What is Flash Fiction?
#87 – Fragile
Ben needed the woman beside him to shut up.
“Jimmy is such a good kid! He was first in his class at math for the whole of last year.”
A picture of a teenage boy dropped onto his lap.
“I don’t think,…”
His words dried in his mouth. The boy in the picture looked so happy. The Boy looked so peaceful.
“Ben Sharpe?”
The secretary was calling for him.
“Doctor Simpson will see you now.”
Ben looked at Jimmy’s Mother. She hadn’t stopped crying for 20 minutes. Ben passed the tattered photograph back to her and retrieved his antidepressants.
“Good luck”.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Jake Campbell via Unsplash.
I’m on the search for new words! If you’re reading this and you want to suggest one, please do! Just pop it in the comments or Tweet it to @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory.
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See you tomorrow for “Torn”
#86 – Burning
The flames lapped at the wood and circled in the thinning air. A large crowd was watching as the fire danced and swelled, entranced by the hypnotic sweep of the blaze.
Music was playing loud and children were dancing. Cold boxes filled with beer gleamed in the firelight. The field was full of people talking and laughing together as the last rays of the day sank below the horizon.
The sheriff stepped forward, his hand lifting a microphone to continue his speech.
“Black Lives Matter, they say,…..” The crowd was laughing.
The children played and watched the white crosses burn.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Thomas Shellberg via Unsplash.
The first image that came to mind with this word was the KKK. It is a stain on humanity that this group still exists and that any group like this still exists. But it does and it’s worth remembering that, in these dark times. Humanity still has a long way to go,….
I’m still on the search for new words! If you’re reading this and you want to suggest one, please do! Just pop it in the comments or Tweet it to @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory.
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See you tomorrow for “Fragile”.
#84 – Disfigurement
“Oi! Freddy Krueger!”
The teenage boy sneered as the rock left his hand and span against the armrest of the man’s wheelchair.
“I said oi!”
The man didn’t move.
The gang could see his reflection in the store window. His face was white and smooth: burned flesh twisted, his eyes milky. The boy threw another stone, laughing as it whistled past the man’s ear.
The store owner ran out and the gang scattered, their sneering cries echoing down the street.
“Hey man, why didn’t you say something?”
“Because” the burned man replied, “he wasn’t like that before the fire,…”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Dawn Armfield via Unsplash.
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See you tomorrow for “Loyal”.
#83 – Suave
The gentleman brushed his finger over the rim of his glass, a low growl shucked carelessly from his throat.
“Thank you.”
His voice was smooth beneath the gravel of age. His smile was bright.
The stewardess smiled back, bowing her head a little as she poured another splash of red wine into his glass. With another quick glance, she stood straight and walked back up the isle.
“Old man in 26 D seems nice,” she chirped, stepping through the crew curtain.
“Oh, he’s a regular,” her friend replied. “Check your pocket.”
The old man’s smile widened when he heard her scream.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Ross Parmly via Unsplash.
Keep your title suggestions coming (drop yours in the comments) and please do share stories you enjoy. You’ll find a list of genres to the left! Enjoy 🙂
Come back tomorrow for another 100 word short story. Remember: it’s one a day for 365 days! Keep following the blog for more.
#81 – Insights
Allen swallowed a mouthful of coffee and rubbed his temple. It was going to be a long, night.
He ran a finger down the list of phone numbers, looking for something – anything – to give him an edge in court.
Danny Banner loved his kids. He wouldn’t hurt a fly.
Allen repeated the thought. He believed every word. The phone was ringing.
“Hi Danny. Ready for the morning?”
“Nervous.”
“Don’t be. It’ll be fi,…….” Allen stopped.
The number beneath his finger made his blood run cold.
“You said you never called her.”
“What?”
“Danny!!”
The silence betrayed them both.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Dariusz Sankowski via Unsplash.
Today’s title was suggested by actor and Manchester-based Equity stalwart Barry Evans. You can find him on twitter @THEbazzaevans. Thanks, Barry.
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#80 – Hyperbole
“Did you SEE that catch?!”
Mr. Kirby was jumping in the grandstands, his fists punching into the air. The crowd around him were on their feet: the roar was deafening. Mrs. Kirby covered her ears.
“That’s my boy! Left the other guy for dust! Always a safe pair of hands. Always said so, haven’t I?!”
Mrs. Kirby was peering onto the pitch, far below. Her husband didn’t seem to notice.
“Man, nobody ever catches like that! Did you see the way he launched himself forward,…?”
