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Submitted to Contest #338
Iris Thorne wiped her hand over the donated book, the grit clinging to her skin like sandpaper. Outside, the wind hammered the glass, trying to force its way in, but Iris was elsewhere—lost in the slow-motion realization of the sheer time dust requires to claim a thing. Receiving such a relic felt like gazing into an antique mirror. She rubbed the cover again, as if summoning a spirit from a lamp, and a fine grey puff caught her nose."Ah-choo!" Under the disturbed veil, a tainted gold-leaf title emerged: The Murder of Crows.Unthinking, she...
Submitted to Contest #337
The last time I visited, that photo was still on the coffee table. I remember trying to keep the conversation going, but my eyes kept drifting to the frame—to the wind in my salty hair and the earring he gave me glinting in the sun. It’s my eyes in that shot that haunt me; they’re half-shut with that heavy, liquid trust cats have when they know they’re safe. He was laughing, holding me from behind, until his breath seemed to move the very air around us.Now, I text and get nothing. I call and hear only his voicemail. I want to just show up, ...
Submitted to Contest #323
Home. “Sun’s up!” James yelled. He stood shivering in a white singlet and corduroy cargo pants that sat crooked on his tiny hips.Lyra set down her coffee and pulled a bright red skivvy from the dryer, quickly yanking it over his head. The snug neckline made his cheeks flush as he popped out for air and hurriedly pushed his arms into the sleeves while Lyra tucked it in.Imitating a racing car, James zoomed to his room and rummaged his drawer for a pair of thick, dark-green socks. Lyra quickly rinsed her mug and followed.“Ahh, the green ones ...
Submitted to Contest #320
Sensitive mentions divorce. Echo's name was a cruel joke. Her smile, though wide and generous, never quite reached her eyes. She didn't have the energy, nor did she try to hide herself completely. Instead, she was smart; she offered them glimpses: the tight muscles in her neck, the sallowness of her skin in direct sunlight, the crushed t-shirts with faded stains, the patched jeans. It was her simple trick to avoid fools - an open invitation for the shallow, the preoccupied, and the selfish to escape. "Mummy," Echo responded to her son's out...
Submitted to Contest #319
Warning. Theme of Violence. In the past, a special bond often formed between children who celebrated their birthdays on the same day, marking not just a date on the calendar but an immediate happy bond that only children can do well at. But as adults, sharing the same birthday might bring a smile, maybe cause a temporary connection but we move on. Life feels pretty grim as I now confront the haunting reality that two people I have known for most of my life now share the same death day. My sister and Matthew, a boy I grew up with, both passe...
Submitted to Contest #311
Warning: Swearing, Violence and Political suicide. I imagined myself as a myrtle tree. It wasn’t difficult to envision having roots, a wooden trunk, and branches that spread out with spiky leaves and soft pink, crepe flowers. That part was easy. I belong to Generation X, and being identified as an intangible criminal within that classification is the norm. If God were to erase a generation, it would be us—Generation X: the wayfinders, the truth-tellers, the healers, the artists, the visionaries, the jokers, the outcasts and Mavericks. Yes, w...
Submitted to Contest #308
Warning. Capital punishment, violence, rape, discrimination themes and sexuality. 25/06/25 I like to keep my explanations brief because my client list is overflowing, leaving me little time even to brew a cup of instant soup. About a week ago, I decided to take on a pro bono job. It wasn't difficult to research, but it was certainly a bizarre case. I focused on my appearance. I puckered my lips and applied vibrant, low-cost pink lipstick that brightened my face. I curled my hair, watching as the ringlets bounced into place. Then, I fumbled ...
Submitted to Contest #282
"I'm sorry, Rami. You were right; I never should have gone to that University Ball," wailed Sasha.Rami hissed as he dissolved Sasha's false ego, "That dress does not suit you!"Rami's mind made a deep sweep through his memories of the events during the last week.***"Are you ready?" Rami asked Sasha as he watched her go through her familiar routine of slipping off her shoes and standing in her socks on the polished timber floor. She nodded in response."Gemini, play my ethno-music loop, please," Rami commanded as he counted his cash drawer. The...
Submitted to Contest #281
Please note; Sexual References.The train platform was damp. I could hear the train rattling in, its noise echoing off the tunnel walls. My educated guess was that it was only a minute away at the most. Frigid winds swirled around me, causing the soggy fallen leaves at my feet to lift their tips slightly as if longing to dance.I pulled my dark parka tight, trying to trap warmth around my torso. I wrapped my long, bright scarf around my neck and over my mouth and nose, hoping to warm the wisps of breath escaping me. The hood, made heavy by its...
Submitted to Contest #266
Warning: Sexual References, Cussing, Swearing and Drug use and Mental Health referenced.I have always steered clear of Romance writing. I mean, the mushy, sentimental kind that some writers – mostly myself - shy away from. However, this week's writer's prompt happened to be that theme - Romance! It seemed pretty straightforward - boy meets girl, they fall in love, have some tension and conflicts then ultimately tie the knot - right?The recorded announcement at the train station stated, "The Brisbane City and Caboolture Train will arrive in a...
Submitted to Contest #265
A partially shaved man's face came into view on my display, his voice melodic and soothing. “Hello, fellow YouTubers. My name is Listening Brad, and today, I'm transporting you back to Australia in 2018.The display transitioned to a rotating silver and purple flashing Merkaba accompanied by eerie music. A well-trained conspiracy theorist ear would pick up the music as a back-masked or reversed rendition of a well-known song from the 1960s which had explicit occult themes. The Channel's name was displayed in black, bold letters next to the no...
Submitted to Contest #264
Warning, One swear word.On Saturday afternoons, Jim typically dedicated his time to studying. However, on this particular Saturday, his role took a different turn as he was tasked with the simple yet important duty of directing wedding guests to their designated seating areas, as Bob, the usual usher, had fallen sick. Armed with the straightforward question, "Are you with the bride or groom?" Jim would then guide guests to either the right or left row of the long, wooden pews based on their responses.Maree chose not to respond to Jim's inqui...
Submitted to Contest #260
Warning. Cussing.Every morning at 3 a.m., for the last seven years, I started my day with yoga, followed by prayer. During the recent past, I was distracted by a small and vulnerable cat. Somehow he was aware of my quiet body movements and silent prayer and sent a soft meow through the gap between the old front door and the wooden floor. "Please, Miss, could we have some food?" The sweetness of the melodic, pleading sound tugged at my heartstrings for those three poor animals. Although it was deeply unsettling to imagine their stomachs growl...
Submitted to Contest #258
Walking in this beautiful place, I find myself feeling calm and at peace, away from life's many trials. Some decisions that initially seem quick and straightforward often take years, a lifetime, or even lifetimes to sort out the troubles they caused. I walked along the shore of Sutton’s Beach to temporarily escape from my complex emotions. The afternoon sun felt gentle on my skin, and my wide-brimmed straw hat, with relaxed cords and toggle, swayed playfully in the breeze as it toyed with my long brown hair. My sarong beats on my hip like so...
Submitted to Contest #256
Neroli's pained expression was evident as she asked, "Why can't you go to the Football with me tonight?" I felt a wave of discomfort, like I was drained of energy, as it surged to switch on my electrical fence. Growing up, I had overly permeable boundaries, so the thought of another pained barrage of begging triggered the beginnings of a headache. Instinctively, I contracted my body, much like a day flower without sunlight or a butterfly diving back into its used chrysalis. I couldn't bear to meet her gaze, knowing how intense she could...
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