Flash Fiction Challenge

Rabbit Moon – Flash Fiction Challenge

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 11 Comments

Title: Rabbit Moon
Source:  Flash Fiction Challenge
Prompt: Write a story about a rabbit on the roof.
Word count:  99 words

white and brown rabbit on grey fence

Photo by Andreas Schantl on Unsplash

On full moon nights, Vivian lit candles, rained rice onto the altar cloth, and prayed to the moon goddess. She had never forsaken Vivian. Gossamer clouds slid like silk across the sky, obscuring the moon’s rabbit image. Tonight, her entire heart filled her plea, as she begged for her townsfolk’s safety.

Cinnabun whispered to his mistress. She nodded. Armed with life’s elixir, Cinnabon descended to earth. Hopping to every village rooftop, he spread the remedy to each family.

At dawn, Vivian spied Cinnabun perched atop her garden fence. He gave her a wink, before the goddess spirited him home.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

 

Mommy Time – Flash Fiction Challenge

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 16 Comments

Title: Mommy Time
Source:  Flash Fiction Challenge
Prompt: Write a story that includes tapping.
Word count:  99 words

white bathtub filled with water

Photo by Curology on Unsplash

Steam rose from Audrey’s 1950s “First Lady Pink” bathtub as she shut the door, and locked out her hectic 21st Century life. Past midnight, she was long overdue to relax, unwind, and unplug. She twisted the knobs, stopping the flow of water from the faucet and tested the temperature with her toe. Just right.

She sank into the tub and sensed stress leaching from her tense muscles. The second she closed her eyes, she heard a soft tapping. Wide-eyed, her body stiffened.

“Mommy, I can’t sleep,” a muffled voice called.

Audrey’s shoulder slumped, and she regretfully pulled the plug.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

 

Ode to Clarice – Flash Fiction Challenge

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 19 Comments

Title: Ode to Clarice
Source:  Flash Fiction Challenge
Prompt: Write a story about Clarice.
Word count:  99 words

grayscale photography of woman sitting on chair

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Her obituary shocked me. The journalist revealed a woman I had never known. Who was this glamorous enchantress, this caster of spells and literary legend?

I caught her scribbling in her notebook either early in the morning, or sometimes late at night. She would look at me, smile, unceremoniously fold her pen within the pages, and conceal her secrets. By day she was nothing more than a middle-class wife and mother.

I discovered what she had shared with the world, unbeknownst to me. Ghost-haunted words portrayed silent and silenced women. I wept for Clarice. And I wept for me.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Rediscovering Freedom – Flash Fiction Challenge

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 11 Comments

Title: Rediscovering Freedom
Source: Flash Fiction Challenge
Prompt: Write a story that includes the open road.
Word count: 99 words

forest covered in snow

Photo by Jonathon Young on Unsplash

In our family cubicle, Grandfather told stories of his time before The Glitch.

Hushed whispers painted an unbelievable alien world. He spoke of blue skies, green grass, tall trees, and wild animals who roamed across continents. He said nature’s wind caressed his skin like a lover’s exhaled breath. When he closed his eyes, my favorite recitations began. His calmness and joy infected us, and his hypnotic voice recounted tales of the open road.

They labeled his accounts as mere rantings from a senile old man, but I believed.

In his name, we escaped and became the Open Road Warriors.
_________________________________________
Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer

Things We Do for Love – Flash Fiction Challenge

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 18 Comments

Title: Things We Do for Love
Source:  Flash Fiction Challenge
Prompt: Write a story to the theme “a dog in the daisies.”
Word count:  99 words

short-coated white and black puppy lying on green and purple flower field

Photo by Ian Wetherill on Unsplash

Abra was true to her name – mother of many. I had qualms about breeding her, but since she was the county’s best herder, every farmer wanted one of her pups.

She whelped ten, five males and five females. I named the girls after flowers and the boys after trees. Everyone asked about them. When would they be weaned? How much did I want for them?

