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Tag: short story

First Assignment

First Assignment

Completing my training to be a Spirit Animal was the greatest accomplishment of my life. Unlike most of my 1500 clutch-mates, I made it to adulthood, where I was quickly tapped to enter the program to become a guide to the humans in need of our wisdom and skill. The majority of my classmates were birds and frogs, which made me glad dragonflies can see in 360°. I was assured by my instructors, students in the program were forbidden to…

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Dugout

Dugout

Dugout   It started with my first kiss. Jacob and I were sitting on my bed, playing RBI on my PS4, when he hit a grand slam off me and moved ahead by one run. “Big bad baseball star getting his ass kicked by a tennis player. That must sting!” he shouted as his last man rounded third. “Pure luck. I let you have that one because I felt sorry for you,” I replied, though I hadn’t really. I threw…

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Finding Time, Part 4 (from the Needle in the Hay contest, “Hindsight isn’t 20/20”)

Finding Time, Part 4 (from the Needle in the Hay contest, “Hindsight isn’t 20/20”)

This is the final installment of the series told in reverse order, so it takes place before Part 3. The brief for this section included: a dead end, a confession from the protagonist, and a proverb.   The overcast skies reflected the mood of the couple in the small London apartment. Grandma Hannah’s death had been a surprise to no one, as she had been ill for some time, but knowledge that it was imminent did nothing to soften the…

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Finding Time, Part 3 (from the Needle in the Hay contest, “Hindsight isn’t 20/20”)

Finding Time, Part 3 (from the Needle in the Hay contest, “Hindsight isn’t 20/20”)

This is Part 3 of the series told in reverse order, so it takes place before Part 2. The brief for this section included: a mirror, a conversation with a child, and an unforeseen consequence.   “Yes, Hannah. I promise I’ll bring you back a present from my trip to America,” Michael said, speaking into his laptop screen. The little girl on the other end of the Skype call grew excited. “What kind of gift, Daddy?” she said. “Well, that…

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Finding Time Part 2 (from the Needle in the Hay contest “Hindsight isn’t 20/20”)

Finding Time Part 2 (from the Needle in the Hay contest “Hindsight isn’t 20/20”)

Part 2 of the four part series told out of order. The brief for this piece included: a photograph, a brewing storm, and a closing door.   The crash of thunder jolted Michael awake.  Shit!  I didn’t mean to fall asleep!  He looked over at the mound on the other side of the bed.  No movement.  Good, he thought.  As gently as possible, he pushed back the blankets and eased out of the bed.  Of course, his clothes were scattered…

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Four Part Short Story Contest

Four Part Short Story Contest

The new short story posted today is Part One of a short story contest I entered recently. It is a unique series of stories in that they are told backwards. Part 1 happens in some point in time after Part 2, which happens after Part 3, which happens after Part 4. So the reader will know the ending before he/she will know the beginning. To make it a bit more challenging, the folks running the contest provided items that must…

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Finding Time, Part 1 (from the Needle in the Hay contest “Hindsight isn’t 20/20.”)

Finding Time, Part 1 (from the Needle in the Hay contest “Hindsight isn’t 20/20.”)

This is Part 1 of a four part short story told in reverse order, so while this is the first part for you, it’s the end of the story.   Michael crept quietly out the door, still carrying his shoes.  Once outside, he sat down on the stoop and quickly slipped into his chukkas and tied the laces.  Glancing up, he saw the lights were still out in the brownstone.  That’s perfect! he thought, and headed down the street. He…

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The One Who Understands

The One Who Understands

This piece was entered into a short story contest called Two Worlds. I’m not 100% happy with it, but I got very busy as the deadline drew nearer, so it’s what I was able to do in my limited time. I like the general idea of the story, but the contest had a strict 1500 word maximum, so it limited my ability to explore the characters as much as I’d have liked.  Perhaps it’s something that will lead to a…

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Some You Can’t Heal

Some You Can’t Heal

This is the short story that started this journey for me.  It’s only fitting it be the first piece I post on this blog.   Some You Can’t Heal   The crack of the whip as it connected with flesh ripped through my ears and terrified me beyond all I’ve ever felt.  As the second strike rang out, tears flooded my eyes to the point where I couldn’t see.  The third made my knees buckle, but I stood firm against…

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