Irreplaceable
Prioritizing is Important - a Micro Heist Story
John burst into the flaming, smoking house, his shirt a makeshift mask. He’d do anything for this treasure.
The kids were safe, the dogs, of course, the hamster. Even the kids’ iPads had been saved in his irrational haste.
Marcy would approve, thought John, holding back tears that would only evaporate anyway.
Something irreplaceable resided within those rising flames. Something John couldn’t live without.
Through stinging eyes, he scanned the fiery room. The heat threatened to melt him into a puddle. He hacked phlegm into his shirt. The acrid air punched his nostrils. Stung his lungs.
It wasn’t his laptop with his unfinished manuscript. Nor was it the heirloom jewelry.
The treasure lay in the rounded wooden cabinet in the far corner of the orange blaze. Being kissed by the hungry tongues of fire slowly licking up its sides.
“I’m too late—!”
Despite the pain and blisters, John's theft proved worthwhile. He coughed, carrying his prize out into the night, cradling it against his singed shirt.
The album, its edges charred and frayed, held cherished pictures: Marcy in her wedding dress, gorgeous. An unforgettable day.
Those memories were already burned into his mind, sure, but…. Saving the photos brought solace.
About the Creator
JP Harris
I like writing kooky stories
If You Love Me, You'll Do It
I met Jason when I was five years old. I could say that I loved him from the moment I saw him. He was so handsome to me and I felt in awe by his presence. When they introduced him as the new kid in school, I wanted to be his friend right away. I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember his smile and how he didn't seem shy. He appeared confident and ready to learn. I waved at him and said "hello," before anyone else could even say a word. He sat next to me, and I asked him if he wanted to be friends. He looked so happy as he said, "Yes!"
By Sidney Smith (Sid Smith)7 days ago in Fiction
Standing While Falling
Quotation from Friedrich Nietzsche "He who wrestles long with monsters should beware lest he himself become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you. Man is not destroyed by suffering, but by the meaning he makes of it."
By LUCCIAN LAYTH6 days ago in Critique
Comments (2)
Aww, this was sweet. The emotions hit very hard throughout, and I love how the fire didn't become a trope. This felt grounded in real people and real emotions. Hard to pull off in a super short story like this. I love this part: The treasure lay in the rounded wooden cabinet in the far corner of the orange blaze. Being kissed by the hungry tongues of fire slowly licking up its sides. The irony of the fire "kissing" the album, like it was violating John's wife...this is a very good metaphor. Well done!
This was quite intense. Great job. I can envision him stumbling from the flame riddled house, photo album cradled. Very well done.