Short Stories
#109 – IkeaWardrobe
Jason stared at the screw. He was certain it didn’t belong.
There weren’t any other screws like it – not down by his feet, not tacked down the middle,… just this one, lone screw jutting out of the wood. It wasn’t even straight. Which joker put this thing together?
He wanted to twist the thing out. Thumb the hole flat. Perhaps add in a bit of filler.
“I deserve that, right?”
Another clod of earth cracked against the wood. He could smell the cigarette smoke from the men, 6 feet above.
“Right?”
“Shut up, snitch.”
Another clod slammed down.
(c) Tim Austin 2025. Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash
Today’s word was suggested by Tom Jamieson. Want to suggest a word? Pop it in the comments below!
#108 – Government
The leather benches stank of ancient sweat and stale skin, their cracked green seats bloating beneath the filthy water.
Rats swam through the sewer-foamed chamber, their whiskers twitching as a fresh carcass floated into the room. Ravens perched high in the rafters, cawing and chattering across the dark isle.
The birds would squabble and more would come. They would fill the room as evening fell, fretting and fighting for scraps.
But the rats knew that their jeers were pointless now.
Another body bumped into the room, its once-fine dress now bloodied and ruined.
The river provided for all.
(c) Tim Austin 2025. Photo by Raghav Srikanth on Unsplash
Suggest YOUR word in the comments below!
#107 – Shiver
Dew was already running down the glass as the waiter plucked it from his tray and settled it to the table. Emmie smiled up at him. So did her boyfriend.
Tom plucked five dollars from his wallet and handed it to the young man with a nod.
“Thanks man,” Tom chirped.
“What’s the mercury say?” Ellie asked.
“78,” the waiter replied.
Emmie touched the glass, a flicker trembling through her as Tom’s gaze met hers.
“Enjoy!”
The waiter hovered a moment more before moving on.
Tom was no longer smiling.
Emmie’s heart thundered.
Her cheek still stung beneath the makeup.
(c) Tim Austin 2024. Photo by Rohan Gupta on Unsplash
Suggest YOUR Word,… and I’ll write the first image it brings. Pop your word in the comments below!
#106 – Temple
.
Della thrust her palms into the stone around her waist, torch-light gleaming from the floor, two feet beneath her face. Her khaki trousers tore the ancient plaster away and she crashed down onto tiles that hadn’t felt tread or breath in a thousand years.
In a moment she was standing, the torch held forward, gazing out into the gloom: oblivious to the blood flowing across her cheek.
“Monotehp’s folly,” she breathed, watching as the light struck out into the gloom. “I did it.”
She smiled at the discovery. Hers alone.
Torchlight shone. Treasures gleamed.
Eyes watched her from the dark.
(c) Tim Austin 2024 Photo by julien OLLIVIER on Unsplash
Suggest You Own Word in the Comments Below! 🙂
#104 – Recompense
Palm flat. Hand turned up. He’s waiting for you.
Don’t reach out too fast. Don’t seem desperate: make him wait for it. Listen to the crowd and let the moment breathe. Let it happen.
Step away. Hear the hiss of air through ten thousand sets of teeth. Don’t smile at it – remember who you are.
There it is,… the boos have started, spreading through the arena like a virus. Glorious.
Now is the time. Step back through the ropes.
An hour of agony and blood. A smile between secret friends.
“Hellava match, man. Hellava match,….”
“Same time tomorrow?”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Martin Kníže via Unsplash.
So this is my take on the word “Recompense”, what’s yours? Write your own and pop me a link! And if you’d like to suggest a word for me to use as a title, please do!
Today’s word was suggested by Marple25Mary – a short story writer and connoisseur who can be found at https://marple25mary.wordpress.com/. Say hello.
#102 – Dusk
Four propellers cut through the air – interminable and unending as the aircraft chased the setting sun.
Birds flew close to the white beast as it whistled above the cliff. It had done so countless times. Lights blinked and cameras focused, mapping and fixing its target: the endless dusk, high above the world.
No human eyes watched. No hands guided the craft. Silently the lone sentinel flew on, solar panels reflecting the endless sun.
Below, a city drifted by – skeletal: blackened long ago. Carrion for the winds.
The drone requested information.
No reply came.
