My Short Short Story for the Day

Ceecee had finally found the treasure.  It had been a long, arduous journey but she was too stubborn to quit.   Now that the small, glittery box was in front of her, she wondered what it contained that it had been hidden so well.  With a wave of her wand the lock popped and slowly Ceecee raised the lid.  The sun glinted off the jewels and Ceecee stared in awe for several seconds.  A chirp nearby shook her out of the daze and she quickly closed the lid, securing it with her wand.  She tucked it in her sack, tied it around her waist and took to the sky.  Her heart was thundering loudly as she flew as fast and as high as her wings would let her.  She couldn’t believe it.  The pink pearls of Exousia.  She had to get these to the Queen as soon as possible.  The longer she took the greater the danger and although danger was a part of any adventure, this went beyond even her limits.  The turrets of the castle finally came into view and Ceecee pushed hard.  The guards let her in with a nod and she went directly to the Queen’s chambers.  The maid opened the door to her and Ceecee went to the Queen and placed the sack on her lap without a word.  The Queen looked at Ceecee for a moment before opening the sack.  She carefully pulled out the box cradling it in her hands while Ceecee popped the lock.  Again the Queen looked at Ceecee as a feeling of unease began to rise within her.  She opened the lid and screamed.  She clutched at her heart as the box crashed to the floor.

My Short Short Story for the Day

“Bob, come on.”  Bill said racing ahead.  “Wait till you see it.”

“I’m coming.  I’m coming.”  Bob replied.

They hurried along the sidewalk, squeezed under the door and down the steps.  Bill kept stopping to encourage Bob to move faster, chattering the whole time.  The floor was slippery but Bill didn’t slow the pace.  The hunger pangs growing stronger the closer they got to his amazing find.  He couldn’t wait to see the look on their faces.  He’d be the talk of the colony for years to come.  Bill the great!  Super Bill!  They’d even have a parade to welcome him home as he proudly carried his…

“How much further Bill.  It’s getting late and I’m hungry.”  Bob stopped to look around.

“It’s right up there.”  Bill pointed to the top of the red desk.

“What?”  Bob didn’t hide his annoyance.

“Really.  Just up on top.”  Bill said.  “It’ll be worth it, I promise.”

“Ok, let’s get this over with.”  Bob followed Bill to the leg of the desk.

They quickly marched up and over the edge to the top.  Bill all but danced his way across the desk while Bob stopped and stared in awe.  It was the biggest apple he’d ever seen.  Big enough to feed the colony for a long time.

“Come on.  Let’s get this home.”  Bill said tugging at Bob.

“I can’t believe it.”  Bob said.  “You really came through this time.”

Bill hurried over to the apple with Bob right behind him.  Just as they reached it a dark shadow appeared over them.  Whack!

“Gross!”  The girl said tossing the soiled newspaper into the trash.  “I hate ants!” 

My Short Short Story for the Day

Marie hung up the phone, gently setting it on the counter.  She paused in the kitchen doorway looking out across her living room silently waiting for the truth to settle in.  How could this be?  It just didn’t seem right.  It didn’t seem real.  Her hand dropped to her side even as she held tightly to the doorway with her other hand.  How could this be?  Her mother had been so calm when she told her.  It was an accident she said.  The road was slippery and visibility was poor.  Neither driver had been drinking or speeding.  It was just…just an accident.  The other driver had been injured but Aaron was dead.  Dead.  She’d never see him again.  Never talk to him, never hear his laugh, never argue about politics, never reminisce about their childhood.  Nothing.  None of that, ever again.  Her funny, opinionated, idealistic, kind, indestructible brother was gone.  The grief tore through her as she collapsed to the floor.  The tears streamed down her cheeks as the sobs shuddered through her body.  Why?

My Short Short Story for the Day

“So how did you get that scar?”  Ralph asked.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”  Emma replied.

“No, go on.  Try me.”  Ralph laughed and settled into the comfy chair.

