Category Archives: Flash Friday Fiction

All’s Fowl in Love and War
Margaret Locke (@Margaret_Locke)
159 words

The young woman’s eyebrows knit in puzzlement as she stared at the water. “Why is a chicken crossing the canal?” she exclaimed before covering her mouth in embarrassment; ladies did not shout out loud, even at the World Fair.

“To get to the other side?” a deep voice proffered from beside her. Startled, she looked over to see chocolatey eyes crinkle in amusement. “Although I’ve no clue how a chicken ended up in the middle of Chicago, either.”

Her green eyes sparkled as she returned his grin.

Years later the two returned to this spot of their first meeting, although of course the buildings – and the water – had long since disappeared.

She gazed into his familiar eyes, hooded now with aging lids, and murmured, “It was destiny, my love.”

“Yes,” he said, leaning in to plant a kiss on her graying locks. “Destiny…and a chicken.”

From behind them they were certain they heard a cluck of approval.

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This week, in addition to sticking to the 150 word limit (+/- 10 words), we had to include the element “destiny” somehow into the story. Love my take? Hate it? Let me know what you think! And come join us at Flash Friday Fiction and give the photo prompt your own twist – it’s fun and we don’t bite. I promise.

Natural Selection – (160 Words – must include reference to either tiger or turtle)

“Told you you should’ve given it a rest,” the tiger said as he licked his paw, smoothing it over his ear.

The turtle eyed the top of the hill, his perpetual look of irritation etched more deeply now across his face. He said nothing.

“But no,” the tiger went on. “You had to prove you were not only smarter than that hare, but faster, too. Racing back and forth up there as if you could defy the laws of nature.” He shook his head in amusement.

“How was I to know,” exclaimed the turtle with a snap of its beak, “that that stupid snake would try to outdo me?” He gazed again at the skeleton stretched eerily across the sky. “But I don’t get what happened.”

“Looks like something – or someone – frightened him out of his skin. And bones.” The tiger licked his lips again, giving his friend a knowing glance.

The turtle grinned. “Hope he was tasty.”

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Run (or crawl!) on over to Flash Friday Fiction to read more tiny tales based on this photo prompt. And I’d love to know what you think of this week’s story!

I had the privilege to share with my beloved Flash Friday Fiction community why it is I write (and love) romance. Check it out, and let me know what you think!

Flash! Friday Fiction‘s rules state one is allowed to submit up to two stories per flash prompt. I’ve never done so before, having always felt once I wrote my piece that was it. Except for this week, apparently; while trying to take a nap, additional lines and ideas flooded into me and I felt compelled to write them down. So here you go – a Read-One-Get-One-Free special, likely for this week only! Let me know what you think of this, and of my previous story based on the same photo.

Still Standing
Margaret Locke (@Margaret_Locke)
160 words

I long to go back. Back to when I was young, to when my roots felt strong, to when I wanted nothing more than to branch out into the world, soaking up sunshine. Life was easy then, back when I was solid, before she ripped this gaping hole in me. Many have passed through since. None have fixed me, though a few tried.

I eye the giant hulk of a tree before driving underneath it. In and out in a flash. That tree and I are alike. Relics of a past life – a passed life -, shells of who we once were, damaged by those who thought they’d found a better way.

I stop the car. I walk back to the tree, touching it, caressing it. “I’m sorry,” I murmur, not sure whether I’m apologizing to it or myself. Spindly forest surrounds us. We are giants among weaklings, the tree and I. Scarred. Broken. But we are still standing.

The Road to Nowhere (152 words)

The old man clutched the steering wheel tightly while he maneuvered through the tunnel carved into the tree, a chuckle escaping him as they cleared the other side.

“Remember, Mabel, when we was young and we thought that tree was magical – that it could whisk us to some other time or place, some place better? I always wanted to go to the City, be in thick of things.” He chewed his cheek for a moment.

“You just prayed to disappear.” He shook his head. “Never understood that.”

Mabel stared out the window. The truck bounced as it hit a root. She’d learned long ago there was no such thing as magic, no such thing as escape. Her pa had taught her that, with his switches and his groping. Her husband had taught her that, too.

She looked down. Her fingers were dissolving, her legs no longer visible. She smiled. At last.

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Join us over at Flash! Friday Fiction to read other wonderful short (short!) stories based on this prompt. We authors love it when you leave feedback, too!