The sound of an escaping breath wakes me up. I slowly open my eyes and notice the pale light. The curtains, which I’m sure I had closed before I went to bed, are wide open. A figure stands by the window. Its smooth face, which is shined by the moonlight, stares outside. I stay quiet and still. The figure sighs, turns its head towards me, … Continue reading a ghost
The rain pelts down on the remnants of civilization—reflections of flashing red lights, flyers with blurred words, and discarded paper wraps. Tall buildings behind the mist are quiet, windows dark.I cross the empty street.My head tells me to hurry, but my feet feel clumsy. I glance behind and see no one. Hear no footsteps. Only shadows shrouded in the night rain linger.The rain pummels harder.Thump, … Continue reading a ghostwriter
“Hello.”“Hello there. I’m just calling to let you know that I’m on my way.”“You’re coming to take him.”“Yes.”“Take me, too.”“I’m afraid I can’t do that.”“I don’t wanna be left alone.”“I know it’s hard.”“You’ve taken everybody.”“I’ll come back for you some other time.”“Don’t keep me waiting too long.”“You’ll be fine.”“I’ll have to be. Again. Alright. See you soon, Death.” For What Do You See #122. Continue reading a call
Yelling and shouting, I heard. Oh, I don’t know about what. I just saw the truck leave the driveway shortly after. I’d heard them argue before. They scream all the time. They don’t talk. They shout. One morning, I recall, she stomped out of the house, screaming, “I’ll kill you.” Then he came out, grabbed her, and went inside with her. The whole time, her … Continue reading a witness
They frowned, looked askance at me, and then spat the word out, turning away. “Weirdo!” My eyes widened and sparkled, the corners of my mouth turning upward. For Three Line Tales – week 304. きみ、変わってるよ。一番の褒め言葉だね。ありがとう。 Continue reading best compliment
I enter a gigantic, circular room and am surrounded by books.Walkways and a spiral staircase connect the shelves along the curved wall and disappear into the darkness above.I walk towards the tightly lined spines of books, my heart racing, lift my hand, and touch… For Friday Fictioneers – 8 October 2021 and Three Line Tales – week297. Continue reading virtual reality
Some give thumb-downs saying she is hideous and fake, and others call her beautiful and tap likes and hearts.Her followers see mirror-shot photos, in which her face remains hidden behind a smartphone, and regard her with her pseudonym.“I am. I am. I am…” she murmurs, and a bolt of lightning flashes. For Three Line Tales – week 295. Continue reading anonymous
Maneuvering around the dead and debris, I trudge along with other survivors; everyone is silent, bloodshot eyes are vacant. Cars that carry officials in uniforms speed by, enclosing us in the dust of confusion.Soon, the reconstruction will begin. For Three Line Tales – Week 288. Continue reading aftermath
Beep, beep, beep. Wheeeeeeen, thud. Chomp, chomp, chomp…The garbage truck is loud at the end of her street, hurling the neighbor’s overflowing trash bin and crushing the waste to pieces. She sets her half-full container at the curbside and shuffles back to her house through the empty side of the garage, passing by an unoccupied dog house.Clink, clink…As she closes the door, a car key … Continue reading waste collection
The rain pelts mercilessly. My parched throat craves liquid, but my feeble brain knows better than to swallow. Tugging the hood of the heavy rubber coat, I lick my cracked lips and taste blood.I hurry along the empty alley, spattering the reflections of blinking lights. Discarded flyers and plastic wrappers cling to the wet asphalt. The dark, silent windows of storehouses gaze down at me.I … Continue reading dry
What does nelkumi think? 