Short Story
#50 – Join
The lizard scratched and twitched, trapped in the cardboard box as the boys watched on.
“Look at it’s tongue! Eww!”
“Does it bite?”
“I heard that they break their tails off if they’re attacked.”
“That’s frogs.”
Matthew wasn’t listening. His eyes were fixed on the lizard, its gaze flicking from person to person, its tiny chest puffing with short, sharp breaths.
The treehouse fell silent. The boys were staring at him. The rock was in his hand.
“What are you waiting for, Matthew? You want to be in the club, don’t you?”
Matthew was crying.
“…… of course I do,……”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image by Erwen Hesry via Unsplash.
Story 50! Wow! Just another 315 to go,……
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.
#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.
#45 – Apology
“I see, Mr. Jones, that is,…”
“And what are you going to do about it!? Nothing, that’s what!! All you ever do is pass the buck!”
Alice’s eyes narrowed, her computer screen swimming in and out of focus. The rattling air conditioning ground her threadbare nerves. The man on the phone just wouldn’t stop.
“Mr. Jones, do you know what Cymothoa Exigua is?”
“,… What?”
“Cymothoa Exigua, Mr. Jones. A parasite that eats away at the tongue of it’s victim and attaches to the dead stump.”
“,… Why,….?”
“I’m wondering if you poor wife would like me to buy you one as a pet.”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Photo by Hack Capital on Unsplash
An odd one today. The ending went a few places – one of them tremendously dark. I decided against it. If in doubt, aim for comedy.
Today’s word was suggested by Steve Thomas of One Fine Day Artworks – purveyors of absolutely beautiful framed art. Take a look at their range at www.onefineday.co.uk
If you’d like to suggest a one word title, please do: pop your suggestion in the comments section below or tweet it to me @timaustin2k.
Don’t forget to follow the OWOS project here and on Facebook so you can get a fresh 100 word short story every day!
Tomorrow’s story? Conundrum!
#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!
#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!
Please hit the share buttons below and like the OWOS Facebook page by clicking here so you never miss a story.
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
Please hit the share buttons below and like the OWOS Facebook page by clicking here so you never miss a story.
#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”.
Please hit the share buttons below and like the OWOS Facebook page by clicking here so you never miss a story.
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 🙂
One Word, One Story 