Blog Posts - Friday Flash Fiction

The Ex-Employee, by Mark Tulin

5/7/2019

“I gave the best years of my life to that company," said Simon to his former co-worker. "I slaved for them for fifteen years. I gave my body, mind, and soul to that job, dealing with one crisis after another. And you'd think that they would give me a farewell party.”

“Simon, they fired you," said the co-worker. "They couldn’t stand your attitude. You came to work late every day with a chip on your shoulder. They couldn’t wait to get rid of you. I’m surprised you lasted that long.”

“Well, even so. I deserve at least a gold watch.”

The Double Agent, by Marjan Sierhuis

5/7/2019

She leans forward in her chair, her piercing gaze is ready to analyze any subtle nuance of emotion. Although the dossier regarding the agent’s clandestine activities appears thorough, she will attempt to extrapolate more information.

Igor knows he is under suspicion as soon as they escort him into the commander’s office. Respected for her brilliant mind and keen perception, he wonders how long his wife has known.

He has taken every precaution, but he knew it would just be a matter of time before she was on to him.

The double agent must have been talking in his sleep again.

What a Man! by Brian Taylor

5/7/2019

Ah, there he is again. What a man!

Now, I'm not gay, but when it comes to him, I question that.

He's just incredible. Perfect face, eyes, hair, body. His clothes are always just right. And when he smiles—instant sunshine.

What's most amazing is he's no movie star or model, he's just a regular guy.

Plus, he's single! How's that possible?

Well, if you think about it, he's kind of intimidating. How do you tell someone wanted by so many that you're different?

I understand that frustration. If only I could reach through this mirror...I'd show him real love.

The Fix Is In, Doug Bartlett

5/7/2019

“Jack, let’s go,” Mary yelled. He slowly stretched, releasing a big yawn. “It’s a big day for you!” Mary exclaimed as they jumped into the car. Mary rolled down the windows as she slid behind the steering wheel. Jack enjoyed the ride as the fresh morning air blew on his face. His enjoyment changed to fear and anxiety as they turned into a familiar parking lot. He was highly agitated. Mary was finally able to put the leash on Jack’s collar as they walked through the office door. The same door with the sign, ‘Dr. Uptain, Veterinarian, Specialist in Neutering.’

Another Life, by Julie Achilles

5/7/2019

I found the letter purely by chance and immediately wished I hadn't because knowing meant my life would change forever. I had learnt that the last twenty years had been a charade a lie. The man I loved and trusted had another family, another life, a life he led while he worked away. A life I was not part of.

You read about these things, they only happen to other people and you wonder how they could not have known. I did not know. I was happy.

Now I know and that changes everything.

(Dis)belief, by Nicky Johnson

5/7/2019

When Shelly turned one and started babbling to animals, Mother was delighted. Talking at the age of three, Mother found endearing. As a six-year-old, Shelly told Mother that the animals understood her words. Mother begrudgingly accepted it as a phase.

By the time Shelly was ten, Mother had enough. She called a doctor and set an appointment for therapy. She demanded Shelly get dressed and meet downstairs. Upstairs, Shelly opened her bedroom window. Minutes later, a knock at the door came. Mother hesitantly opened to find hundreds of hovering birds. Shelly came downstairs to find her session was canceled.

A History of Writing in 100 Words, by Gordon Lawrie

5/7/2019

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

On Monday we wrote of the lives of Saints and what Holy People could tell us.

On Tuesday great writers wrote of legendary heroes and tales of the triumph of good over evil.

On Wednesday great writers wrote stories of triumph and tragedy, both fact and fiction.

On Thursday politicians and the media perverted what is fact and fiction into manifest lies.

On Friday everything was condensed into 100 words.

On Saturday we needed a rest.

Next day, the entire cycle started again.

The Victim. by Linda Cornelissen

5/7/2019

“Rejected!?” Spat his young intern.

The accusatory bite in her response stunned the assistant editor. This was so out of character. Jane had the type of gift rare in media these days. Strength of purpose, attention to detail, and a solid, unwavering commitment to her craft.

“Why was it rejected? My evidence was rock solid.” She added, calmer.

Her boss replied, knowingly. “You’ve learned well, and you’ve brought this publication a much-needed refreshing point of view. One last important lesson. Of all the victims we meet, the hardest one to look squarely in the eye, is the truth.”

Friday Flash Fiction, by Mary Wallace

29/6/2019

I'm Sick.

Tired and sick. Three poems to write before Monday, 3000 words due next week. 800 to 1000 words, when is it due? What is the name of that competition? My poor head! It's my grandson's birthday, and I promised curtains. I have no time to be ill.