I auctioned nine and they passed on the runt, Daisy. I gleefully keep her. Daisy resembled her mother, and she stole my heart. And like her mother, she became the county’s best herder.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Vestiges of Forgotten Purpose – Flash Fiction Challenge

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 8 Comments

Title: Vestiges of Forgotten Purpose
Source:  Flash Fiction Challenge
Prompt: Write a story about a postal carrier in an extreme situation.
Word count:  99 words

white propane tank near concrete stairs

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Tristao shifted the heavy pack, gnarled fingers burrowed under the frayed strap as he eased the pressure on his stooped shoulder.

Once, he bounded through town, nimbly negotiating steep steps, winding ascents, and narrow passageways like the goats that climbed the mountain protecting his birth city. The residents greeted him, eager for the letters he carried. He was their noble messenger, their link to far-flung family and friends. They shared the latest gossip and a welcome snack.

Now he met only faceless receptacles. He fed blank gaping mouths, with empty messages no one wanted. Tomorrow, Gaspar collected the garbage.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Observations from a Park Bench – Flash Fiction Challenge

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 8 Comments

Title: Observations from a Park Bench
Source:  Flash Fiction Challenge
Prompt: Write a story about a park bench.
Word count:  99 words

shallow focus photo of toddler walking near river

Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash

The clock in Trellech announced his daily passage. At seven-thirty he traveled into town, his feet dragging him forward, his pack dwarfing his tiny frame. Every afternoon at precisely two-thirty, lighter steps whisked him home.

Time slipped into years. As he grew into his backpack, it was replaced by a one larger and heavier than the last. His shoulders bent beneath the staggering weight, but he endured his regimen and never faltered.

His stamina increased, his burden kept pace, and I marveled at his quiet suffering.

One fateful day he stopped, dropped his albatross, and dared to fly free.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Defying Omens – Flash Fiction Challenge – Rodeo #3

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 7 Comments

Title: Defying Omens
Source:  Flash Fiction Challenge
Prompt: Write a story in three acts.
Word count:  99 words

white ship painting

Photo by Filip Mroz on Unsplash

Captain Graclynn Silver took the helm, barking orders for the crew to set sail. Doubt’s icy tendrils wheedled into her brain, clutching at her heart as the foghorn blew. Filmy sheets glazed the water’s surface, fusing with the sky to create a veil of uncertainty that did not bode well for their journey.

“Omens be dammed,” she shouted as she sought her bearings, and the ship crunched forward in search of open seas.

She tacked to starboard, advancing slowly, allowing history to drown in their dissipating wake. The fog lifted. Freed from fear, the sun promised smooth sailing ahead.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Pirate’s Revenge – Flash Fiction Challenge – Rodeo #2

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 11 Comments

Title: Pirate’s Revenge
Source:  Flash Fiction Challenge
Prompt: Write a mashup.
Word count:  99 words

white and brown ship in ocean water under cloudy sky during daytime

Photo by Nikolay Vorobyev on Unsplash

The sloop bucked and rolled, as her new commander navigated the cumulonimbus clouds thundering along the squall line. They sailed in pursuit of the notorious Nose Bender, the pirate who had slain their beloved captain and stole their hard-won booty.

The Heartbreak Kid, trained for pirate antics, seized the helm and dared to spin the wheel of fortune. He took command, shouted orders, and tamed the Bodacious Mermaid. His actions earned the crew’s respect. They knew they played a deadly game. Facing sudden death, vowing revenge, they swore to fight in the bonus round, until the losing horns sounded.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

High Seas Adventure – Flash Fiction Challenge – Rodeo #1

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 11 Comments

Title: High Seas Adventure
Source:  Flash Fiction Challenge 2019 Rodeo
Prompt: Write a modern tall tale.
Word count:  99 words

huge wave at daytime

Photo by Torsten Dederichs on Unsplash

“The ship’s bow rose as we climbed the Mount Everest size wave. We dangled atop the precipice while all around, rolling water raged.

Gray storm clouds billowed overhead, dousing the deck with bucket loads of rainwater as our vessel groaned. Sensing her fate, she threatened to crack, and we didn’t dare to breathe.

Over the edge, I glimpsed a multitude of creatures staring at me, before we tipped, sliding into the abyss. A deluge rushed into the void and collided with the rushing flood, pelting spray engulfed us.”

“Daddy, it was only a puddle.”

“A puddle to you, maybe.”

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer