As he fumbled to open the squeaky back door, he cursed himself for not having used WD-40. And there she was, just staring at him, with her revolver at the ready.
“Thank God,” she said. “I thought you were a burglar.”
He smiled in relief as she pulled the trigger.
Fred Vogel is working on a collection of short stories as well as a third collection of poetry. He plays bad guitar but sings like a bird. He lives in the Pacific Northwest.
I didn’t get the warmest of welcomes when I started at the new branch. In fact, it was downright chilly!
Months passed before I discovered that Frank, my best work buddy and inveterate office joker, had phoned ahead to warn my new colleagues about my kleptomania and willful fire-raising tendencies.
Bill lives in Aberdeen, Scotland. He once flew in a UFO but was sworn to secrecy by the Men in Black.
There are many ways to die on stage, but I never expected this.
Sleight of hand at the props table, the audience blissfully unaware. As the cool blade pierced my skin, a searing pain forced me to my knees.
The knife had been switched. My co-star finally had her revenge.
Anna is a performer and writer from Nottingham, England. Follow her creative journey on Twitter.
The story of the week for November 28 to December 2 is…
My Fortune by David Rae
I’m always impressed when a writer can pack this much complexity into a 50-word story. David made excellent use of symbolism and simile and nursed tons of meaning out of every word.
Granma’s room; always dark. Silence, stillness, nothing touched.
Nine years old, the oldest, not the favourite.
Is Granma alright? Maybe tea?
Two cups of bitter, peaty liquid; no milk, no sugar.
“Drink it.”
The leaves drift into symbols.
She frowns.
“What do you see?”
“Nothing.”
The word stains like nicotine.
David Rae currently works with numbers, but prefers working with words.
Oh God, it’s done! The adoption is finally complete!
There she sits, a cute seven year old, her face filled with hope and questions.
Oh God, what have I done? Can I really provide the loving, forever family home she deserves?
What do I know about raising Jack Russell Terriers?
John Keeley is the new guardian of seven year old Storm, and is wondering about the trust our pets put in us.
I look through the window and se two children playing catch.
I look down at my feet and pet my orange cat. “Which reality do we visit today?”
The cat meows.
“I agree.”
I strike a few buttons on the keyboard. Seconds later, our window is full of bright lights.
Larry Sells wrote this story.
We wander, hand in hand, threading our way through the long grass. Watched by dead eyes.
Among the mossy tombstones, shadows flit like ravens. You tug at my hand, eager to be free.
A bedraggled child appears, beckoning, enticing you.
It is time to let you go. My soul mate.
Alyson is an ex-teacher living in the UK who writes noirish flash fiction and spooky tales. Her work has been published in several online magazines and anthologies. She is a confirmed chocoholic who loves old movies, art, her cats, and her son, but she is still useless at maths. See more at alysonfayewordpress.wordpress.com.
Recently, 50WS was honoured by Feedspot as one of the world’s Top 20 Short Story Blogs.
I think that’s pretty cool, and it’s all thanks to the wonderful writers who send in their work each month, and the readers who keep coming back to enjoy the stories and leave comments.
Here’s to all of you!
I fell for him like autumn leaves.
Seasons change from green to gold.
and
I am
deeply,
madly,
in
love
My hands shake and my heart beats fast.
He’s the kinetic energy pulling me in and nothing draws me away.
Our worlds collide. I am his and he is mine.
Danielle deems herself witty and enchanting most days. Rumors has it this young women’s charm is genuine and true. She loves rainy days in bed and productive days in the sun. Danielle lives and works for joy and not for the money. She writes to awaken her soul and to avoid unpleasant tasks and people.