Flash Fiction

September 23, 2016

FFfAW: Infinity

photo by Joy Pixley

“Come, follow me,” she breathed.

“All the way up?” A pain shot through my neck as I craned it back to look at forever.

“Of course. Where else?” She laughed and her dark hair flew behind her as she raced up the steps two at a time.

I tried to keep up, but she kept getting farther and farther away. My legs turned to lead and I leaned against the banister, gasping for breath. “Wait for me! I can’t make it!”

Her voice echoed down, tinged with sadness. “It’s okay. I thought maybe we could go together, but now I know it isn’t allowed.”

“When will I see you again?” I cried out.

Her full-throated laugh floated to my ears. “When it’s your time, love. And I’ll be here waiting to see you at the top. Now go.”

I trudged back down the stairs, my heart heavy and eyes wet.

Word Count: 150

Written for Priceless Joy’s Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers prompt. For more stories by talented writers click the blue frog button.

September 23, 2016

Daily Prompt: A Generous Spirit

“Mind if I sit here?”

I looked up from my ham sandwich and chips to see a pretty brown-haired girl with sparkling blue eyes, and a smile that seemed impossibly wide and bright. I sat stunned anyone would talk to me, much less sit by me, so I didn’t answer other than to nod.

She set her tray down across from me and stuck out her hand. “I’m Jen. And you are?”

I took her hand slowly, wandering if this was some haze the new guy trick. “John.”

“Nice to meet you, John. Just moved here, huh?”

I glanced around the lunchroom, seeing others throw stares and whispers. I frowned and turned back to her. “Is this some kind of trick?”

She looked surprised and hurt. “What are you talking about?”

I gestured toward my body, tall, overweight and unattractive. “Pretty girls just don’t talk to guys like me.”

She grinned. “You think I’m pretty?”

“Uh…”

She swung her hand in a grand gesture which encompassed the entire room. “Look, I grew up here and know all these people already. I love meeting new people and getting to know them. I’m not trying to trick you or anything, I just like making new friends.”

I could feel my face flush. “Sorry,” I mumbled.

“It’s fine. I can understand if you want to be alone.” She grabbed her tray and made to leave.

“No. Wait!” I gestured to her seat. “Please. I…I don’t have any friends here. I would like it if you stayed and talked.”

She smiled at me and I felt my face respond. She sat back down and grabbed her milk. “Okay, but you’re wrong you know.”

“What?”

“You’re wrong. You have at least one friend here.”

***

10 years later

“Mind if I sit here?”

I stand beside a new hire sitting in the break room by herself while everyone else chats with people they’ve known for years. She nods her head and I plop down in the seat across from her. I can see the confusion and suspicion on her face as I stick out my hand. “Hi. I’m John and I like to meet new people.”

_________________________________________________________________

My contribution for the WordPress Daily Prompt. The one-word prompt for the day was Generous. I have had the good fortune to meet many generous people this past year as I go through nursing school and I’m proud to call them friends.

via Daily Prompt: Generous

February 2, 2014

Chain Writing Game 6: The Wall – ep. 13

Episode 13

“Uh…I,” Jadir stuttered as his body reacted to Eliya. He backed up and tripped over his feet, tumbling to the ground. “I’m…flattered, but I love another woman. Her name’s Camilla.”

Eliya’s face turned quizzical, then frowned. “You think I wanted to mate with you?” She chuckled. “This is just how my people dress. There’s not much use for…coverings,” she gestured at Jadir’s clothes, “that hinder movement and catch on branches. In fact…” She pulled a blade from a thigh-sheath and strode forward. “…some of that needs to go.”

Jadir flushed, but allowed her to cut his clothes to shreds.

Chain Writing game

I’m not against romance, I swear. It just seemed like a good part to highlight cultural differences (yeah, that’s the ticket) between Jadir and Eliya with a little misunderstanding. Will love grow between the soft, citified Jadir and jungle survivor Eliya? That’s entirely up to YOU. Join in the Chain Writing Game and add your own 100-word contribution to the story. It’s unlimited entries (we go to 30 total) and you only have to wait until three others go before you post after your first.

Hope you enjoy.

Happy Reading and Writing!

J. Milburn

February 1, 2014

CWG 6: The Wall – Ep. 3

Jadir smacked into the wall with thud and rebounded backwards, landing on his ass with head pounding. “Ladder,” he muttered.

He stumbled over to a shed and borrowed a ladder. His weaving steps brought him back to the wall and he placed his way over down with exaggerated care. “That’s better,” he slurred.

He climbed the ladder to the top and looked out at the forbidding forest. The twisted branches and deep shadows shook his liquid courage, and he turned to climb back down. Alcohol, being the Great Unbalancer, caused him to lose focus and he tumbled down outside safety.

Chain Writing game

 

Welcome to week 6 of Chain Writing Game! This week we have a mystery/adventure that will unfold in 100-word chunks. Who are the authors? You are! Kerrie Salsac gives us a short piece of fiction to start, then anyone who wishes can add on and help bring the story to life. There are now unlimited entries, but you still have to wait for three others to post after your first entry before going again.

Join in the fun. We go until the challenge closes or there are 30 entries. Then Kerrie wraps it all up in a nice bow (pdf or ebook form) for easy perusal.

Hope you enjoy.

Happy Reading and Writing!

J. Milburn

January 31, 2014

Flash! Friday Vol. 2-8: Promise Kept

Car wreck, ca 1920. Public domain photo.

Car wreck, ca 1920. Public domain photo.

Josephine puttered through the door of her daughter’s house, widow’s black draped on frail shoulders tired of sorrow and empty platitudes. Her grand-kids played in blissful silence. She knew their grandfather sat in their minds as a stranger’s face, rarely seen and not to be mourned by innocence.

The phone rang and rang. She let it go in her desire to evade the well-meaning well-wishers that plagued her.

“Ma! Could you get that, please?” her daughter, Kelly, shouted.

She sighed and picked up the old-fashioned corded phone. “Hello?”

“Joey? It’s me. There was an accident, but I’m all right. I’ll see you soon, love.”

She gasped and dropped the phone. Kelly ran in at the clatter to see what happened. “Ma?”

Josephine looked at her with tears in eyes. “He always told me he’d let me know he was okay if anything happened.”

She buried her face in her daughter’s shoulder. “Whatever his faults, he kept his promises. Remember that.”

Word Count: 160

For Flash! Friday – Vol. 2 – 8. The prompt this week is the photo above. There is an extra element, called the Dragon’s Bidding, that needs to be incorporated into the story. This week’s Bidding:

PhoneCall

Rules of the challenge:

* Word limit: 150 word story (10-word leeway) based on the photo prompt.

* How: Post your story here in the comments. Include your word count (140 – 160 words, exclusive of title) and Twitter handle if you’ve got one. If you’re new, don’t forget to check the contest guidelines.

* Deadline: 11:59pm ET tonight (check the world clock if you need to; Flash! Friday is on Washington, DC time)

* Winners: will post Sunday. 

* Prize: The Flash! Friday e-dragon e-badge for your blog/wall, your own winner’s page here at FF, a 60-second interview next Wednesday, and your name flame-written on the Dragon Wall of Fame for posterity. 

***Dragon’s Bidding (required element to incorporate somewhere in your story; does not need to be the exact word unless that is specified).

Hope you enjoy.

Happy Reading and Writing!

J. Milburn