“Ok.  Well, I was out running in Topanga Canyon.  You know the nature trails they have out there.”  Emma started.  “Anyway, I had my iPod playing some Bon Jovi and I’m jogging along and all the sudden this snake is right there, next to my foot.  I’m mid stride so I couldn’t stop or anything.  And he’s all rattling away and there was nothing I could do.  My foot hit the dirt right by his head and snap.  He sunk one of his fangs into my leg and I screamed.  I had no idea what to do except I knew I had to get him off.  So here I am shaking my leg with this rattler dangling off it holding on by a fang and whoosh!  This huge hawk swoops down, grabs hold of the snake and flies off.  I’m just standing there staring after it wondering what are the odds of that happening.  Then the pain shoots through my leg and I start crying again.  I couldn’t remember if you’re supposed to suck out the venom or cut your leg to let it drain or what.   All I knew is that I needed help so I start running as fast as I could back down the hill to the parking lot.  I’m crying and swearing and stumbling all over the place.  Just as I get to my car I think, oh, wait.  Doesn’t running spread the poison faster?  Crap!  I jump in my car and race to the nearest emergency room.  They take me right in and the doctor said that since it was only one fang the amount of poison wasn’t enough to kill me.  So, here I am.

“Wow!  That’s crazy.”  Ralph said leaning forward.  “Did that really happen?”

Emma stared at him for a moment then spoke.  “No, my daughter was using me as a jungle gym and scratched me with her toenail.

My Short Short Story for the Day

It felt like years had passed since Janice was out of bed.  This cold had really wiped her out and two weeks later she was finally starting to feel the urge to get up and move around.  It was almost 11am when she padded down the hallway.  She opened the fridge and saw nothing edible inside.  Maybe a walk down to the store would do her some good.  It was only a short distance and she suddenly felt the need to be outdoors.  She gathered some clothes and turned the water on.  A nice hot shower really perked her up.  She dressed and pulled her hair back into a ponytail.  As she sat down to put on her shoes, she almost felt normal.  She grabbed her keys, some money and opened the door.  The sunlight blasted her in the face and she cringed, blindly grabbing her sunglasses off their hook by the door.  She put them on and walked out into the bright light.  She watched as people drove by going about their business oblivious to her two week absence.  The air was cool and pleasant as she walked along realizing that even though her world had been in limbo, everybody else had moved on around her.

My Short Short Story for the Day

Quinn raced across the ground dodging the swirling circles focusing on the other side.  Almost there she thought as she moved swiftly, stepping with great care.  Just a little further and I’ll be safe.  This was a test of agility but even more so of bravery.  She knew she was quick and clever.  Her father had taught her everything and praised her for being such a good student.  She knew she could do it but the tingle of nervous excitement filled her belly.  Finished!  Her father hugged her tight and the crowd cheered.  She looked to her mother in the stands and saw the relief ease the tension in her face.  Her mother waved then quickly brushed the tears from her cheek.  Her baby had made it safely across.  Father had tried to assure her the night before but Quinn was her baby, the last child to take the test.  After today, she wouldn’t have to suffer this heart wrenching anxiety anymore.  Suddenly there was a commotion in the arena.   Saber had almost finished his turn but something had happened.  He was teetering on the edge of a swirl.  Quinn reached out stretching for her best friend’s hand.  She didn’t think, didn’t hesitate.  She had to help him.  Their fingers locked and she pulled.  It looked as if he would right himself but suddenly the swirl shifted and sucked him in.  Time stopped for an eternity of an instant as Quinn’s eyes locked onto her father’s. 

My Short Short Story for the Day

It had been 10 years since she had seen him last.  They had met when he was a Junior and she was a Senior in High School.  He was into punk with jet black hair in a choppy, overgrown Mohawk.  He always wore black shirts, pants, shoes and a worn out black leather jacket.  He had piercings, tattoos and the sexiest smile she’d ever seen.  She wore her brown hair long, usually pulled back into a ponytail.  She was a straight A student, athletic and always home before curfew.  He was sweet, funny and just a bit dangerous.  She was quiet, focused and just a bit naïve.  They fell for each other instantly.  They broke up just before graduation but she never forgot him.  Then yesterday she got an email from him.  He was in town for a few days and wanted to see her.  Now standing here in the elevator she could hardly breathe.  She stared at the doors as the numbers dinged above.  Her heart began to pound.  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.  She opened her eyes again as the doors slowly slid open.