Recent Ficlets

Hostage

2008-07-20T10:49:06Z

I was going crazy.
What the hell was happening?
Cops showed up; I even think I saw some S.W.A.T. trucks coming. Now Steve is yelling in my ear about something I’m too shocked to listen to. But I can hear it. And I can hear sirens.
I snap myself out of it and take up the M4. I shoot at advancing cop and S.W.A.T. cars. Yells of the injured and the maimed reach my ears… Why on earth did we do this?
I hear on a cop radio that an officer is trapped right in front of the bank… trapped by my fire.
I hear her calls for help- but then realize I can hear her without the radio.
I duck out of cover- there she is, pistol in hand, distracted, yelling into the radio.
Perfect.
I stealthily move across the bank floor, being careful not to make a sound. She doesn’t see me.
I quickly turn the corner, acting before she can react, and hit the pistol out of her hand.
We now have yet another hostage.

Clean, white, and sterile

2008-07-20T10:00:12Z

beep… beep… beep

Elisabeth opened her eyes slowly and found that everything was fuzzy. She could see that the room was white, and by the smell she took it to be a hospital room. The young woman blinked, trying to clear her head and vision, but it was as if she was looking at the world through fogged glass. Nothing was clear and it was making a feeling of dread build in her stomach. There was an IV in her arm, she could feel that and she suspected the drugs making her hazy were coming from there.

“Hello?” Elisabeth thought her voice sounded just as fuzzy as her eyesight, but she called again loudly. “Hello?” No one answered and she took this as a sign that she was well and truly alone. Her fingers found the IV needle in her left arm and she ripped the tape off, and slowly pulled it out. It hurt and the woman bit her lip and hissed at the pain. Moments later her vision cleared.

And she realized it wasn’t a hospital room, it was a cell.

She guessed that her escape plan had not gone as She had planned.

speculation on dramatic devices (i was bored, sue me)

2008-07-20T06:34:23Z

when does a story become a tragedy?
when a hero, or, maybe not a hero in the conventional sense, but, a hero as pertaining to this one specific instance fights through hell, gets hit with everything that could possibly happen just to have the thing that he was questing for taken from him at the last moment?
no
its after that one moment, when the truth finally hits him that all that he loved, all that he fought for, cried for , lived for and in some sense died for is lost to him forever, its when that soul crushing sense of failure sets in, just before the story ends, when the hero feels that final blow, not to his body, but to his heart, tired, and broken
thats when a story becomes a tragedy, because before all that, its just a comedy with a sad ending
its all fun and games until someone loses the one they love
but in a greater sense, its still hilarious

pizza

2008-07-20T06:07:19Z

“Steven?”
I said once we were moving.
“Hmm?”
he asked absentmindedly.
“I really do love you.”
My face softened up.
“I know.”
He said smiling.
“i dont know what I’de do without you.”
he said sweetly.
We pulled up in front of sal’s Pizza.
“Lets get an extra large.”
i said grinning.
“Do you think we can eat that much.”
I just looked at him and lifted my eyebrows.
“Who am I kidding, of course we can.”

friendly fire

2008-07-20T06:05:53Z

My candle burns at both the ends,
it gives eternal light.
It warms my friends,
it burns my foes
and chases back the night.

Boy Shopping!

2008-07-20T04:36:23Z

So i met Stephen sort of on a whim. Ashley and I decided to go to the mall and shop from boys. We never suspected we’d find nything. Afterall, we both had boyfriends and all the guys our age are stupid. but Stephen Josh Ed and Doug stolled into the mall that night just as cluelessly as us. as soon as we saw them we knew we had found what we were looking for. We followed them for a bit and then decided it was time form them to approach us. They had walked outside to smoke. Our car was on the other side of the mall but we decided to walk all the way around, just to walk past them. We stopped a short ways away from the door and looked over to find one of them waving good-bye. I hollered for them to come over to us. We talked for a few minutes. And i could not peel my eyes away from Stephens perfectly blue-green eyes fro a second.
“By the way, I’m Stephen,” Said the hunk, as he shook my hand. We exchanged numbers and we talked every night for three weeks. Then he just stopped talking to me all of a sudden

