100-Word Fiction: ‘The Mark’

It was too easy to suggest that no one knew the full story; that no one understood. But he did feel that was true. It was also too easy to condemn. No one knew his background. Probably no one cared. He earned little money. Where he had come from! Then there was his family, theContinue reading “100-Word Fiction: ‘The Mark’”

100-Word Fiction: ‘If I Could Just…’

If I could just… Why were they looking so anxious? What were they trying to protect? Alaric knew. He knew! He tried again: If I could just… I think we need to look elsewhere, said one of the bosses. Yes, yes, said one of the acolytes. We need to show some ingenuity, be more convincing.Continue reading “100-Word Fiction: ‘If I Could Just…’”

100-Word Fiction: ‘The View From Here’

He was looking over the treetops, across the plains. The view from the roof was incredible. It was evening and everywhere was bathed with a brownish hue. He wanted to stay up there for ever. Let it rain; he didn’t care. The kids were asleep in the corner, covered by a blanket of plastic sheeting.Continue reading “100-Word Fiction: ‘The View From Here’”

100-Word Fiction: ‘The Unexploded Bombs’

The parcel bombs did not explode. They were discovered on p7, right next to Tom Jones. They were defused with only fifteen lines headed ‘Crime’, buried beneath news of Carlos Acosta dancing and a powerboat accident (p6), teenage choristers (p5), loan sharks (p4) and a BBC sitcom (pp1-2). The bombs made no sound. They wereContinue reading “100-Word Fiction: ‘The Unexploded Bombs’”

100-Word Fiction: ‘REDACTED’

Certain informations remain disapplied for reasons of international security. Documentation pertaining to concurrent pertinences and actions during qualified renditions of suspects is undergoing systemic release to relevant authorities. Independent assessment of such documentation will ascertain that under no circumstances have parties sought to disclarify evidence that could help with any investigation. Instances of disclarification areContinue reading “100-Word Fiction: ‘REDACTED’”

100-Word Fiction: ‘Toil and Trouble’

For my toils they will all feel trouble. Thrice those patchy pussycats mewed for my help. Those poisonous toads, serpents, yapping lazy dogs. Come drink from this charmed pot and see if you sleep so well. Within these pages is a hell-broth; for I make powerful magic. My trickery prophesied all – the spell wasContinue reading “100-Word Fiction: ‘Toil and Trouble’”

100-Word Fiction: ‘Ruined’

There is something especially pleasing about smoking a large Havana cigar while drinking brandy. Feet resting on a leather stool, with the windows open on a late afternoon in summer and the rush-hour traffic grumbling along below. How content one can be. This was the thought that filled my mind as I let the smokeContinue reading “100-Word Fiction: ‘Ruined’”

100-Word Fiction: ‘He Walked Away’

As he walked away from the football fields he heard a cheer. One of the kids must have scored. He looked at the time on his phone: it was fine, he’d be in the pub in twenty. Sometimes he wondered whether his own boy liked playing football. How old would he be now? Nine, maybeContinue reading “100-Word Fiction: ‘He Walked Away’”

100-Word Fiction: ‘Born to Lead’

I was born to lead. That’s why I’m always in the limelight. Events revolve around me. People are envious. It’s natural for me. Sometimes the truth has to be told. People respect that. They respect me. When things need to change people look to me to make it happen. * * * He’s always beenContinue reading “100-Word Fiction: ‘Born to Lead’”

100-Word Fiction: ‘Events Take Over’

I have heard it said that what is difficult to grasp in life is that moment when a thing that was before you becomes a thing that is behind you. An old friend once suggested something similar: ‘What the eye doesn’t see the foot suffers,’ he would intone sagely. You concentrate so hard on thingsContinue reading “100-Word Fiction: ‘Events Take Over’”