100WW

The Stranger Within – 100 Word Wednesday Week

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 17 Comments

Title: The Stranger Within
Source:  100 Word Wednesday: Week 140
Word count: 100 words
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Image by Bikurgurl

Tilly stood at the pool’s edge, acutely aware that she didn’t belong there. The rippling water displayed a distorted image of a familiar stranger in a wedding gown. She searched the flowing reflection, ever-changing it offered multiple perspectives.

Beyond the pool deck, they had erected a white tent where everyone waited. Suspended, her future felt eager for her arrival. But she lingered here, contemplating the divergence, she felt the despair heavy in her heart.

The blacktopped parking lot lay behind her, a seductive alternative offering her another way.

Black and white had never been so grey. Breathing deeply, she jumped.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

https://ko-fi.com/johawkthewriter#

The Price of Survival – 100 Word Wednesday

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 6 Comments

Title: The Price of Survival
Source:  100 Word Wednesday: Week 139
Word count: 100 words

Image by Cyranny

It wasn’t glamorous, but desperate humans took any job to help pay for survival. Trey learned early when the day boss paid cash, he wasn’t paying you to ask questions. Today’s assignment promised a hefty bonus upon successful completion of eight hours spent sitting in a black panel van. His instructions were to call to report any changes.

Trey watched a deserted alleyway, struggling to stay awake. A low-frequency hum made him twist in his seat as he tried to locate the source. It grew louder and shook the truck. Too late, he realized the alien abduction stories were true.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

https://ko-fi.com/johawkthewriter#

No Respect – 100 Word Wednesday

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 3 Comments

Title: No Respect
Source:  100 Word Wednesday: Week 138
Word count: 100 words

Image by Cyranny

It’s true what they say. You can never go home again was a statement I had heard my entire life. I didn’t understand until today.

Mom said we needed to pay our respects, honor the hard work, the sacrifices, and the memories. So, the parade of cars turned left on Anderson and filed past the French Bistro. It held no resemblance to the place I remembered. Vulgar graffiti accentuated fading paint. Weeds choked the carryout window.

There was no honor, no respect for a lifetime’s sacrifices. Memories had long since fled. The only remaining task was to bury the dead.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

https://ko-fi.com/johawkthewriter#

Fountain of Youth – 100 Word Wednesday

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 14 Comments

Title: Fountain of Youth
Source:  100 Word Wednesday: Week 137
Word count: 100 words

Image by Cyranny

Christopher was an ordinary boy who lived in an otherwise ordinary neighborhood. Like most little boys he loved playing outdoors and discovering secret gardens, talking animals, and harrowing adventures. His mother indulged his interests and read him bedtime stories. One storybook developed the telltale signs of the favored status, but that story couldn’t contain his imagination. He created his own fantastical stories about a boy named Chris and his giant tortoise named Bulldozer.

Nestled into his otherwise unremarkable neighborhood, sat a fountain. It drew the curious who always read the plaque. To my darling Christopher, who never outgrew his dreams.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

https://ko-fi.com/johawkthewriter#

Accidental Friends – 100 Word Wednesday

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 15 Comments

Title: Accidental Friends
Source:  100 Word Wednesday: Week 136
Word count: 100 words

Image by Cyranny

It materialized, and I had missed her. Again. I said ‘her’ although it could be a man. My gut confirmed it was her. Why did she torment me? Why did I obsess?

Her story grew in my mind. With the consistency of each sunrise, her bicycle arrived, parked at my door by one o’clock and by three it was gone. She was meeting her lover; she was a spy stalking her mark. She was my aberration, my ghost, my diversion.

Then her bicycle wasn’t there. Weeks passed. I feared she wouldn’t return. Months later, I cried for my lost friend.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

https://ko-fi.com/johawkthewriter#

Going Home – 100 Word Wednesday

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 8 Comments

Title: Going Home
Source:  100 Word Wednesday: Week 135
Word count: 100 words

Image by Cyranny

“Be yourself,” Maeve said then paused. “Try to look normal.”

Colton raised an eyebrow.

“Maeve, I’m Cerulean.”

“You’re the only one who can open the gateway.”

Colton had agreed and now he waited, tapping his foot. Hoping he looked inconspicuous, he checked his chronoscope. The window was closing, and their next chance was decades from now. Colton couldn’t stay, but he didn’t want to leave them.

Finally, he saw Maeve and the others running toward him. He engaged the portal, and it whirled to life. Only seconds remained. He stepped through the portal and prayed they all made it home.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

https://ko-fi.com/johawkthewriter#

The Business of Flying – 100 Word Wednesday

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 15 Comments

Title: The Business of Flying
Source:  100 Word Wednesday: Week 134
Word count: 100 words

Image by Bikurgurl

They drift, while I watch with envy. Most times I pilot, but today I lead the chase team, earthbound. Owning the business, I have a job I love. Then there are these days.

Two ground crew personnel called in sick. Airborne, the expedition holds its own excitement. With paying customers, the events, food, and photos at the landing site are more important than the ride.  When the balloons reconnect with the earth, the focus becomes extending the experience, helping them re-live their adventure and develop the stories they will tell their friends.

Still, I wish I was among the clouds.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

https://ko-fi.com/johawkthewriter#

Wiser Now – 100 Word Wednesday

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 5 Comments

Title: Wiser Now
Source:  100 Word Wednesday: Week 133
Word count: 100 words

Image by Bikurgurl

They always ask how it began. Three guys with garage band mania, copying guitar licks and belting it out until the chords cracked. Arms locked, we were in it together, working for our break.

Running on the edge of the world, we chased empty promises of happiness. Seduced by the money, and rock n roll fame, they said the fabric that binds, was the gag on our dreams. It broke our bond.

Every man for himself, the road got tough, an F’ed up free for all.

Ditching superficial words, daring to swim in deep water, we found the true reward.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Vagabond Shoes – 100 Word Wednesday

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 6 Comments

Title: Vagabond Shoes
Source:  100 Word Wednesday: Week 126
Word count: 100 words

Image by Spencer Davis

Nina paced, flitting from the window to the deck. A massive cruise ship slid across the water and Nina sighed. Cannes was diverting, Marco was a fabulous host, and the season was ending.

“Time for a new beginning,” she said.

An hour later, her suitcase rolling behind her, as she checked her phone for directions to the audition. Seventeen days to Port Canaveral promised stops in Barcelona, Lisbon, Ponte something, and her next adventure.

In exchange for four hours of Vegas-style dancing in the Stardust Theater, they offered crew’s quarters and pocket change. Nina threw her hat into the ring.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Solid Footing – 100 Word Wednesday

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 14 Comments

Title: Solid Footing
Source:  100 Word Wednesday: Week 132
Word count: 100 words

Image by Bikurgurl

Mom hated his squeaky saxophone and forbid him from practicing in the house. Banished, he took his show on the road and in the backyard, he pinned sheet music to the clothesline, riffing on bird calls he had a ball.

His teachers took notice, pressured him to perform, propelled him toward stardom and burnout.

Meeting a sax player in a no-name band, and his face betrayed his sorrow for the man.

“Don’t pity me. I love my life and my music. It’s a secret too few learn.”

He realizing he longed to return to his beginnings to rediscover his joy.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer