problem.
“It’s off season in February.”
He went to cross a line through the ad but a crash from the living room stopped his cigarette-burnt hand. Trembling, he reached for the phone.
“Dad needs the money.”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Photo by Jon Sailer on Unsplash
If you too would like to donate a word, pop it in the comments section below or Tweet it to me@timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory.
If you’re enjoying these stories, share them onto your feeds and let your friends know! Follow the blog and Like the OWOS Facebook Page.
#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.
If you’re enjoying the blog, please let others know about it. Like the OWOS Facebook page so you never miss a story!
#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.
If you’re enjoying the blog, please let others know about it. Like the OWOS Facebook page so you never miss a story!
#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.
If you’re enjoying the blog, please let others know about it. Like the OWOS Facebook pageso you never miss a story!
#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.
If you’re enjoying the blog, please let others know about it. Like the OWOS Facebook page so you never miss a story!
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