What is Flash Fiction?
#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”.
#34 – Beehive
The House Mouse paused. The long grass around him was sighing and rustling as he gazed up through the forest of green leaves. So close.
The hum of the swarm shook the air: a cloud of insects flitting to and fro, journeying to distant flowers. They wouldn’t see him, surely? Not a tiny mouse like him,…
The honey dripped down the white paint: a golden stream overflowing to the soil below.
“Where do you think you’re going?” The Bee was bent double with age, its forelegs crossed over its sting.
The mouse pouted and turned away from the guard.
“Nowhere.”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image courtesy of Karsten Wurth Via Unsplash.
A big thank you to Aaron Robshaw for today’s word. Aaron is an expert on armor and leather work. He combines bespoke crafting of armour for re-enactments and collectors with leather work for motorbikes. You can discover the latter by clicking here.
Keep reading, sharing, liking and suggesting words. Follow me on Twitter @timaustin2k and Like the Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/owosexperiment
See you tomorrow for “Illuminated”!
#33 – Petrichor
The sky was purple,… no,… not sky,…
Emma sat up a moment, the sleeping bag bunching down around her waist. She let the ghosts of her dreams dissolve, clearing her mind and letting it drift towards memories of the night before.
She smiled.
She fell back, breathing in the scent of pine needles and dew. A wind was tapping against the edge of the tent and she drew her breath in time with the swelling fabric.
“Yes.”
Emma laughed, arching her back and screaming into the sky as she lifted her hand, the engagement ring shining.
“Yes! Yes! YES!!!!”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image courtesy of Jet van der Wouden via Unsplash.
Today’s Story was inspired by Author, Oregonian and Coffee Addict Erin Ritch. You can read her marvellous blog at nowyverns.com and tweet her @Eritch324. Thanks Erin!
If you’re enjoying these stories, please share them and tell your friends to visit. Like the OWOS Facebook page and follow me @timaustin2k.
Keep reading, pop comments in the section below – let me know what you think!
See you tomorrow for “Beehive”!
#32 – Hands
“This,…” Becky’s Mother stroked a finger over the young girl’s palm. “Is your life line.” She smiled, her blue eyes fixing on her Daughter’s. Becky giggled, pulling her hand away.
“Tickles, Mummy!”
Mother and Daughter laughed together, their summer hats flapping gently in the breeze. Below them, the surf crashed against the legs of the pier. Gulls soared above, calling a lament as they swept out to sea.
“Becky!”
The girl’s Father was calling her. She looked towards him.
“Who are you talking to?”
She turned to look at her knelt Mother. Her smile faded.
“She always loved it here.”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image courtesy of Wil Stewart via Unsplash.
Today’s one word title was suggested by the lovely Becky Danks – avid bookworm and reviewer. You can find her on Twitter at @BeckyD123.
Keep your one word titles coming in – I can’t do it without you! Pop your suggestion in the comments section below or tweet it to me @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory. Go on, what’s stopping you?
Remember to like the OWOS Facebook page and join me here tomorrow for “Petrichor”.
#30 – Window
Stephen pressed ten fingers to the glass, his breath frosting a small circle as his face sank ever closer. Someone was talking to him. A nurse, he thought. He didn’t care.
For so much of his life he’d drifted: aimless in his passage from one job to the next. One failed relationship followed another – a ship without power or purpose, blown on the wind. Finally life mattered. Beyond the glass she lay: swaddled in an incubator, tiny and useless.
“She will need constant care for the rest of her life.”
He didn’t know why the nurse looked so sad. To Stephen, his daughter was perfect.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image courtesy of Alexander Lam via Unsplash.
Today’s one word title was donated by Sue McCormick: Actress, Playwright and Activist. She’s also pretty darn awesome in pretty much every way. She wrote this, among her other works http://www.whatsonstage.com/lancaster-theatre/reviews/10-2013/no-fat-juliets-lancaster_32214.html.
If you’re enjoying these stories, check out Chapter One of “The Santa Beneath the Ice” FREE by clicking the banner to the side.
And keep your one word titles coming in! Pop your suggestion in the comments section below or tweet it to me @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory.
See you tomorrow for “SmegForBrains”,… I’m told, by the person suggesting it, that it’s a real word. Considering his name is Danny John-Jules, I’m inclined to believe him!
#29 – Violin
Mr. Funaki pinched his fingers so softly together, his wrist turning, the violin singing a long, fragile note that rang through the auditorium. His heart soared with every trill. His breath sighed and twisted at every gleaming, crystal-sharp echo that swept through his chest and swam high against the rafters. The instrument was perfect: its dance so delicate that the tiniest fracture would form in his mind and shine like the sun.
Tears stung his eyes as they flicked open, gazing at the silent instrument in its case. He lay his swollen, arthritic hands to his lap,… the memory fading away.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image courtesy of Providence Doucet via Unsplash
Today’s title was suggested by composer and violinist Adisha Kariyawasam. You can listen to some of his work on Soundcloud here. You can find him on Twitter at @adisha_kari.
Please explore the blog and read a few more stories. If you like them, share them. And if you want to suggest a one word story, tweet me @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory now.
Before you do, pop a Like on the OWOS Facebook Page and I’ll see you tomorrow for “Window”!
#27 – Crepuscular
The little Goth Girl creeped Steve out. She’d been quiet all through the movie and she was quieter now. But Daisy liked her and tormenting her was fun.
“I Vaaaant to suck your bloooood!” Steve laughed. He didn’t know why Daisy wanted to see such a terrible movie but it meant getting to third base so,…
He punched the Goth Girl’s shoulder hard, throwing her sideways.
“Is that what they think Vamps are like?”
“They do.” The Goth Girl turned on Steve. “But we’re not.”
Both girls were laughing now. Both girls were smiling. Both girls’ eyes were blood red.
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image courtesy of Aurélien Bellanger via Unsplash.
Today’s title was suggested by Farnham Fun Palace – an event that takes place in October this year. Find out more by tweeting them @FarnhamFunPal.
The great thing about writing a whole new short story every day for a year is learning all these new words! I’d never hear Crepuscular before. And now I bet you’re going to Google it,…. yep, I thought so.
Please keep sharing and liking the stories on Twitter, Facebook and beyond! Help me get the word out and lets make this a community for all those who enjoy Flash Fiction. Suggest a word by tweeting me @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory.
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