Portfolio including poetry and flash fiction from micro fiction to short stories and a bit of photography thrown in for good measure.
Mother Nature and Father Time had a Sun. They also wanted a daughter. They built mountains of sand and rock, planted forests and flowers, and watered them with rain. Lakes and ponds formed in the footprints left behind. They called her Earth.
– Written for YeahWrite.me Weekly Writing Challenge #262 Question Prompt “Who cares?” WC 42
They think they hear his voice tonight.
“Who cares!?” She yells, and slams the door.
I care.
“Who cares?” He says, and leaves once more.
I care.
She screams into a pillow. He slams his hand on the steering wheel.
I’m scared.
These days anger is all they seem to feel.
It’s not fair.
Who cares? He thinks as he stares up the stairs and wonders why they fight.
Do they care that he used to cry himself to sleep at night?
They think he’s gone, but he’s still here, even though it’s been a year.
They think they hear his voice tonight.
He heads for the door. She turns on the light.
They meet on the porch to make things right.
“I care,” she cries. “I care,” he replies.
“I care.” They hear, though barely more than a sigh.
– Written for YeahWrite.me Weekly Fiction|Poetry Writing Challenge 262 Question Prompt “Who cares?” WC 133
They gave up on discovering the origin of this “sign,” and locked him away.
“Give me a sign!” He threw his arms out wide, with palms up.
The sun radiated through the stained-glass window etching a symbol into his forehead.
He said it was God. Others thought it was self-inflicted. The idea of extraterrestrials revolved in conspiracy circles.
Similar symbols in ancient hieroglyphics indicated a possible Egyptian association.
They gave up on discovering the origin of this “sign,” and locked him away.
An underground movement calling themselves Cosignos, with inside help, freed him from the government facility attempting to keep him from spreading word of his miracle.
This movement became a cult of followers who tattooed the symbol on their foreheads and built a community preparing for End Times.
Authorities searched, but he was well hidden by believers.
Many thought he was mad, until the day his son was born, the symbol already visible on his small innocent head, and the first zombie walked.
– Written for Ad Hoc Fiction weekly contest. Word Prompt was “sign.” WC 150
Photo from StockPhotosforFree.
I hurried up the stairs to meet my destiny.
The boat pulled away from the shore. I squeezed my eyes shut and slowed my breathing to stay as quiet as possible.
I heard footsteps and commotion on deck.
I made myself as small as I could in the damp corner behind some nets and crates. No one could know I was stowed away. It was a miracle I made it this far. I paid every penny I had scavenged for assistance, and now it was up to me.
I was afraid of what lie ahead but more so of what I was leaving behind. My family was killed when pirates raided our village. All I could do for them in this moment was to survive.
I sensed it was dusk and knew the time was near.
I had only heard legends, and I hoped they were true; a pirate who pirated pirates, and gave back to the destitute victims of their invasions. To avenge my family, I would fight back and help others in need.
They would strike at sunset, so I mentally prepared myself and waited, ready. I was told he would be expecting me.
I heard shouting and canon fire as they arrived. The panicked crew did their best to fend him off, but it was to no avail. I heard the men board.
I hurried up the stairs to meet my destiny.
I saw him standing tall and proud, instructing his men to seize the cargo and bring the crew into compliance.
“You boy!” He said when he saw me. “Step forward.”
I moved toward him, anxious, in awe.
“Yes sir, Captain, sir,” I said and quickly knelt before him. “I pledge my life in allegiance to you sir, Captain Robin Hook of the Jolly Rancher. I pledge to serve and obey your commands and do good publicly and in secret as you so decree.” I finished and peeked up at him.
He laughed a hearty laugh and commanded that I stand and face him.
“Well, men, it looks like we have a new deckhand.” He said as he slapped my back. Then he put me to work.
I knew my family would have been proud.
– Written for The Angry Hourglass: Flash Frenzy Round 103 Photo Prompt. WC 360
Photo by Ashwin Rao.
“Don’t forget to cut the crust off the bread.”
“Seriously? You expect me to go in there?” Sarah asked. “Your mother hates me!”
“No, she doesn’t.” He assured her. “She is just a bit particular about things.”
Sarah frowned, feeling defeated.
“She asked for you. Under the circumstances, you should consider obliging her,” John said. “Don’t forget to cut the crust off the bread.” He reminded her.
“Okay,” she mumbled in surrender. She felt bad about his mother’s poor health, even if she despised her.
Sarah cut the edges off her mother-in-law’s watercress, goat cheese sandwich and made hot tea as she requested with one sugar, a dash of milk, and a cinnamon stick.
Her anxiety grew.
While preparing the meal, she imagined Jane, a fire-breathing dragon incinerating her. She supposed Jane wasn’t that bad, they just never got along. She was competition for John’s attention, and Sarah was never good enough.
Sarah carried a tray upstairs.
She stood outside the door listening for her to stir, envisioning Jane’s wrinkled face melting to reveal a green, wart-covered scowl that turned into a toothless grin. What was funny, Sarah thought? She felt herself shrinking to the size of a bug. Jane swatted her tiny form.
Sarah shook her head clearing the nonsense, sighed and opened the door.
Jane was awake, waiting.
“Hello.” She croaked.
“I have your lunch,” Sarah said.
“Thank you. May we talk?” Jane asked.
Sarah was ashamed of her earlier imaginings. “Sure.”
Jane spoke with breathy pauses. “We’ve had our differences. I know my John loves you, and you love him. My time is soon. It will be difficult. I am glad he has someone strong for support.”
Sarah’s guilt was heavy.
Jane continued, “Thank you.”
“I will be here for him,” Sarah promised.
Jane raised a hand and motioned her away. This time, Sarah wasn’t offended.
– Written for Cracked Flash: Year 1, Week 37, First sentence prompt was “Seriously? You expect me to go in there?” WC 300. Photo from Wikipedia.
After Rose’s untimely death, most days were spent in his workshop, while the rest of their Victorian country home went to ruin.
He pulled the decorative fabric from his creation, folded it and placed it on a nearby chair.
James then took a chain and key from around his neck. He inserted it into the keyhole turning it over several times. He replaced the chain safely tucked in his shirt.
For a moment, he listened to the flesh heart encased in her glass chest.
He flipped the toggle on her neck and smiled as the clockwork began to rotate. Her mechanical eyes flung open allowing him to see endless possibilities.
– Written for Microcosms (16). Prompts were Millionaire/England/Steampunk. WC 110
Photo from Wikimedia Commons.
He slipped from the shadows undetected and pulled the wire taut around her neck.
She began to struggle but he was very strong, and he knew that soon she would pass out. He had done this many times before and enjoyed the thrill of it even if it was short-lived.
The stranger lurking in the shadows caught her off guard. As soon as she realized what was happening, she steadied her breathing and gathered her strength. She focused, quickly recalling her training.
She loosened her grip on his hands, and he felt her weight drop. He assumed that she was finished.
She reached for his right arm and leaned into an anchored crouch, pulling him forward over her shoulder. He hit the concrete with a grunt.
She pulled her sidearm and shot him in the leg. “You are under arrest!” She shouted over his moaning as she flashed her badge.
– Written for Ad Hoc Fiction weekly contest. Word Prompt was “wire.” WC 150
Photo from Pixabay.
Leara writes and other creative things... 