“How many years?”“Thirty-three.”“Oh, my… But why?”“Why what?”“Why did you come back now?”“I’ve no one there. No job, either. My mom’s here. And my sister, too.”“Uh-huh. And how are you doing so far?”“Better than I thought I would, I think.”“You think?”“Yeah.”“Things are different from what you remember or are used to, I suppose.”“The sky’s the same.” For Friday Fictioneers. Continue reading comfort
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
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
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
A monster tramped in the falling snow, growling and devouring everything in its path, wiping out the reminders of civilization and leaving rubble and grime before returning to the sea. Familiar scenes vanished and became memories, tears were shed until no more, and resilience was imposed to persevere. Today, the sea is calm while, on the shore, a different type of varmint rages on, and … Continue reading ten years later
The wooden steps to the back porch are rotten and wobbly. The rain gutters that hang askew drip every time it rains. The roof with rusted nails is perched on the flimsy eaves and will fly off sooner or later. I don’t fix them. Instead, just wait until either the house or I finally give out. I could sell this place and make them somebody … Continue reading pressing matters
My eyes open slowly. I am lying on a cold, hard surface and see the dim outlines of things – broken windows, turned-over furniture, debris on the floor. Where am I? I remember running, hiding, being hungry. Humanity died when the war started. I inhale the night air. Then hear someone else taking a breath. I exhale stealthily. “Are you awake?” A hoarse voice comes … Continue reading before it ends
Nobody talks at dinner; their heads are down, staring at devices in their hands. The other hands hold utensils, and they work in motion from the plates to the mouths, making occasional noises. I bring a spoonful of the tomato bisque to my lips, “I miss the old times,” muttering under my breath. All heads at the table turn in my direction. I quickly cover … Continue reading order
“Donate those. Throw that away.” She categorizes the items that her daughter brings from the closet one by one. “You sure you wanna do this now?” “Yes. Let’s continue, shall we?” Her daughter sighs and picks the next item. “Ah, the pink dress…” Her pale, thin face softens. “I wore that for the event… How many years ago?” Her daughter says nothing. “I thought I … Continue reading her hero
What does nelkumi think? 