No reply ever came.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Josh Rose via Unsplash.
Thanks to author Carin Marais for today’s word! You can read her work at https://maraiscarin.wordpress.com/ – pop by and say hello 🙂
Have a look around at a few other stories and share them far and wide. If you’ve a one word title, tweet it to me @timaustin2k or write it the comments of this post. Who’s next?
Learn more about Tim and his work at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tim-Austin/e/B00JI0LM7I/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1
#101 – Endangered
The baked earth shivered in the heat of the midday sun: Ethan’s brow gleamed with sweat. He shifted uneasily, trying to find some comfort as he knelt in the African dirt.
The Elephant swept its trunk through the branches of trees, innocent of the men watching her. Ethan scowled and balled his fists.
The butt of a rifle cracked against his cheek and he hissed as blood baked instantly on the earth.
His gun was too far off: driven barrel down into the ground.
“It’s too bad, My Friend,” the ranger sneered.
“It’s just not your day, is it?”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Aimee Vogelsang via Unsplash.
“Endangered” was suggested by Sarah Doherty, writer of Heartstring Eulogies. Please take a moment to read her wonderful work and tell her that I sent you 🙂
This story is reminiscent of story number 61, Prime. I try to keep my genre’s and stories varied – take a look at the Genres tab to the right and explore your favourites!
Suggest your own words by popping them in the comments or tweeting them to me @timaustin2k.
Hit that “Follow” button and I’ll see you back here tomorrow for “Dusk”!
#100 – Saint
The old man watched each face as his motorcade weaved through the cheering crowd. Some hadn’t eaten for days, their hollow eyes begging his blessing.
Through the car’s speakers, a voice was listing the itinerary of the day.
“At 8 you have the talk in the main square. We’ve already prepared it – the usual concern for the poor, a wish to heal old wounds and reach across divides.”
The old man smiled to the crowd.
“Later, we need to discuss the portfolio. $30bn is still tied up in Switzerland.”
“Leave it there,” the old man growled. “All of it.”
(c) Tim Austin, 2016. Image by Nacho Arteaga via Unsplash.
“Saint” was suggested by bestselling author Sue London, whose various (superb!) works can be found on Amazon, here, alongside other outlets. If following people on Twitter is your bag, you can find Sue @cmdrsue.
Hit that “Follow” button, below and to the right, and don’t forget to visit the OWOS Facebook Page for more content!
See you tomorrow for “Endangered”!
#99 – Election
Isaac looked down at his sleeping daughter, his fingers stroking gently at the edge of her crib. A shard of moonlight bathed the child and, in the quiet serenity of the nursery, Isaac couldn’t imagine any sight more beautiful.
“I,…” He swallowed the words down. He knew she couldn’t hear him but the pain was too raw. “One day you’ll understand”
“You must wake her.”
“No.”
His wife was rushing, their suitcases clutched tight in her hands.
“Isaac! We don’t have time!”
Angry shouts and breaking glass split the air. Isaac’s daughter smiled, dreaming.
“Give me this one moment,… please.”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Jilbert Ebrahimi via Unsplash.
Never forget.
Though it seems we already have.
Thanks to Chris Phillips for today’s word. Chris is a fellow Flash Fiction aficionado and editor of Flash Fiction Online. You can follow him on twitter @chriscoflips.
Tomorrow brings my 100th story! What will it be? Visit tomorrow morning to find out!
#97 -Display
“All the chicks are, like, “Whoa! Is that really,….?!””
“And I bet you’re all “Yeah, baby – It’s me!””
Their chirping laughs rang loud around the curved walls.
“I’m telling you; if you have the right bling they’ll let you do anything.”
Legs bent and muscles stretched. The cool morning air shook with squawking jeers.
“Just gotta show them what you got. And remember the breath mints.”
….
A young girl pressed her face to the bars. “Hey Mommy, look at the pwetty birdies!”
“They’re Peacocks, dear,” her Mother replied, watching on.
She whispered beneath her breath.
“Emphasis on Cock. Small C.”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Anthony Delanoix via Unsplash.
Well, would you look at that: it’s election day in the US of A! I’m a Brit so I couldn’t possibly comment. It’s important to get out and vote, though: you can never complain about the result if you didn’t take your stand and be counted.
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One Word, One Story 