The bed is uncomfortable enough to make her wish she were dead. She sighs, and the bleary ceiling stares at her. “Are you awake, Ms. Wise?” A cheery voice enters the room, along with a squeak made by shoes on the linoleum floor. As the door opens and closes, Ms. Wise catches a glimpse of colorful objects glide down the hallway, passing by her … Continue reading the invisible
She looked at her cracked fingertips as the dry, cold air rustled around her, and her warm breath melted the frost. She had lost everything, almost everything, her life turning upside down. The faint light shimmered in the frigid, and she trod on, leaving her footprints in the fresh snow. Three challenges in one! Written for Friday Fictioneers – 13 December 2019, Flash … Continue reading downfall
“There is Santa Claus!” “No, there isn’t!” “Who cares, I got my toy.” For Three Line Tales – Week 201. Continue reading simple innocence
“You’ve been crying for a long time, haven’t you?” The voice startles Rei. She has been crying alone in the room. Or, so she thought. She blinks her tears and raises her face, turning to the voice. “I smelled tears.” Rei looks at the closed door and locked window, snuffles, and, narrowing her eyes, shifts herself. “I won’t hurt you. I wanna help … Continue reading teary fairy
She steadied herself and, fixing her skirt, briefly lost concentration on the red balloon she had been carrying. The string started to slip from her hand. She immediately tried to grasp it. The red balloon, however, leaped, trailing the thin line. Away from her. She jumped to seize it and ended up merely stirring and fanning it. The red balloon soared higher and higher, … Continue reading The red balloon
She survived the darkness by hiding and believing that she was not good enough and ignored the sound. One day, a carriage stopped and waited patiently outside, and she lifted her head, mustering her courage, listened, and stood up on her feet. She took a step and another, then another, until she was in the sunlight, and onto the carriage, ushered by her own … Continue reading beauty and the beast
She opens the plastic cover halfway as the instruction on the box states and places the tray of lasagna in the microwave. While waiting, she watches a YouTube video of a stray dog being rescued. From the covered with a mat of hair and filth to the tail-wagging, adorable. Beep. Beep. She takes the tray out and peels off the cover, avoiding the hot … Continue reading covered
She doesn’t hear me and walks straight by me. She doesn’t see me either. I decide to watch her. Really watch her. Pay full attention to her. She vigorously washes pots and pans until they shine and scrubs the bathroom with bleach. She doesn’t go out much, stays home, reorganizing the shelves and drawers, and cries. I try to reach for her, talk to … Continue reading sound of my voice
A red wallet, a cell phone, a pair of glasses, and a pen. The contents seemed untouched. A dog walker had found a purse in the bush at the park across from the police station and brought it in. The shoulder strap was torn, but the metal clasp still locked. A $100 bill was safely tucked inside the unscathed wallet. There was, however, … Continue reading belongings
They covered their ears and kept their eyes closed. Under the billowing clouds, the wind whistled and rattled everything, and leaves and twigs twirled and rolled. They huddled and waited. When the wind died down, they staggered out. The sky was clear, and the gigantic plants vibrant. “Hey, she’s back!” “What?” “There!” They looked where his pudgy finger was pointing. Something purple glistened in … Continue reading a twister
