Microfiction
In the Waiting Room
“Doctor Mark is wrapping up his 8 o’clock, he won’t be long.” He thanks the pretty receptionist and smiles at her. She smiles back, but he can tell: it’s just her retail face, a mask to flatter the sensitivities of middle-aged men, so desperate to be noticed.
By Sam Spinelli10 months ago in Fiction
The Timekeepers
People said time moved slowly in the coastal New England town of Cronsmouth, where sea fog crept through narrow streets and rooftops bowed beneath age and salt. Down a narrow lane off the town square stood a watch shop. Despite its age and the seaside storms it endured, the two-story brick building stood firm. Its windows were always misted, and its wooden sign hung by a rusted chain over the solid oak door. The sign’s once-gilded letters read:
By N.A. Canniff10 months ago in Fiction
The Persistence
They dressed him in one of his eight pairs of pants, one of his twenty-one shirts, and two of his thirty-four socks. He was prepared by the same two individuals - his mother and his brother - and their routine took only 18 seconds longer than usual. A few breaths more than the average count.
By Bridget Couture10 months ago in Fiction
The Hidden Heartbeat
A cool draft slithers its way down Damien's spine though sweat runs between his aching shoulder blades. He shifts uncomfortably as he crouches below an air vent. Why must the damn air conditioning be on full blast at the end of September, especially when the place is empty?
By Alyssa Musso10 months ago in Fiction
Hollow and dead
I first noticed her because of her hair — sunset red and wild, like a flame that forgot it was ever meant to burn out. She sat on the edge of the fountain in the square, feeding crumbs to birds with chipped fingernails. But I could see her eyes. Sad, hollow, dead, like someone crying in dreams she never remembered.
By F.R. Gautvik10 months ago in Fiction
Hourglass
He didn’t know whether to stay in or go out. Outside did not look good, it was like a dark rain, but he couldn’t be bothered to go to the window. He had a cup of tea and the television was on, full of infotainment and infoverts, which was enough to keep his braid occupied.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 10 months ago in Fiction
No Witnesses. Runner-Up in 500 Word Shockwave Challenge.
No witnesses. That was the key. It’s tough enough to get away with murdering someone you know. But killing someone you’re married to is guaranteed to put you in the frame - especially if an unaccounted-for witness sees the killing.
By Pitt Griffin10 months ago in Fiction