Chapter 7

2008-07-20T04:24:34Z

“What?!” I shriek-whispered, “theres no way! i woke up in the bathroom!”
“Well,” Maggie tried to explain but i cut her off.
“Did we do anything?” Stupid question
“How should i know,” She snapped, “I was drunk as hell last night, passed out in his guest room. You lovebirds were fast asleep in his full-size pillowtop bed last i remember”
I walked away from my sarcastic friend and her breakfast and plopped down next to Chris on the couch.
He slid his arm around me and pulled me closer. I leaned my head on his bare shoulder and put my hand on his knee. I was staring at his washboard abs when I felt him look down at me.
“You’re beautiful,” He said softly. He was blushing. And I could feel my face getting hot.
“You’re amazing,” I spoke without meaning to.
He leaned down and kissed me. And kissed me. And kissed me.
And just then, a door slammed and I jumped at least a foot off the couch. Maggie was puking in the bathroom.

Journal of the Insane (Post #15)

2008-07-20T04:19:07Z

July 19, 2008,
I have been trudging from dawn to dusk… it seems that the mental institution was out in the middle of nowhere. I got a better look at it from a large and saw it perched up on a larger hill and surrounded by the toxic swamps. It seems whoever set me there didn’t want me to escape… but I did… I did damn it and I’m going to figure out what the hell is going on… that is if I ever see a town or a settlement. I have been walking for what seems to be miles upon miles and all I see is plains upon plains. I haven’t seen much vegetation since I left the swamp. Now all I see is large plains upon large plains, it doesn’t seem to have an end. I’m hoping my luck turns around and someone finds me… I don’t want to get this far and die escaping over this rugged terrain. I see the vultures already circling me… they must know that the odds are against me. God… if your hearing this… please don’t be teasing me… just let me get to the bottom of this and I swear I won’t ask for anything else…

A few seconds of relief

2008-07-20T03:38:30Z

I sat in my chair, my head burried in my hands. I heard myself whimpering, and felt myself holding back tears.
I turned up my music to block out the sound of my own sobbing, and the background noise-level of the music suddenly flowed into my ears with meaning…

Pain, without love… Pain, I can’t get enough… Pain, I like it rough cuz I’d rather feel pain than nothing at all…

These words seemed to fill my heart’s blackness, express feelings i wanted to rip out of my chest… My writing reflected this quite well, and it satisfied me. Writing about my feelings didn’t always help per say, but it allowed me a clean alternative from something worse… I clicked on my story again, and found a comment at the bottom when I’d finished.

Band Baby… I remember her, she’s always been sweet…

I smiled at the comment, and forgot about the words of my writing and the lyrics of my music for a few seconds.
“Thank you…” I whispered softly, then began typing her a note.

They have no lawyers, and their women go topless

2008-07-20T03:34:27Z

It was a very small planet. A classical army post from the times of the second empire, with one building big enough to defend the entire planet, and 2 landing areas: front for VIP ships and back for army and cargo.
Such planets became hot property once the war has ended. The main building was converted into a leisure dwelling, and in most cases – one of the landing areas was converted into a park or even a lake (if the owner could afford the water).
It was dangerous to land in such places uninvited. Not that anybody would attack physically, but those bastards had lawyers who could sue you for anything you had if you gave them a reason, and trespassing was a good enough reason.
But we’ve had a malfunction and we did try our best to contact the inhabitants, scanning all seven ethers known to man for two standard hours. The engineers said we had no choice, so we landed.
The hippies there were nice, but the metal-eating termites (developed by their ancestors during some forgotten revolution) were mighty hungry.

Memories of Love

2008-07-20T02:53:10Z

Dear Wiley,
My brother, Caleb, he spoke of you just the other day. Oh, you must remember him, he was so much younger than us.
He reminded me of the beautiful times we spent together during that splendid summer.

Do you remember that time at the lake house? Oh, you must. That wonderful night we spent together, doing things I shan’t mention in writing. Do you remember what you asked me that night? Of how you wished to marry me. It is too bad I refused to move to China with you for I hear it is much safer there than America.

