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Entries for the Micro Fiction Challenge 2022 and Drabble Activity 2024. |
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Short stories of 100 words exactly, written for the Micro Fiction Challenge, 2022, the Drabble Activity 2024, plus a few for my own benefit. |
| Space Rapture ‘The thing is,’ thought Aubrey, ‘why did they still put astrodomes in spaceships after they’d found out about star rapture? It didn’t make sense, now that they knew that any astronaut spending time looking at the stars would inevitably become raptured, and unable to tear himself away from the sight. ‘Even if the crew hauled the stricken one down, he never recovered and would be back in the astrodome at the first opportunity. Why not remove all windows and rely upon video screens to provide visual confirmation of navigation?’ Aubrey sighed, shook his head, and kept staring into deep space. Word count: 100 For Drabble Activity 2024, Week 2 Prompt: Story to be horror, fantasy or science fiction. |
| Bad News for Elna “I’m sorry, Elna, but the decision has been made. The library has to be modernised.” Elna could not help thinking that he did not look very sorry. In fact, her boss, Blair, seemed rather smug to be announcing such news. “I understand,” said Elna meekly. “So you know it means you will be replaced?” “Of course,” replied Elna. “Will I be reassigned?” “I believe there’s an opening in records. You’d be ideal for that.” “When will I be moving?” “The human will take a week to acclimatise. Then you’d need a name change from Electronic Librarian Natural Access, of course.” Word count: 100 For Drabble Activity 2024 Week 1 Prompt: Librarian. |
| Game of Thrones Challenge - Last Will and Testament “Name?” “Henry R. George.” The man at the desk looked up. “A male? Are you sure you’re in the right place?” Henry shrugged. “Yup. Against my better judgement, I’ve decided to give it a go.” “Bloody hell, mate. That’s either bravery beyond belief or you’re just raving.” “Probably both.” The man peered over his glasses. “They work like stink, you know. Dawn to dusk and more. Total workaholics.” “I know. I’m hoping inspiration will see me through. It’ll probably kill me instead. I have to try.” The man looked back down at the entry form. “Fate to the winds, hey?” Word count: 100 Reason: They said prepare - I guess this is my version. Unprompted. |
| The Raid Wulfgar peered through the bushes at the monastery church nestling in the valley below. There were no lights visible, not even in the cloisters that led to the dormitories. Clearly the monks were already abed and snoring after the labours of the day. He turned to look at the men crouched down behind the crest. The tension in their eyes was quite visible as they stared in concentration at their leader. “Right, lads,” said Wulfgar quietly. “It’s time to move. Follow me down and keep it quiet. And for Thor’s sake, don’t leave your brass rubbing equipment behind this time.” Word count: 100 No particular reason apart from getting one more on the board. Prompt: None. |
| Patience Bill Stickers is ambling aimlessly down the street, then turns and enters Joe’s Ice Cream Parlor. He lifts a hand in greeting to the proprietor. “Hey, Joe, how’s it going?” Joe pauses in mid-swipe of his cloth at the gleaming counter. “Bit slow,” he replies. “Weather’s still too cool for ice cream.” “Yeah, the wind’s got an edge today and most folks are staying home if they can.” Bill sits on a stool at the counter. Joe shakes his head and wipes the counter again. “Can I get you anything?” “Nope,” says Bill. “Guess I’ll just wait for Spring.” Word count: 100 No particular reason - I started so I finished. Prompt: None. |
| Little Green Men When Anton Zelinski first met the aliens, they asked to be taken to his leader. Anton found this a difficult question. He considered his wife momentarily but, on reflection, rejected the idea as a bit too personal. The mayor might have been suitable, although Anton had never thought much of him. And the President seemed a little out of Anton’s immediate reach. Further enquiries revealed that the aliens expected someone more akin to a monarch, anyway. Anton discerned that the aliens were much in need of instruction in the workings of democracy and signed them up for a civics course. Word count: 100 For no particular reason Prompt: None. |
| Fairies There were fairies in the back yard, Arnold Whitter was convinced of it. He tried taking photographs of them but they were too fast. As soon as he’d got them in focus, they’d gone. In the end, he resorted to faking it. His deception was soon revealed by modern technology. He was “outed.” Everyone laughed and told him stories of the Cottingley fairies. “It’s been done,” they told him. Arnold braved it out and insisted it was true. He became a national object of derision. What really added injury to insult, however, was when the fairies sued him for defamation. Word count: 100 For no reason other than the need to write something. No prompt. |
| Tattoo William sat down in the chair offered by the tattooist. “I want something entirely different,” he said. “Have a look through this then,” answered the artist, handing over a portfolio with many examples on each of its pages. William flicked through a few before shaking his head. “Nah, it needs to be something really special. I’ve seen people with tats like these.” The tattooist gave him a hard look. “In that case, you’d better have our exclusive special offer.” “Sounds more like it,” said William. “What’s different about it?” “It’s so expensive, no one’s ever been able to afford it.” Word count: 100 For no particular reason Prompt: None. |
| Power Man It all began when I crash landed on this planet nearly ten years ago. The inhabitants, who were remarkably human in most ways, healed my wounds and enabled me to recover to full health over several earth weeks. That was when I realised that the locals were incredibly fragile in comparison to me. My comparative strength made me a sort of superhero amongst them. This became my natural function and I took the name of Power Man. Over the years a great sadness overtook me, however. There was no joy in saving the inhabitants anymore. Homesickness is a terrible thing. Word count: 100 For no particular reason. The prompt was an extrapolation from a passing thought. |
| AirPod Harry entered the bathroom and made his way toward the great white throne. Something on the shelf cluttered with his wife’s toiletries distracted his eye. It was one of those white AirPods that had taken the place of the old walkman earphones of another age. Harry had never liked those, since they always fell out. AirPods must surely be worse, unattached to wires as they were. He decided to give this one a try and popped it into his ear. A voice intoned, “Right, that’s another one. Watch his antics when he finds out he can’t get rid of it.” Word count: 100 For Microscopic Stories No prompt - just another bathroom inspiration. |
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