I take a deep breath, a hot cuppa and slowly a timetable appears. Curtains and poems, story plans and tissues, bed and my favorite pen. Tablets and blanket, a cuddle with the cats, all's right with the world. Still there's something missing. Oh God, it's Friday.

New Baseball Player, by Russell Conover

28/6/2019

“But you don’t understand!” Ronny pleaded. “I’d be an asset to the team. I HAVE to join!”

“And what professional baseball experience do you have?” the team G.M. asked, skeptical.

“Well ... none. But I’ve played recreationally for years and could offer so much.” Ronny begged, desperate for a chance.

The G.M. shook his head. “Sorry. Not good enough.”

Ronny seethed. His inch-long claws and his third and fourth eyes became visible. “Did I mention I’m from Planet Zeldon and could destroy your organization?”

The G.M.’s eyes widened. “Let’s not decide anything too quickly. I’m sure an arrangement could be made.”

Secrets and Lies, by R. S. Pyne

28/6/2019

'It's complicated,' she said, but that was just an excuse – a way to absolve herself of all blame – like she always did.

All her fault and nothing to do with me, but Emma always did have a talent for twisting the truth or at lease her version of it.

Her blue eyes wide, she swore that Adam was just a friend but I followed them that day and watched the act of betrayal as marriage vows turned to ashes. My heart shattered like glass, into a thousand pieces and each one called her a liar as I pulled the trigger.

One Hot Romance, by Rod Drake

28/6/2019

The first time my girlfriend Gwen burst into flames it surprised both of us. Like a living torch, she blazed hot and yellow-orange, but completely unharmed. So weird, but cool once we got used to it, and when she could control it. One hand flaming gave light to our late-night walks, or to quickly make s’mores or hot dogs at the beach. And add warmth to cool autumn nights. But then, when she once burned really bright and intense, firemen arrived and put her out with suppressing foam which suffocated her. A sad ending to our burning love.

Waiting for the Train, by Bruce Levine

28/6/2019

They were waiting for the train

Not a word had been spoken

And yet they knew there was significance to their waiting

Circumstances had placed them here as much as led them on

It was their future, their hopes, their dreams, their everything

The train would take them home

Stupid Things, by Brian Taylor

28/6/2019

Jenny was angry today. One year since lung cancer took her father, and it still hurts like hell.

Making her angrier was seeing people smoke in public. Selfish idiots! Men, women, even teenagers. All slowly destroying many lives.

Driving home, she saw an older man sitting on a bench, smoking. She's never lashed out before, but today's different.

She pulled over and yelled, "Sir, those stupid things are killing you!"

He ignored her.

At home, she cried. Her grief, people, everything; it was too much.

Trembling, she went into her desk for her own stupid things.

At least, she's ashamed.

The Morning After, by Chris Radcliffe

28/6/2019

I’m sorry, forced out of a throat still raw from last night’s cigarettes.

You rest your head against the cold radiator, knees to chin. You’re bundled up in the dressing gown you only wear when you're ill.

I'm sorry, you say again, but you flaunt the marks he left on your neck that replace mine underneath. You tell me how you left him with your number, scrawled in lipstick on his forearm like you seen in that film the other night.

I think of the marks you left on him and imagine them as bruises.

Woman of his Dreams, by Krystyna Fedosejevs

28/6/2019

He kissed her neck, taking in the fragrance. Their love routine progressed expertly for they’ve been there many times. She, a twenty-something single gal. He, a sixty-year-old empty-nester.

His wife had no idea of the goings-on. He wondered, though, if she was able to read his mind.

“More coffee, dear?” she piped while holding the carafe.

He returned to the woman of his dreams. Gave her quality time until another incident caused an interruption.

“What would you like to do today?” his wife asked.

Breakfast over, he put fantasizing of the other woman on hold.

Writer's Block - Nevermore, by Doug Bartlett

28/6/2019

Edgar sat staring at the blank page for over an hour. What should he write about? Should he delve deep into his imagination or draw from personal experiences? Should he avoid politics and religion?

He quickly grabbed a pen and paper and began writing furiously. “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered…” Suddenly, a large black bird swooped through the open window and perched on the windowsill.

Upset at the interruption, Edgar threw a large book at the bird, causing it to shriek loudly, at which point a rapping came at his chamber door. “Mr. Poe, are you okay?”