I can tell that somethig in America is not right. The war has taken its toll on America, yes, but there is something else that doesn’t seem right. Whatever it may be I am just grateful that you are in China and not suffering like the rest of us.

Once I can write more I shall, but for now this is goodbye
-Hope

That letter,perhaps, made me cry the most. For, I do wish she would have accepted my proposal, but even more so I wish she was here with me now, in safety.

Front Porch Conversations--Eight

2008-07-20T02:21:27Z

“Look at that bird!”

“Ooh, it’s so pretty!”

“What kind is it?”

“I dunno.”

“You DON ’T KNOW ?”

“Um, yeah. I don’t know.”

“Weren’t you like a HUGE bird-watcher back in the mid-90s?”

“I was six. And I was just following my uncle around the woods while HE bird-watched.”

“But surely you could identify at least a few different species!”

“Not really. And don’t call me Shirley.”

“That’s awful.”

“Are you kidding? That’s classic!”

“Well do you at least have a book somewhere that can help me identify it?”

“I doubt it. And what do you care about what type of bird that is?”

“I don’t know, I was just curious! Do you have something against my curiosity?!”

“Maybe I do!”

“Well then you are not welcome here! You are an oppresser, and we don’t need oppressers here!”

“Oppresser? I don’t think that’s even a word! And this is MY porch! If you don’t want me, then LEAVE !”

“FINE! See if I don’t!”

“FINE!”

”...Shoot. I’m already bored. COME BACK DARN YOU !”

“NEVER!”

Letter to Wiley

2008-07-20T02:15:33Z

I sat in my room and remembered that fateful day… when the first letter came.

_Dear Wiley, my Wiley…

I am sending you a series of letters. They will be the last things I write to you my sweet. Why you ask me? Because, as you know, I am well beyond my years… there is war approaching my American shores… Soon they will close us off… and those that survive will be forced into slavery… America is so weak now…

I miss you, with all my heart. And I thank you for loving me back. Even though it was only one summer, we grew so much before you returned home.

My mother died this past month from aggressive cancer. I wish you had been here to say good bye… and to help me say good bye as well… Oh Wiley, there is so much more to tell!

But until I can afford another letter…, I love you.
-Hope_

I went to my closet and pulled out the rest of her letters. I did this when I missed her most. I sat on my bed and began the next one.

A Fellow Writer

2008-07-20T01:53:41Z

After a long, tiring day of packing and then unpacking I was very excited to come home and sit on my bed to check my Ficlets after 3 days away.

I logged onto my account and checked my new comments and notes. Once finished replying and such I noticed a new ficlet from one of my favorite authors on the site, Bartimaeus. I double clicked hurridly and read… then re-read. I wasn’t sure if the story was true or not but I knew he must have been feeling down to write such a story.

This was really nicely written and everything… but are you okay? This was deep and felt like it came from your heart… if so… just be careful? It’d be terrible if I couldn’t read another of your stories! ;-D

I hit ‘post comment’ and sat back in my chair. I hope he’s alright… I found myself thinking. Am I crazy? I don’t even know him… But yet… he’s a writer and so am I. If he’s hurting maybe… just maybe I can help with only my words and thoughts. I smiled as I hit ‘home’ to go back to other stories.

Hope

2008-07-20T01:38:55Z

She was nothing but a child.

She was so innocent and what happened to her was so very terrible.

Almost to this day I still find it hard to belive that a child this pure could have been ruined by such an unfortunate situation.

I wish I could have comforted her through her pain, but I was so very far away.

I was in China, halfway around the world from where she was.

I will never forget her or what happened to her. And that name.. so cute and yet ill fitting for what her life would play out to be…

Hope, yes such a beautiful name meant for a girl with a beautiful life. If only I was there for her.

