Short Story
#71 – Officer
“It has been quite extraordinary weather, wouldn’t you say Sir?”
The tailor zipped the measuring tape around the Captain’s chest, his chattering filling the silence as the soldier looked out into the street. His wife and kids were waving at him from the pavement, pressing their faces against the glass while the tailor’s back was turned. The Captain stifled a laugh.
The tailor flinched. “Sir, Please,..”
The shop was gone.
Only the desert remained. Only the bullets. Only the blood. Only Private Allen’s twisted body as he begged for help.
The Captain collapsed into tears at the words.
“…. Sir,……… please,…..”.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image by Jacob Valerio via Unsplash.
PTSD is a harrowing burden that I would not wish on anyone. I hope in this story that people reflect a little on it with compassion and care.
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.
I’ll see you again tomorrow for “Suspicion”.
#69 -Manifesto
The Commodore stood on the balcony, his arms spread wide to the crowd below.
“This, my friends, is the start of a new country! A new hope! A new dawn for you – free from the corruption of the old ways!”
Jubilant cheers echoed from building to building. Horns blared from every street as the Commodore cupped his hands together and shook them in triumph.
Behind him a man in a black suit was inspecting a model of an oil field, lifting a letter from beside it and lighting the corner with a match.
“Thank you, Commodore. That will do nicely.”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Linhao Zhang Courtesy of Unsplash
This story is dedicated to the memory and family of Jo Cox, MP for Batley and Spen in the UK, who was shot and killed earlier today. Jo was a fearless fighter for justice, peace and the good of her constituents. She was a wonderful example to us all. My thoughts are with her family.
#68 – Principle
A stubby finger pushed a pawn across the board, cigar ash falling around the piece in a halo of smoking debris. Churchill growled and smiled.
“There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare,” the Britain stated, leaning back into his leather armchair.
A rook slid across the board to threaten the pawn. Churchill frowned.
A finger tapped against the board, sweeping away the cigar ash with disdain.
“That is why this war will be short,” came a replay from across the table.
“No, Adolf.”
Churchill slipped a knight to checkmate his opponent’s king.
“But it will be won.”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Photo by Nguyen Pham on Unsplash
I’ve no idea why but the first image I had for this word was Churchill sat drinking with Hitler pleasantly. It adapted in the writing but,… what an extraordinary idea,…. I mean, what would they talk about?! There’s a hell of a book in that,….
Hit that follow button and like the OWOS Facebook page for more! Suggest your own one-word titles by popping your word in the comments below.
See you tomorrow for “Manifesto”.
#67 – Attic
“Hey, there’s still stuff up here!”
Peter’s head was poking through the loft hatch, his hand tugging at the light chord.
“What was that, honey?”
“There’s stuff! Boxes.”
Liza watched as her husband lifted himself into the attic.
She sipped her coffee. “Any antiques?”
Peter laughed.
“For your Pop to sell for beer money?”
“I was thinking of renovations.”
Something fell down and clattered at Liza’s feet – a child’s doll, its face smudged with soot. Dead glass eyes stared up and she choked at the sudden smell of smoke.
“Honey,…” Liza’s voice was a hoarse whisper.
“We need to go.”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Photo by Artem Maltsev on Unsplash.
Today’s word was suggested by Bristolian and avid supporter of the OWOS project “Orignal Tracey”. You can follow her on Twitter @sunsetbeachbabe.
Tracey suggested her word by sending me a tweet – you can too! Tweet me @timaustin2k with the hashtag #onewordonestory and I’ll write a 100 word story just for you!
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See you tomorrow for “Principle”.
#65 – Threatened
Spit was raining over the bald man’s chin, his mouth a snarling mask of fury as he waved his banner high.
Katie watched as the man passed, the police cordon holding she and her brother from creeping closer. Her wide eyes marvelled at the sight, flinching as the mob screamed their hate.
The bald man caught sight of her brother’s uniform and stopped.
“Iraq?”
Katie’s brother nodded.
Though no more than a twisted joke, Katie watched as the two men raised their fists.
When the condolence letter arrived two weeks later, Katie rose her fist too.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo Image by Benjamin Faust via Unsplash.
Continuing the story of Katie, first seen in the tale “Tea” – dedicated to the wonderful Devika Fernando. Click here for each part of the story so far.
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Suggest your own One Word Story by popping it in the comments or tweeting it to me @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory.
#64 – Poet
Joel closed his eyes and took a breath, his hands rising and reaching out into the sun-dappled air. His chin rose as he felt the words spring from his chest and force themselves from his lips.
Worlds swirled in his imagination. Wild realities and lost loves poured from his soul, forming into crude reality with each flick of his tongue. His heart ached at each new phrase, tears fell as he knitted verse to verse.
A roll of distant thunder greeted the finale. It was perfect.
The Eight year old boy watching him coughed.
“Mister,…. why didn’t it Rhyme?”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image by Curtis Mac Newton via Unsplash.
Suggest your own one word story title – it’s easy! Pop your word in the comments or tweet it to @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory and I’ll write a story just for you!
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#59 – Cheek
All around the room flames roared and span through the air: blue and red funnels shooting from the base of each hob, the blazing inferno bringing sweat to the skin of the paramedics kneeling at the floor.
The apprentice looked down at the prone form of Chef Tyler, his harsh, furious gaze now dull and powerless. Spittle still leaked from the corner of his mouth.
“What did you say to him?” one of the Sous Chefs nudged the apprentice, his mouth agape.
“Nothing,…”
The apprentice shrugged. Chef Tyler twitched.
“Just that his soup could do with a little salt,…”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image by Michael Browning via Unsplash.
Suggest your one word story title and I’ll write one just for you! Pop your word in the comments or tweet it to @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory.
#58 – God
The frog looked through the glass, its spongy foot pressing up to the invisible barrier as a pair of eyes gazed in at it. Settled in its jar, it marvelled at the bright lights and crashing sounds around it.
The small animal will remember that day always: the day that the hand reached down from above. The feeling of flying through the air. The new smells and sights. It was all so wonderful.
Again the eyes gazed in, the lid of the jar unscrewing, a scalpel held high.
Perhaps now the frog would know the mind of the creator.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image by Henry Fornier 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.
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#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.
One Word, One Story 