Ignorance Is Bliss, by Sankar Chatterjee

28/6/2019

The web-photo sent a chill through Howard Cohen: adult children of the strongman, accompanying him on a foreign trip in taxpayers’ money, were attending a lavish party in dazzling outfits and glorious smiles. He suddenly remembered a historic photo in a Berlin museum: a group of smiling and singing SS-youths who held jobs in the Auschwitz death-camps was enjoying weekend activities in a campsite. Howard himself survived Auschwitz by maintaining the major crematorium functioning round-the-clock.

Recently Howard learned about secretly separated migrant children, detained at US-border prison-camps denying life-sustaining facilities. However, citizens remain extremely busy in summer picnics and baseball.

The Alpha's Rage, by Bex Gooding

28/6/2019

The pressure of the werewolf’s anger was like a raging sea, the fires of fury smouldering in his eyes.

The General coughed again and spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground.

‘Your friends.’ he said. ‘Whatever they had planned is of no consequence, they’re dead.’

The werewolf roared, he was not a blood thirsty, mindless beast, he was a protector of people and did not kill at random. He raised his leg and slammed his foot down onto the General’s head, smashing his skull like an eggshell, killing him instantly.

He was an Alpha, the most protective of all.

The Cupcake Kid, by Mark Tulin

28/6/2019

Ollie woke up at midnight and snuck downstairs to the kitchen. He got a stepstool and opened the cupboard door.

He snatched a couple of cupcakes and sat on the sofa eating them in the dark, making sure to lick off the icing before tossing the wrappers behind the couch.

The next night, Ollie sneaked to the kitchen again. This time there were locks on the cupboards.

Ollie returned to bed, disappointed.

The next morning, Ollie looked through his mother’s purse and found the keys to the locks. He put them back and smiled with his two front teeth missing.

Jesus Laughing, by Diane Clark

28/6/2019

While standing in line against the wall at a church supper, I found myself next to a painting entitled "Jesus Laughing." It struck me that I could not recall ever seeing a picture of Jesus that was not solemn. And believe me, having been raised in the Bible Belt, I have seen lots of pictures of Jesus! This one showed Jesus with his head thrown back and his mouth wide open, enjoying something wonderfully funny—perhaps a joke from one of his disciples.

I wonder what Jesus would find to laugh at if he set foot on Planet Earth today.

Pooh-Sticks, by Gordon Lawrie

28/6/2019

"Ever played Pooh-sticks?" said Jay to his equally bored border guard Mike.

"Pooh-sticks? What the – ?" Mike asked.

"That game English kids play. From, y'know, Winnie-the-Pooh, Christopher Robin and so on."

Mike was unimpressed. "Never heard of it. So?"

"The bear and the pig watch sticks floating down river, guessing which one reaches the other side first."

"That's it?"

Jay shrugged. "Passes the time."

Jay chose a big one floating in the water; Mike, a smaller one nearby. They reached the bank simultaneously.

"Dead heat!" Mike said, animated.

"OK, showtime," Jay said. "I'll fish them out, you fetch the body-bags."

(Photo: AP/Julia le Duc)

Banquet Room, by Phyllis Souza

28/6/2019

"Hurry, we need to find a table," Minnie said.

"Hold up. My legs are killing me." Emma bent a knee, with hands-on thigh, she stretched. “That’s better.”

"Over there." Minnie pointed, then grabbed Emma's hand. They rushed towards a window and gazed onto a darkening garden lit with twinkling lights.

"Let’s sit before somebody takes our spot." Pulling a chair from the table, Emma plopped. Like a shitake mushroom, her derrière flattened spilling over the seat.

"Here comes that good looking bus driver. I hope he comes to our table," Minnie said. He sailed past. "I hope he chokes."

The Woman with the Beige Leather Coat, by Guy Fletcher

28/6/2019

"I never see that woman with the beige leather coat anymore on the bus," stated Jack.
"She's been taken away, if you know what I mean," replied Tom who knew everything about the village.
"She was always on the mobile, ranting and raving, a teacher wasn't she?"
"Not for many a year. She was not actually on the phone but conversing with imaginary people, not enough to be locked up for but then she had a psychotic episode."
Jack pictured her in a psychiatric unit speaking to ghosts, knowing we are all one step away from insanity.

The Woman in the Black Veil, by Zane Castillo

28/6/2019

It was the black veil that terrified Darius. It rested on the woman’s face; slowly rising and falling. A long black dress flowed around her as she stood in the cabin doorway.

Darius froze in place. In the next room, Bernadice was asleep and he couldn’t call out to her.

The woman walked into the room and stopped in the center. Snow began to pile up on the floor from the open door. Darius backed away from her in fear. The woman’s veil slowly rose to reveal a vacant face. Darius screamed out as the faceless woman moved toward him.

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