This Side of the Hudson: Do Your Research

2008-07-20T01:37:43Z

In Auburn Courthouse:

“How does defense plead?”
“Not guilty. Joseph Libbin and his accomplice John Johnson were merely taking back what was Libbin’s.” Of course, the prosecutor sprang to his feet at once.
“Objection! Libbin is a dirty thief with no more sense than a…!” He controlled himself. “Your Honor, he dragged an item from my client’s private home, and made off with it like it was his own!”
“Which, technically, it was,” Sam replied calmly. “Forgive me, but I don’t think you’ve done your research, Mr Hodgson.” Said Mr Hodgson was growing red with fury of being corrected. He hadn’t lost a case, I later found out, in all the 25 years he had been in law. Almost every time, not surprisingly, he had been on the prosocution.
Sam continued. “Your Honor, I believe it is nessesary to go into family details regarding my client, Joseph Libbin, and Mr Hodgson’s client, Tom Thompson.” She motioned to a scrawny man with inset eyes. I glared at him.
The judge thought a moment. “Go ahead Ms Latimer.”

Half Angel Pt.2 of 2

2008-07-20T01:32:29Z

“Thats it, you’ve pissed me off.” and he pulled the trigger. His gun, to the boy but an extension of his meaty fist, let loose a terror. A small silver terror. As if time slowed down, the boy was reacting, eyes clenched, he knew what was to happen. But then, coming from above, the sound of wings spreading ricocheted through the air. As the boy opened his eyes, and felt the bullet in his heart, all he could see was a beautiful silver light.

Half Angel Pt. 1 of 2

2008-07-20T01:31:28Z

Cold black on the walls, and not a sound but that of heavy breathing and foot steps echoed against the walls. What seemed a small character seemed to be running. Running away from his aggressor. Blood racing, thoughts flying, fear etched upon his face, he ran. “Fuck, a dead end.” He shouted. He turned about, tears in his eyes. He new what was to be done.

"Your money or your life? What'll it be?"

“Please, stop.” Pleaded the boy, “I’ve got nothing you want. Fuck, not even a watch!” He went to turn out his pockets, tears now rolling free.

"Buddy, your holding out on me!"

“I’m not,” But his pockets, they wouldn’t go. Of all the days to have pockets that can’t come out, “Really, i’m not!”

"Whats that then, in your pocket?" 
"NOTHING, MY POCKETS JUST DON'T COME OUT" He was hysterical.

"I'm not playing no fuckin' games kid," he cocked his gun "Last chance!"

“Why the hell would i have anything, i’m only 16!?”

Diabolically Villainous Challenge Answered

2008-07-20T00:50:13Z

Richard (don’t call me Dick) MacElwain slammed his desk drawer, and rolled back away from his desk, knocking over his waste basket as he did. Swiveling around on his chair he kicked the offending basket spewing trash across the aisle.
“Richard, you gonna pick that up?” called out a voice.
“That’s what we have janitors for; stupid mexicans aren’t good for anything else.” he answered the voice.
He nudged his chair out of the way with one massive thigh, and picked up his briefcase.
“Have a nice weekend, Richard” said the voice with irony.
Richard waved his middle finger over his shoulder.
The two massive glass doors were no match for Richard as he slammed them back against their stops. Ten paces farther he was stopped by the security guard at the outer gate.
“Would you open your briefcase sir” the guard said.
“You pimply faced punks think you’re something. I make more money in an hour than you do all night.”
“Would you open it, please?” asked the guard.

Making a Date...Sorta

2008-07-20T00:46:00Z

“Lacey please, you don’t have to worry about me. Just as long as I’m talking to you I should be fine.”
“Awe..that is so sweet..well, don’t worry i will always be there for you , Adam, and so will the rest of your friends.

I could tell she wasn’t fully convinced of my miraculous recovery, but it was just something about Lacey, she made feel better, almost to the point were i feel semi-normal

“Hey Lace?”
“Yeah”
” I was wondering if you wanted to hang out later”
“Sure, just tell me when and where”
“How about the park outside my house.”
“Ok, sounds good”
“Just come over ASAP there’s something i have to tell you”
“Adam, is everything ok?”
“Yeah i just need to tell you this in person”

The gift and the question

2008-07-20T00:33:07Z

After that day, Rob came to visit the orphanage every other day on his lunch breaks and on weekends. Laia seemed to like him alot, though I still was a bit unsure about him… I got over the initial feelings of mistrust for him, and began to enjoy his presence almost as much as Laia.

“Look what he got me yesterday!”
She held a red ribbon up to my face so I could clearly see it.
“It’s pretty.” I said, “Why don’t you put it in your hair?”
“Well, I don’t wanna mess it up!”
I furrowed my brow, confused.
“Isn’t a ribbon supposed to make your hair look better?”
“Well yea, but…”
Her eyes shifted from left to right, as if looking for an answer.
“Oh, nevermind, I’ll wear it tomorrow, k?”
I shrugged.
“Ok.”
I thought about arguing with her, but let it go. Then, another thought crossed my mind.
“Laia?”
“Yes, Tommy boy?”
“I said not to call me that!”
She giggled.
“Sorry, I won’t do it again… conitnue.”
I sighed.
“Do you think Rob wants to adopt you?”
She froze where she was and caught my eyes.

I Love Him

2008-07-20T00:28:24Z

Keith moved in closer to me and made me feel, for once today, safe and comforted. Just the look in his eyes made me want to fall into his arms and stay there forever. He seemed so sincere in what he was about to say. I remebered back to when we were going out. Why that had ever ended i wasn’t sure but for some reason i felt like this was all suppose to happen

“Stella? I don’t wanna tell you what to do…but”

I could tell he was trying to say that he wanted me to break up with him, but was to much of a gentlemen to say so

“I don’t know what to do…he doesn’t even seem sorry for what he did.”
“You deserve so much better than that”
The way he said that sent shivers down my spine and i tried not to burst into tears.
“I just don’t know”
” I regret ever letting you go”

At that moment I realized something…something that i never thought i would feel again I…....I love Keith.

Lacey

2008-07-20T00:18:29Z

“Hello?”
“Hey Adam, it’s Lacey… You didn’t look so good after 7th period today.. I know what it’s like to have days like these, so just promise me you won’t do anything you’ll regret, alright?”

The truth was, when I was distracted, I could avoid my feelings most of the time. Whether it be talking to someone on the phone, or doing something with a friend or two, it seemed to ‘push the dirt under the rug’, so to speak…

“Ok… could you just talk to me for a little while? I don’t care what we talk about, I just need to.”

I could hear her sigh in relief, and laugh slightly.
“That’s fine with me, Adam, just fine…”
I smiled weakly, then she spoke again.
“Hey, Adam?”
“Yea?”
“Did you write another depressing ficlet?”
“Um, no…”
I heard her ‘I know you’re lying’ sigh.
“Well, what’s this I’m reading?”
“I don’t know… what is it?”
“Adam… you know I worry about you when you write like this… and it’s more than just me, your other friends care, too…”

Tears of a Broken Girl

2008-07-20T00:09:48Z

“He did what?!?!?”

My hands began to shake and my heart began to pound as a girl in my class, Hannah, told me that my boyfriend of 2 months, Kevin, had attempted to make a move on her

“Stella, I am so sorry”
“It’s not you’re fault, I should have known”

I felt so betrayed, but mope about this i will not! At first Kevin didn’t even think he did anything wrong, which of course just made me cry. We all were outside of our school now. I tried my best to ignore Kevin, but i thought he cared. How could he do this. It’s not like he even tried to apologize.

“I need to talk to Keith.”
I shouted frantically to Allison, one of my friends, she immediatley brought my best friend Keith to my side. Him and I walked to a secluded part of the school were we could be alone. At first i almost began to cry but Keith’s face kept me strong

Oh boy...

2008-07-20T00:06:15Z

“What are you THINKING ?!” Anna yelled. “We are NOT going on the island!”

“Well we can’t just wait here for the storm to stop!” David yelled back.

“Bu-But didn’t you see the lightning?”

“Obviously. No one could miss it.”

“People DIE from shocks that huge. I don’t want to die!”

“No one is going to die!” David yelled, silencing Anna. He turned to the other crew members. “Full speed at the island. No complaining!”

Oh boy, Anna thought. This quest is way more dangerous than I thought.

The Sanctity of Marriage (Diabolical Villain Challenge)

2008-07-20T00:00:45Z

I felt the sweat trickle down my back. It was hot here in the bushes, but my anger was hotter.

Soon I saw them, the pastor and his wife, coming out to their new sauna room. They claimed they won it on a game show, but that was as false as his puritan life.

