Choosing Action – 3 Line Tales

October 3, 2019October 3, 2019 / JoHawkTheWriter / 3 Comments

From Sonya’s 3LineTales at Only100Words.
You can find the original prompt here. Thank you, Sonya

three line tales, week 192: a rainbow over a plaza Photo by Sara Riaño via Unsplash

Rosie heard the sayings, listened to the famous, sappy song, and she believed the pot of gold existed at the rainbow’s end.

It wasn’t a secret, no one contested the facts, but when a rainbow appeared, they stood motionless, staring, stuck with wonder, afraid to act.

The minute the colors splashed across the sky, Rosie chose an end and ran headlong towards her goal.

______________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Hollow Victory – Friday Fictioneers

October 3, 2019 / JoHawkTheWriter / 29 Comments

Title: Hollow Victory
Source: Friday Fictioneers sponsored by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple
Word count: 100 words

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

Ginny balanced the Louisville Slugger against her leg and sighed, realizing she had earned her fifteen minutes of fame. Her friends would slap her back. They would call her the bomb.

She had grown tired of hanging her head, ducking questions and running scared. The trash talk time had ended, and the time for action had arrived. She stepped up to the plate, dug in, and swung for the fences.

The police, so slow to protect her, were quick to arrest her, but her file proved it was self-defense. No matter what they said, it didn’t feel like a victory.

________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

An Event – FFfPP

October 1, 2019 / JoHawkTheWriter / 3 Comments

Title: An Event
Source: FLASH FICTION FOR THE PURPOSEFUL PRACTITIONER- 2017 WEEK #39
Word count: 200 words

https://morguefile.com/creative/GaborfromHungary/41/all _DSC9724

Rachel checked the time. She was sure their text had said eleven, but the sidewalk café was deserted. Her compulsion ensured she was always early. But she expected someone would be here, setting up maybe? There were no life signs.

She sighed, digging her phone from her purse, and squinted at the screen. It was blank. She glanced around the empty street and looked skyward. She shifted, positioning her body to shield the sun’s glare. No bars. No connections, and when she tried to access her texts, nothing displayed.

Her gut twisted, but she pushed it aside, refusing to acknowledge it. She sat in a chair, resigned to waiting. They would arrive soon. The minutes ticked, the wind blew, and clouds scudded across the sky. Shivering, she waited for the shadow to pass.

“How are you alive?” A respirator’s hiss obscured a man’s voice. The black-uniformed figure emerged from the dark craft hovering behind him.

“I’m waiting for my friends,” Rachel’s heart pounded in her chest.

“They’re not coming.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Come with me.”

“Why? What’s happened?”

“There’s been an event. No one survived.”

“But, I’m here.”

“That’s why you must come with me,” he said, extending his hand.

__________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The Devil’s Playground – #MenageMonday

October 1, 2019September 30, 2019 / JoHawkTheWriter / 3 Comments

Source: Dreamstime

Friday night regulars, they met to drink, play cards and see how much of each other’s payday they could steal.

“Does it help?” Malachi asked flipping a card toward Tyrone.

Tyrone’s gnarled finger directed it to rest on top of his other cards. He sighed.

“Naw man. Ain’t nothing helpin my luck, tonight,” he pushed back his chair and took the last drag off his cigarette as it burned into the filter.

“Hey, you leavin?”

Tyrone stubbed out the butt and fished a handful of coins from his pocket.

“Reckon I gots me enough to git home.”

“Just me and you, Reggie,” Malachi said as he gathered the deck.

Smoke billowed around Reggie’s head, but he remained silent.

Tyrone and Willie watched the hand play out. Willie ordered another drink, and Tyrone sauntered to the wrought iron exit. Outside, the express pulled away. He considered making it stop. As he sat in darkness, it began to rain, and the gutter became a rushing river. Wind howled and lightening flashed in the sky.

“Brother looks like misery done shit on your parade.” A red Cadillac rolled up on the curb.

“Ain’t as bad as all that,” Tyrone said.

Reggie leaned across the Cadillac’s seat.

“Hey, O Mighty Prince of Darkness. H’bout you hop in and we’ll truck your ass home where it belongs? All Hell’s bustin lose, and your subjects be needin your dark hand.”

Tyrone puffed on another glowing cigarette.

“Like I was sayin, ain’t as bad as all that.”

