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Weekly Contest #369
The three of us sat, together, in Mum’s lounge, probably for the last time. I kept wanting to cry. The grief was exhausting. No, really, I wanted to curl up somewhere and hide until the hurting eased. Certainly, I held no desire to be with these two. Kylee, eldest sister and big on organisation, addressed Melanie and me. Yeah, addressed. This was not casual conversation. We were close by blood, but not by friendship. At a couple of years off 60, she looked good. Menopause had not been a big deal for her. “I’ve spoken with Jane at Ashby’s. Sh...
Weekly Contest #368
The humans, when they spoke of us, called us a blessing. Our beauty awed them. We were not so kind. This is the story of before, when they dominated the world with pain and greed. My sisters and I watched a group of them. They had come to a place remote from their cities, a place where the trees still grew tall, the grasses covered the earth, and the water was clean. We thought it was a safe place for us. The horror of the danger they carried, we shared without words. We spoke through our bristling hair, our sharp breaths, alert ears, throug...
The dolls were, yet again, in an untidy heap. Caroline frowned at the bodies lying in impossible angles. They appeared to have all been lifted then dumped back down. They were not going to sell like that. In fact, they would put people off the shop. She was going to have to climb into the window and sort them. “Don’t you girls want new homes?” She asked as she took each one out and checked for damage. This was her bizarre morning ritual. Every evening, she left the dolls lined up, ready to catch a child’s eye, or that of a parent. Each morn...
Weekly Contest #364
ASHESMy head hurt and my eyes were jammed shut. My gut was doing violently painful stuff. Vomit was catching in my throat. It was like someone had hit me over the head and punched me in my stomach.If only I could remember.Maybe I was in hospital. I should be. There was only one way to find out. I took a deep breath. Hmmm. The smell was recognisable; pine, carbon and glued cardboard.The desire to open my eyes fled. Of course, I knew the scent. The air purifier never quite covered it. I was in the waiting room.Now I know my location, I could w...
Weekly Contest #363
Storm Damage. I held Hetterford’s body in my arms and sobbed. His soft, grey fur soaked up my hysterical tears. With his death, it felt as if all the goodness had left my world.It was no illness or accident that killed my little feline friend. He had been dispatched with a lightning bolt to his heart.My father was the one who had done it. The Storm of Storm Inc. killed my cat because I disagreed with him over a minor matter relating to the family business. Dad ruled my brothers and I ruthlessly. He was The Storm and he didn’t care who he hur...
Weekly Contest #325
A Hint of Hyacinth If a breeze could have been coloured purple and have the scent of hyacinths, then that was what brushed against the skin on my forearms. My arm hairs, barely visible normally, but shocked awake, all stood to attention. There should be no air movement, strong enough yet with such delicacy, to do this. I was standing, alone in the funeral home. The viewing room was empty of all but the podium and a bunch of stacked chairs. Soon, the staff would bring in the latest coffin and the flowers. Whatever was causing the disruption i...
Weekly Contest #324
Beacon The green light, small but constant, glowed in the thickening gloom. I think it was trying to reassure me. I was beyond reassuring. If I had the energy, I would have hated that light. It spoke too clearly of my predicament, of my shame, of my impending doom. I should have done everything better. As daughter and grand-daughter of professional mountaineers, I thought I could read the terrain and the weather. The forecast said showers but those clouds had suggested more. The hike up the ridge was a good one. The cloudy day made for comf...
Weekly Contest #323
The Candle Tis struck the match against the box. There was a hiss, and the flame leapt up. The sharp scent of sulphur brought a moment of discomfort, but it was fleeting. Her hand was steady as she lit the candle on the window sill. There was absolutely nothing special about the tall, white candle she placed in the holder. It was one of those you are supposed to have on hand for if the power goes out. With phones and watches now doubling as torches, they were close to redundant. Back when Tis started this evening ritual, she had used pretty...
Weekly Contest #322
The Price of Winning. “Hey, Arrow? Are you ready? Shall we go to the show? Aunty Sylvie is going to pick us up soon.” Arrow stuck his nose into the large jute bag at Carla’s feet. “Yep. Don’t panic. I packed you plenty of treats. Water too.” Carla surveyed the items she was taking. It was so much easier when she travelled in her own car. Everything she could need was already packed. Sylvie, though, suggested pooling their vehicles. The fuel savings would be considerable. Arrow switched his focus from the bag to Carla’s face. She smiled. Sh...
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