Soon the steam filled the little box and I approached, unnoticed.

I pictured my daughter’s tear streaked face as she used the psychologist’s dolls to demonstrate what that Pastor had done to her.

I slammed the door open and evicted them from the sauna at gun point, both in their swimwear. I told them to quietly enter their house.

Once inside, the Pastor tried to talk me down. “You are troubled, Caleb. God knows whatever you’re going through, and..”

“Bedroom! Now!”

“Take whatever you want! Shoot us! It’s all just things of this world.” The wife was well-schooled.

“I’m not going to give you the satisfaction of death, no. Undress, woman! On the bed!”

“What?!”

“An eye for an eye, Pastor. Your sanctity of marriage for my daughter’s virginity.”

Dreaming 5

2008-07-19T23:38:21Z

“This is so different. And a month as passed, so I should be used to it but I’m not.” Anna thought. “It’s like there’s something missing. I need coffee.”

Anna’s new lifestyle had changed her. She was now addicted to coffee, and she read more than she used to. The coffee place she was so familiar with passed by her window, and she smiled. That place was like a second home to her.

“Here you are, ma’am.” Said the driver.

Anna paid and stepped from the taxi and looked up at the blah-de-blah memorial business she worked for. She still had no idea what the company actually did and all she did was attend meetings.

“Another day of informative meetings. I get off late today, and I’ll be at Tantalus Coffee for a while. Great life.” Anna muttered as she began her daily job.

Dreaming 4

2008-07-19T23:37:47Z

“I know. You just have no creativity, Anna.” Smiled Nancy. “You better get going. Eight-fifteen.”

Anna jumped from her chair, grabbed her shoulder bag from behind the door and hurried out of the townhouse she shared with Nanami. The morning rush hour was already beginning in an outside part of New York. Anna barely knew the city because she had moved in with her friend last month and was so caught up with work. She had been transferred from a quite town in Ohio to here, the Big Apple. So far, she knew where a not-Starbucks coffee place that was never really crowded was and three libraries.

“Ah,” Anna said, breathing in the industrious air. “Good morning world.”

“Anna! Get going already!” Nancy called from behind her. “You’re going to be late!”

“I normally am.” She called back. Heaving a heavy sigh she trudged off down the front walk and around the iron fence to pick up a taxi.

Dreaming 3

2008-07-19T23:36:49Z

“Well, aren’t you going to be late to work? It’s seven-thirty.” The voice said.

“Oh. Oh! Work! I’ve got to get going!” Anna said, startled. She flew out of bed and to the bathroom that was only accessible through her room.

After she had finished cleaning herself up, Anna bounced into the kitchen, heading for the coffee pot. She smiled and said good-morning to Nanami who was her good friend who always set her straight if something was amiss.

Nancy was a tall African American community college student sharing an apartment with her best friend since high school, Kheri. They were both eighteen and shared a love of books and movies.

“So what did you dream about last night?” Anna asked as she sat down at the small table with her coffee.

“The usual hot guys and beaches. And you?” Nancy laughed.

“Um, it was a bit random. But there was a hot guy.”

Nancy laughed harder. “A hot guy? Only one? How weird.”

“For you it’s weird. But this is the same dream I’ve been having.”

A Crime Beyond Atonement

2008-07-19T23:21:14Z

“No.”

She barely breathed it. It took a few seconds for it to take effect, and as it did his face, hopeful, nervous, and expecting all at once, crumpled. Confused at first, then wrinkled in pain.

The word had been but a whisper, but the force it had bestowed upon him was the sonic blast following a star’s implosion.

She was immediately overwhelmed with the temptation to cradle his head in her arms, whispering fiercely that she hadn’t meant it. But she knew she could not. She knew the truth before the word had settled on her lips.

She watched as his eyes drowned in tears. Seeing his heart break decimated her own. She deserved every bit of hell she would henceforth encounter; would scorn any happiness, if it would atone in any minute way for the destruction she had so cruelly placed in his life.

She slipped the ring from her finger and handed it back to him. He stared at her waist, breathing raggedly. He was a star imploding upon himself, and she was not sure she could stand to see the agony of the blast.