Posts from the ‘Flash Fiction’ Category

Aug 29

It’s All in the Clicks – Flash Fiction

flash fiction Aug 29

“I know how to do this, just be quiet”, Mary said to Pete as she listened intently with her stethoscope up against the safe’s dial.

Stopping briefly, Mary said to Pete, “It should only take a few more tries to break this baby.

Frightened as a rabbit Pete replied, “I sure hope so, we’ve been here almost an hour. I need to see my fathers will”.

Hearing the clicks, carefully turning the dial clockwise and counterclockwise, then back again, she knew she had it.

“Voila, Pete. I’ve never met a safe that I couldn’t crack. Dad would be proud”.

This was written for a flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch.

99 Words.

Recipes Passed Down

Flash Fiction August 22 shortbread

Every year at Christmastime Meg’s grandmother who was from Paisley Scotland would make shortbread.

Shortbread was an expensive luxury at one time and was usually only made for special occasions.

It is said that these rich delicious biscuits date back to the 12^th century.

Meg would watch intently as her grandmother carefully measured out flour, icing sugar, and of course the butter. Into a big bowl, the ingredients would go, and the hand beating with force would begin.

Ever since her grandmothers passing Meg has carried on with her traditional recipe and bakes many batches of them at Christmas.

© Susan Zutautas 2019

This is written for a flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch. In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about old-world charm. It can be nostalgic or irreverent. You can invent an “old world,” return to migrant roots or recall ancient times. Go where the prompt leads you!

Aug 16

13 Comments

Sweet Jam – Flash Fiction

August 15 flash fiction

Come one, come all to Bellevue’s Last Call Bar and Grill to listen to the sounds of Head First. They’re sure to satisfy your thirst.

Dance the night away with songs from the 1980s unless nine o’clock is past your bedtime. Come on out and rock till you drop.

On horns and flute, we have Mike who can start one sweet jam with the band.

On drums, there’s Chris who will beat to your heart.

Paul takes care of the vocals and he’s a local.

Sing along they don’t mind in fact they think it’s always a good time.

Written for a flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch. This weeks prompt is “Sweet Jam”.

Aug 13

24 Comments

Death or Victory?

Image by Pixabay

Watch this, he’s going to code!

People rushed in to see what was happening.

You could see the sweat on his brow and hear him gasping for air.

His fingers, the center of attention as he tapped out.

Would this be the last of him?

The bell rang, and everyone stopped, the coding competition came to an end and he’d won first prize for the new computer game Clash of Clans.

This was written for Six Sentence Story. Denise’s prompt word this week is “code“.

Aug 13

17 Comments

Poisoned Apple – Flash Fiction

Flash Fiction Aug 8

Okay, I think we finally have a winner here, would you like to test it? As soon as this hits the shelves people will be running each other over trying to purchase this. Here, hold out your arm Elizabeth.

Hold on a few seconds, I need to wash off my wrist first.

Pierre gently applied a touch of the new fragrance to Miss Arden’s wrist and waited intently.

Well, tell me, what do you think?

The scent is fruity yet slightly spicy. I love it! What shall we call it? Oh, wait I know, Pomme Empoisonnée or Poisoned Apple.

This was written for a flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch. In 99 words (no more, no less) write a short story using “Poison Apple” as your prompt word.

Jul 29

16 Comments

For One Day – Flash Fiction

Flash fiction July 25

Daydreaming about my mother is something I do quite often. What was she like, how did she smell, what would it have been like to have her with me other than for just a few short years?

My mind started wandering and for one day I had her all to myself. My emotions got the best of me and through tears of joy I embraced every moment. The love I felt was like no other.

We laughed, we cried, we hugged, we never wanted the day to end.

Although this is only daydreaming, I often return to this day.

© Susan Zutautas 2019

This piece is written for a flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch. Charli’s prompt this week is as follows:

In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes the phrase “for one day.”

Jul 15

13 Comments

The Koala’s Picnic – Flash Fiction

This flash fiction of 99 words was written for a challenge over at Carrot Ranch. The prompt word being: KOALA

koala flash fiction

“The wombats are coming, Mama,” said joey koala all excited after waking up from his nap.

“Yes, they are dear now would you help me set up the picnic table for the feast.”

“When are they going to get here mama?”

“They should be here shortly. They move much faster than we’re able, so I’d say sooner than later.”

“Here put this plate of tussock beside the eucalyptus leaves and then we’re going to tidy up before everyone gets here.”

When the wombats arrived they all mulled around the picnic table enjoying the food before starting to play games.

© Susan Zutautas 2019

**************************************************

Mama koala with joey

Benjamint444 [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)]

The closest relative to the koala is the wombat. The females both have pouches making them marsupials and both are herbivores. The koala’s life expectancy is 10 – 15 years and the wombat’s usually live 5 years.

Wombat

vombatus_ursinus_-maria_island_national_park_edit_2

JJ Harrison (jjharrison89@facebook.com) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]

Jun 29

5 Comments

A Painted Poem

June 27 Flash Fiction

This post is for a flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch. In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that involves paint. It can be fresh, peeling or in need of a coat. What is being painted and why? Go where the prompt leads!

*****************************************

I had a picture painted in my mind

But where was I going to find

Someone who completed me

To give them my hearts key

Then one night

My heart took flight

Meeting you, such a delight

I want to paint you a picture in a poem

How long it was, how long I roamed

To find a person that would love me

One who wanted to spend an eternity

The night I met you I started a new life

One year later we became husband and wife

Thirty-two years have now passed

Baby it has been a blast

Jun 22

13 Comments

Test Results

June 20 flash fiction

This was written for this week’s flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch.

In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about having to wait. Who is waiting and what for? Think about how the wait impacts the character or the story. Go where the prompt leads!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“How soon will be able to get me the results?”

“I should have them in by say nine o’clock tomorrow morning.”, the doctor said.

“Alright, well I’ll be waiting to hear from you then, and thanks so much for doing this for me, I know this isn’t something you regularly do.”

“That’s true but in this case, I’m happy to.”

I couldn’t sleep that night, waiting wasn’t something I liked to do.

Sitting patiently by the phone the next morning anticipating what the doctor would say, the phone rang.

“I have your test results and you are indeed pregnant.”

Jun 18

8 Comments

Working Together

june 13 flash fiction

This was written for a flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch. In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about the work of many hands. Is it a cooperative effort or something else? Go where the prompt leads!

Did you know that when I was a boy, my dad, your grandfather had a hand in the landscaping of Botanical Gardens? He loved working with his hands not only in construction but gardening too.

In the East end of Montreal, there was a plot of land just sitting there empty that belonged to the city. My dad got permission to start a community garden to grow vegetables.

Every weekend that is where I’d find him and many of our neighbors working together growing all kinds of vegetables.

We didn’t have much money and that garden helped feed us.