Tag Archive for: drabble

The Wackiest Star Ship in the Space Force

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by John H. Dromey

 

A doorbell rang. A door creaked open. A cloaked figure stood on the porch.

“Who’re you?”

The apparition answered, “A ghost from your childhood past. When you pushed me into the deep end, you knew I couldn’t swim.”

“Larry?”

“Yep. Trick or treat.”

“Scram! You’re not real.”

“Are you sure, Spaceman? I have lots of tricks up my sleeve.” The hand and wrist bones of a skeleton emerged. “See? Lots of room.”

The astronaut clutched his chest.

The hologram figure faded.

The pranksters on Earth had turned off the switch. “Curses! Our Holo-ween trick backfired. We scared him to death.”

 

John H. Dromey

John H. Dromey was born in northeast Missouri, USA. In addition to contributing to the Dark Drabbles series of anthologies from Black Hare Press, he’s had short fiction published in 50-Word Stories (Tim Sevenhuysen’s website), Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Stupefying Stories Showcase, Thriller Magazine, Unfit Magazine, and elsewhere.

 

Anniversary of the Mask Murders

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by Joshua D. Taylor

 

Chris and Sara stared at the abandoned and dilapidated monster mask factory.  The windows were shattered and forgotten police tape flapped in the chilly October breeze.

“I can’t believe twenty-three people were stabbed to death here last Halloween,” Chris said.

“I know, and that masked maniac is still out there somewhere.  Just waiting.”

“The police think it’s someone from town.  It could be someone we know.”

“Maybe.  You should have seen this place, all over covered in blood.”

“What do you mean?  You weren’t there.”

“Wasn’t I?” Sara asked, plunging a knife into Chris’s throat then pulling on her mask.

 

Joshua D. Taylor

Joshua D. Taylor is an author from Southeastern Pennsylvania who never stopped playing make-believe.  He lives with his wife and a one-eared cat. He loves to mix-n-match things from different genres and story elements to achieve a madcap hodgepodge of the truly unexpected.

www.facebook.com/authorjoshuadtaylor  

 

A Family Hallowe’en

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by Connie R. Watson

 

With a final slice, Jace completed his carving. He wiped the blood off his knife and stepped back.

Dad looked really cool. The lit candle inside his hollow head cast an eerie light through his vacant eye sockets and gaping mouth.

Jace smiled, turning to the pumpkin they got at the patch that morning. “How’s it look, Timmy?”

“Great job,” Timmy said. “One more to go.”

Jace nodded. He gave the rag he’d used on Dad a quick sniff. There was still enough bleach and acetone mixture to take care of Mom, too.

This would be the best Hallowe’en ever.

 

Connie R. Watson

Since she was a teenager, Connie R. Watson has enjoyed writing fantasy stories, but recently discovered a new love for sci-fi, folktales, and poetry. You can find out more about Connie and her work by visiting her website connierwatson.com.

 

Party Favours

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by J.S. Carnes

 

Cindy manoeuvred through fake cobwebs lining the maze. As much as she loved creating haunted houses, tearing it down became tedious in the holiday’s afterglow.

“Of course, no one stays to help.” She combed through the twists and turns dropping decorations in boxes, the loose trash would have to wait for tomorrow.

Stacked boxes marked 10/31 gradually replaced haunted gimmicks.

She reached the final room.

Fake cobwebs covered a crucified clown above bowls of candy corn. Smeared makeup and blood dripped down coating the treats and filling the bowl.

Cindy sighed, “I told them not to kill the neighbours.”

 

J.S. Carnes

J.S. Carnes is an emerging author. He uses his love of imagination, conversation, and exploration to inspire his creative exploits. Keep up-to-date via Facebook: www.facebook.com/JSCarnes

 

Head of the Class

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by Raven Corinn Carluk

 

Master found me on the streets when I was five, offered to train me as an assassin. I was starving, weakened, waiting to be snatched up by the pedos.

What other prospect did I have?

By seven, I surpassed the other orphans my age. By ten, no one could beat my times on the obstacle course. By twelve, I was given a puppy to assist in my final training.

What could possibly hold me back?

At fourteen, Master said I was ready for missions, if I passed my last test: kill my dog.

What could I do without a master?

 

Raven Corinn Carluk

Raven Corinn Carluk is an indie author of dark fantasy, paranormal romance, and whatever other dark themes catch her interest. Find updates about her and enjoy free reads at RavenCorinnCarluk.Blogspot.Com

 

Tali’s Future

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by Susanne Thomas

 

Heralds pronounced the fate of the world at Tali’s birth.

The crown took instant action. Powers greater than theirs protected the child from murder.

But they isolated her and starved her to stunt both growth and strength.

And Tali grew up weak and small.

But when there was a momentary crisis in the castle after the queen’s hunting accident, Tali found herself alone long enough to slip her skeletal body through a gopher hole that the gardener had forgotten.

And Tali foraged and thrived, alone and angry. Until finally she had gained enough strength to return and fulfill her destiny.

 

Susanne Thomas

Susanne Thomas reads, writes, parents, and teaches from the windy west in Wyoming, and she loves fantasy, science fiction, speculative fiction, poetry, children’s books, science, coffee, and puns.  

susannethomas.wixsite.com/susanne-thomas

 

A Deal is a Deal

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by Crystal L. Kirkham

 

Tonight, they celebrated her granddaughter’s sixteenth birthday. An adult by the standards of the ancients. Now, the river spirit demanded its sacrifice for the deal that Marie had made.

“Annalise?” Marie’s voice cracked with emotion. “Can you fetch some water?”

“Of course.”

Marie watched her leave before calling to her granddaughter. “Let’s go inside.”

Neither of them needed to hear the screams. Her granddaughter may be an adult, but Marie would watch over her and her daughters after her. She’d protect them all until they came of age and their mother had to be sacrificed so Marie could live on.

 

Crystal L. Kirkham

Crystal L. Kirkham resides in rural Alberta. She’s an avid outdoors person, unrepentant coffee addict, part-time foodie, servant to a feline, and companion canines. She’s a multi-genre speculative fiction writer who believes in following the story where it takes her.  

Find out more on her and her work at www.crystallkirkham.com

 

The Ancestor Stone

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by Joel R. Hunt

 

Becoming a man had been harder in my grandfather’s youth, or so he delighted in telling me. The Sacred Forest was wild and overgrown. A boy needed to battle dangerous beasts, avoid poisonous plants, ascend the Ancestor Stone and carve off a piece to present to the tribe.

Only then would he become a man.

Now, the path was well trodden, the beasts tame, the flora dying. My forefathers had braved a treacherous journey so that mine would be safe.

I was grateful.

Until I came to the centre of the forest.

There was no Ancestor Stone left to carve.

 

Joel R. Hunt

Joel R Hunt is a writer from the UK who dabbles in the darker aspects of life, particularly through horror, science fiction and the supernatural.
He has been published in a number of short story anthologies and hopes to have released his own anthology later this year.
twitter.com/JoelRHunt1

 

Turning Thirteen

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by William J. Joel

 

Today was the day, and Tiffany could barely contain herself. She was thirteen and knew what that meant. But not her parents, last night.

“But I’ll be thirteen!” she cried. “It’s a really big day!”

“So?” said her Dad. “Big deal.”

Her parents had smiled, wished her good night and left her room. Parents could be so stupid.

But her thoughts were interrupted by her Dad wheeling a large box into her room. On it was printed, “Your First Android Body.”

Yes, today was the day she’d leave her computer home and finally get a body for her AI mind.

 

William J. Joel

All things are connected. That’s the premise of what William J. Joel does. Each of Mr. Joel’s interests informs each other. Mr. Joel has been teaching computer science since 1983 and has been a writer even longer. His works have appeared in Angels, Common Ground Review, DASH Literary Journal, and The Blend.

http://www.aniprof.com

 

The Monster in the Bed

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by Aiki Flinthart

 

Each night it comes for her body, her soul, her perfect youth. Each night the pillow gathers her tears, her screams, her pain; hides the knife she’s too afraid to use.

Each day its face is kind. A good father, they all say. Good man.

Can’t they see the broken soul in her eyes?

Then comes a night marked by absence. By the murmur of voices in her younger sister’s room. A muffled scream.

She vomits relief and self-disgust to the cold floor. She hangs her head.

The captured rage of years erupts.

Knife in hand, she stalks next door.

 

Aiki Flinthart

Aiki has had short stories shortlisted in the Aurealis awards and top-8 listed in the USA Writers of the Future competition, as well as published in various anthologies and e-mags. She has 11 published spec fic novels and has edited 2 short story anthologies. She regularly gives workshops on writing fight scenes at conventions. Lives in Brisbane. Does martial arts, archery, knife throwing and lute-playing. www.aikiflinthart.com