“Bryce,….”
Mr. Kirby was still whooping in glee.
“Bryce!”
“Yes dear?”
“That’s not our son.”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Abigail Keenan via Unsplash.
Today’s word comes from yet another Doctor Who star – this time the wonderful Barnaby Edwards. Barnaby is a director and actor for Big Finish and also a frequent Dalek operator in the TV series! You can find him over on Twitter @BarnabyEdwards. Thanks for the word, Barnaby 🙂
If you have a word that you’d like me to write a story on, just pop it into the comments section below!
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See you tomorrow for “Insights”.
#79 – Obsidian
It was staring at him. He knew it.
The hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end. Lewis continued his polishing of the glass case, trying not to look at the reflection over his shoulder.
“Shut up! They’ve all gone home. There’s no-one here to look at you.”
Still the jewel stared at him.
Lewis closed his eyes but it didn’t help. The Jewel reached into his memory: its perfect, cut blackness shining under the cold museum lights.
“Okay!” Lewis swang around, his hand reaching for the Onyx stone and brushing it lovingly with the cloth.
“…. okay,….”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Julian Böck via Unsplash.
Today’s story title was suggested by Sarah Doughty, writer and poet of beautiful words over at Hamstring Eulogies. Thank you for the word, Sarah. I hope you enjoy the story 🙂
I’m eager to write more stories based on new words – suggest your one word titles by popping them in the comments section or tweeting them to me @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory.
Don’t make this the only story you read. Click any of the stories to the left of visit the “Pre Loved Words” page above. You never know what you might find to enjoy.
See you tomorrow for “Hyperbole”.
#77 – Remember
“Hmmm?”
Ada looked across at the young woman beside her bed, surprised that someone had spoken. Her gaze focused slowly and she smiled.
“My favourite flowers are Chrysanthemums. Do you like Chrysanthemums, dear?”
“Yes, I love them.”
Ada couldn’t understand why the woman was crying. It was such a lovely day and her daughter would be visiting soon. She raised her finger to wipe the tear free from the pretty face and patted her cheek.
“Yes, Chrysanthemums. My Daughter always brings me a bunch.”
“She,…. sounds nice,…..” The woman was trembling as she kissed Ada’s hand.
“Happy birthday, Mom,…”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Callum Skelton via Unsplash.
Okay, I’m sorry. Some days the image that forms isn’t pleasant. I find degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s terrifying and so very deeply sad. I have occasion to visit a nursing home frequently and I see similar scenes every visit. The families who deal with it daily are so strong and I admire them immensely.
If you have a word that means something to you and you’d like to see what I make of it, pop it in the comments and I’ll write you a 100 word short story.
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#76 -Isolation
The light bulb buzzed and spat. Water was dripping down the chord and swirling in a fine spray from the tiny barred window.
Keith sat huddled on a freezing metal bed, eyes locked into the gloom. His throat hummed as he breathed, rocking gently on his lice-ridden mattress.
He wasn’t alone. Keith walked hand in hand with Andrew over the burning pale sands of the beach. Their feet brushed through the dunes and grasses, their laughter rolled into the sky. Hearts raced as lips blessed each other.
Keith was smiling in the darkness.
In his dreams he was never alone.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Ludovic Gauthier via Unsplash.
Another title suggested by Aliki Chapple – mother, activist, actor and proud Grecian. You can follow her and her work over on Twitter @amaenad
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.
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See you tomorrow for “Abundance”.
#75 – Plunge
Goosebumps were itching on Eddie’s skin as he looked down into the pool 33 feet below. His head snapped back and he squeezed his eyes tight, a sharp breath hissing between his lips as his toes curled over the edge of the board.
“Okay, that was dumb. Dumb, dumb, dumb!” Eddie whispered. The crowd below had fallen silent.
The world froze for a heartbeat,…
“Hey, Charlie Brown! Time to go splat!”
Anger forced Eddie’s eyes open. People were laughing. People were always laughing. All the time.
Everyone except Mrs. Gomez.
The trembling boy raised his arms.
She would be watching.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image by Markus Spiske via Unsplash.
Suggest your own word by tweeting it to me @timaustin2k and I’ll write a story dedicated to you. Don’t forget to hit the follow button and like the OWOS Facebook pagelike the OWOS Facebook page.
Take a gander at the other romance and coming of age short stories by clicking on the links to the left!
See you tomorrow for another 100 word short story!
One Word, One Story 