__________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Remembering My Forgotten Man – Flash Fiction Challenge

September 29, 2019 / JoHawkTheWriter / 17 Comments

Title: Remembering My Forgotten Man
Source: Flash Fiction Challenge
Prompt: Write a story about someone unremembered.
Word count: 99 words

old photos in brown wooden chest Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash

The best pieces were auctioned first. The hammer fell, the winning bidders paid, and scurried home clutching their new, old treasures. I stayed to the bitter end, bidding on lots no one else wanted. My prizes cost me a dollar, and the auctioneer tossed in other unsold items.

At home, I uncovered an antique trove. Pictures of a long-forgotten gentleman. My finger outlined his sepia-toned face, and I wondered about his life. Was he a good man? A brute? A devoted son? A cruel father? Whatever happened, the photos chronicled his lost legacy, unremembered, in my bargain auction finds.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The Price of Survival – 100 Word Wednesday

September 29, 2019 / 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.

__________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Hitting Restart – 3 Line Tales

September 28, 2019 / JoHawkTheWriter / 3 Comments

From Sonya’s 3LineTales at Only100Words.
You can find the original prompt here. Thank you, Sonya

four boys playing football in a lush green meadow photo by Robert Collins via Unsplash

Oppressed by smoke-filled lounges, pressured by incessant demands, and depressed by his dismal gray life, he sings of halcyon days when opportunities lay before him.

He clutches a faded photo, reliving wrong turns, what could have been, and love lost along the way.

After a lifetime spent running away, he croons, promising with the new dawn, a reborn man will stand tall to honor his legacy.

______________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Less Than Expected – Weekend Writing Prompt

September 28, 2019 / JoHawkTheWriter / 9 Comments

Title: Less Than Expected
Source: Weekend Writing Prompt #125 – Ultimatum
Objective: Write a poem or piece of prose in exactly 62 words

Photo by Luigi Boccardo on Unsplash

Teresa lived in happiness, cultivated friends and fun until her father issued his ultimatum.

Straighten up, fly right, life is a serious business, he said. Walk the narrow path, focus on your goals, success lies in reaching your destination.

She complied, eliminating distractions until she sat alone, heartbroken in her hollow golden paradise and wept for the life, she might have known.

__________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Broken Promises – Thursday Threads

September 27, 2019September 27, 2019 / JoHawkTheWriter / 5 Comments

Photo by Greta Farnedi on Unsplash

Jorden felt a sweet breeze touch his body. It was a sharp contrast to the stale, putrid stench inside their cell. He pushed against the big oil drum until it keeled over on its oxidized rim and he rolled it away. It took him several minutes to clear the towering barrels stacked three high next to what he had assumed was a wall. With them gone, a weathered, rusty metal-clad doorway greeted him. Between the gaping fissures around the door handle, glimpses of freedom leaked into the darkness.

He gritted his teeth and strode toward the glad rag girl cowering in the corner.

“I thought you said there was no way out?” Jorden paused his fists clenching and unclenching as he waited.

Sidera slumped, hanging her head she concentrated on the toe of her shoe as she traced patterns in the dirt.

“They leave and never return.”

“What? No waiting list for this paradise?” Jorden smirked, then grimaced as slime oozed down the walls trickling into the cracked foundation where everything disappeared.

“Wait. There have been others? Where are the keys?”

Sidera hands flew to her neck, and she dropped, crouching close to the ground. Jorden looped a finger under the chain and pulled them free.

“You ready to go?” he asked extending his hand to her.

With tears streaming down her face she looked up at him.

“The gatekeeper cannot escape unless someone comes for her.”

“I’ll come back to get you. I promise.”

“They never keep their promises.”

__________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

A Rare Find – Friday Fictioneers

September 26, 2019September 25, 2019 / JoHawkTheWriter / 37 Comments

Title: A Rare Find
Source: Friday Fictioneers sponsored by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple
Word count: 100 words

They labeled the reports fake news, a myth concocted to defraud the susceptible. Rumors persisted and experts swore to the claim’s veracity. Video evidence showed the transformation of an ancient chrysalis discovered in the museum’s basement.

“Roman,” some proclaimed.

“Greek,” cried others.

“Carbon dating says it’s much older.”

The curious stood in the line determined to see the beast before their eyes and discern the truth.

His pure white coat glimmered, crowned by a sparkling mane and golden hooves. The horse’s most notable features were his massive wings.

Pegasus, they said had returned from the heavens to save the world.

________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer