Story Telling – Page 16

Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 13: For Her, Anything

This is the eighth in a series of 365 Flash Fiction stories I’m writing from 2nd December 2012 until the 1st December 2013. It’s intent is to keep me writing throughout the year, and not just in November. you can find out more about the challenge here.

For Her, Anything, by Jonathan L. Lawrence, 14th December 2012

Word count: 991

Theme: end of the work. unknown apocalypse, apocalypse, love, survival, violence, humanity

The story:

Dear Sarah,

Are you out there? Are you well? I worry about you and miss you. I was in London when it happened, I was going to bring you something nice. It’s five months later, five months moving from one wretched town to another, always making my way back home.

When the attack happened it hit central London first. I managed to evacuate. The following day, I broke away from the thousand of refugees, I don’t know why I went a different route, I just did. As did several others, dozens of us, guess it just seemed easier than being shepherded by the army to no one knows where.

Whimsy saved my life, you always said by random decision making would be the death of me, it nearly has three times since then, but that time, it saved me. The attack happened at mid-afternoon, we saw it on the horizon. All those refugees.

Continue reading “Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 13: For Her, Anything”

Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 12: The Elementalist

The Elementalist, by Jonathan L. Lawrence, 13th December 2012

Word count: 999

Theme: competition, sport, super powers, mutants, utopian future

The story:

I bounce on the balls of my feet, oan outsider might see a competitor warming up, in truth I’m trying to work off a building sense of fear and excitement that were ripping me apart.

“Its the World Championship, you’re allowed to be nervous,” that’s my coach Silenius Smith, I resented his calm, but he’s been through this, he was an old pro, maybe in his forties now.

“I’m just wired,” I tell him.

“No Rusty, you’re terrified, but it’s okay you won’t lose control in the arena, you’re more than good enough for a first round victory,” Silenius admonished.

“I’d rather hear you’ll be kick my arse if I mess it up,” I tell him, trying to laugh.

“No, that wouldn’t be fair,” Silenius said sternly, “I’m going to kick your arse in training tomorrow anyway,” giving in to a smile.

Continue reading “Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 12: The Elementalist”

Flash Fiction: Modern Workforce

This is not part of my daily challenge, I just had an idea in mind, and couldn’t help going for it. Today’s challenge was done by 1am, because I’m daft like that, but I also knew I’d be tired when I got home after taking my niece to the Royal Armouries. So this is an extra. Besides, technically it’s not really one story, it’s a collection of linked micro stories. I won’t pretend to be an expert on the rules of what is classed as what, I enjoyed writing it is all, and I hope you enjoy reading it.

Modern Workforce, by Jonathan L. Lawrence, 12th December 2012

Word count: 900

Theme: social commentary, modern world, observation

The story:

Alex Cottingley raced across town. He was running out of time, his interview was at ten, and it was quarter to already.

A woman coming out of a Greggs stuffing her mouth with a sausage roll nearly sent him flying, he dodged it and ran on. On a curve in the long street he could see the offices he needed, he should be there bang on time, he hoped.

The woman exiting Greggs was Susan Leon, and she was having a bad day. She’d gone into work as normal at seven thirty only to find out at nine that the company was closing without notice. The owners were no where to be found, there was no payroll, and no deliveries.

She was angry, she’d worked there five years, ever since leaving school. She should go to the job centre, but she needed to take her anger out on something, so she chose a sausage roll, diet be damned. As she walked aimlessly, she stumbled into a man of her own age, they shared a look of mutual desperation, both apologised and they went their own ways.

Continue reading “Flash Fiction: Modern Workforce”

Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 11: Letter from a Zombie, Or How I Came To Stop Eating Brains

Letter from a Zombie, Or How I Came To Stop Eating Brains, by Jonathan L. Lawrence, 12th December 2012

Word count: 932

Theme: zombie apocalypse, apocalypse, redemption, monster, zombie, saviour

The story:

Across the world the dead rose, and humanity trembled.

The dead were a plague upon the cities, upon the people. The dead needed something the living had, life.How did the dead get it? The brain. The dead needed brains.All the flesh was tasty, but the brain, that kept the undead alive.

The undead had no minds of their own, they were undead after all. The brain brings thoughts, feelings, even memories are occasionally rekindled. Yes, if you’re wondering, it even brings remorse. I know this all too well, I was one of them, I guess I still am.

Continue reading “Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 11: Letter from a Zombie, Or How I Came To Stop Eating Brains”

Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 10: Jack Lead – 2HB

Jack Lead – 2HB, by Jonathan L. Lawrence, 11th December 2012

Word count: 999

Theme: action, adventure, world domination, evil mastermind

The story:

“I own the future,” industrialist Peter Crowfield said emphatically. “You are just part of the master plan my friend.”

Jack felt used, for the past month he thought he had been working, non-stop it felt, to save the planet. Only to find his boss who had been helping him was actually some insane criminal mastermind.

“I’m sure you’re wondering what next,” the megalomaniac said to the tied up employee. “Well first we’ll make a demonstration, then we’ll make our demands.”

Jack wanted to say something clichéd like Peter would never get away with it, but Jack was bound and gagged.

Continue reading “Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 10: Jack Lead – 2HB”

Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 9: Light Speed

Light Speed, by Jonathan L. Lawrence, 10th December 2012

Word count: 1,000

Theme: random acts of violence, crazy, anthropomorphic animals, revenge

The story:

Captain Twigg stood up from his chair, faced the camera’s squarely and held out his hand.

“Next stop…” he held a pause for longer than was comfortable, “Alpha Centauri.”

It was all horribly contrived to Second Lieutenant Carlisle, who was sat two meters away, facing away from the cameras, gladly. He considered it an honour to be on board human kind’s first manned faster than light ship, but he also knew far too much about the cluster fuck this mission had already become. For now he must focus on the mission, those were his orders.

Without skipping a beat he reported on time, “Vector eighteen, three hundred kilometres per second.”

“Hmm…” the captain sat back in his chair thoughtfully, “We need to go faster.”

“Increase velocity, thrusters to maximum, helm,” first lieutenant Jordan Sinclair ordered.

“We’re on schedule,” the Second Lieutenant pointed out, wary not only of the mission parameters that called for no heroics in testing the new engines, but also the thought of being stranded where no one could come rescue them.

“We’re going beyond human knowledge, Second Lieutenant,” the Captain stressed the Lieutenant’s rank, “The people of Earth aren’t looking for safety, they want to see us fly high. The collective breaths of an entire world are holding on to see what we can do, let’s not let them suffocate,” all the time looking at the camera. Second Lieutenant Carlisle realised this would go in his blog tonight, an tale of the Captain’s bravery in the face of the cowardice of his underling.

Continue reading “Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 9: Light Speed”

Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 8: The Rambo Trout

The Rambo Trout, by Jonathan L. Lawrence, 7th December 2012

Word count: 759

Theme: random acts of violence, crazy, anthropomorphic animals, revenge

The story:

How a trout came to be carrying a blunderbuss, no one knew. Everyone knew, or thought they knew, trout were good for two things. Eating, and swimming. This one, however, was different.

He came walking down the street, carrying his blunderbuss with a very intent face.

Many conspiracy theorists have postulated that it was a set up, that the trout knew what would happen. That he even planned for it, making it cold blooded murder. I can’t speak to the trout’s intent, but I can testify to what i saw at least.

The trout was walking along the Queen’s Promenade in Blackpool, carrying the antique gun as I already stated. Now being that he was a fish very much out of water he did attract a lot of attention from cats. These cats weren’t like this strange trout though, they were just normal cats, and they didn’t realise what the trout carried.

As the army of cats approached, he turned, aimed the blunderbuss which was about as odd a thing as I had ever seen, and he fired.

Continue reading “Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 8: The Rambo Trout”

Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 7: The Thief’s Mission

This is the seventh in a series of 365 Flash Fiction stories I’m writing from 2nd December 2012 until the 1st December 2013. It’s intent is to keep me writing throughout the year, and not just in November. you can find out more about the challenge here. The Thief’s Mission, by Jonathan L. Lawrence, 8th December 2012 Word count: 520 Theme: secret agent, suspense, thriller The story:

“Stay low, stay alive,” Martin said to Jack.

“Stay low, stay alive. Stay low, stay alive,” Jack repeated to himself like a mantra, he was afraid.

“Don’t be a baby on me Jack,” Martin warned, last thing he needed was for Jack to break down.

“I’m not a baby,” Jack said annoyed, his anger pushing past his fear briefly.

“Good, let’s go,” Martin pointed the way. He pushed the door open as much as he dared and slithered through looking around him as he went. Jack didn’t follow, so he reached back and pulled him by the arm, which Jack resisted.

“Hey,” Jack started to say, but was silenced by Martin putting his index finger to his lips.

“Target’s there,” he whispered pointing upwards over a counter. “You’ve got to be quiet, there might be guards.”

Continue reading “Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 7: The Thief’s Mission”

Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 6: Twice Blessed, Twice Cursed

This is the sixth in a series of 365 Flash Fiction stories I’m writing from 2nd December 2012 until the 1st December 2013. It’s intent is to keep me writing throughout the year, and not just in November. you can find out more about the challenge here.

Twice Blessed, Twice Cursed, by Jonathan L. Lawrence, 7th December 2012

Word count: 1,000

Theme: fantasy, myth, Gary Sue, hunting, goddess, celtic

The story:

“No good will come of the runt, mark my words,” a wisened old woman said, holding an infant up to the light, “Look, he casts a red shadow, the mark of evil.”

“Put down my child, and begone foul witch!” a gruff bearded man said barging into the room.

The woman dropped to the floor, and grovelled as she shuffled out.

“You’re not to listen to those damnable witches,” the man warned the woman who lay silent on the bed. “Our son will be great, mark my words.” The woman lay still and quiet. She had made no sound since the last push to birth the child. The physicians assured the man, the king of Grata Land she was alive, but they knew not what she didn’t respond to anyone.

The man wrapped the infant in a blanket and left her with a look of regret as she simply stared into space. As he walked into the great hall, the infant wrapped up in the blanket, and not making a sound, there was a flurry of activity as people rushed to see the royal heir. His most loyal friend, and soldier stepped ahead to clear the way.

“Stand by, stand by,” he called.

The king mounted the steps to the throne and stood before it.

“Here ye all,” he called his voice deep and gruff, “This boy will one day be king, and while I may be a good king, he will be the greatest, all should rejoice and come to love Monague, prince of Grata Land!”

Continue reading “Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 6: Twice Blessed, Twice Cursed”

Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 5: The House That Could Not Sell

This is the fifth in a series of 365 Flash Fiction stories I’m writing from 2nd December 2012 until the 1st December 2013. It’s intent is to keep me writing throughout the year, and not just in November. you can find out more about the challenge here.

The House That Could Not Sell, by Jonathan L. Lawrence, 6th December 2012

Word count: 542

Theme: Supernatural, ghosts, haunted house

The story:

“Okay, whatever you do, don’t scream,” a voice said to no one in particular, the house was empty. “When are they going to move in?” the ghost sighed.

Five years later, the living room was host to a disembodied voice again, “If anyone’s there, whatever you do, don’t scream,” it said wearily. “No one? Nothing? Well I’m coming out, this is stupid.”

From the centre of the room a ghostly figured emerged. He was a youngish man, dressed in an 80’s suit, with appropriate shoulder pads, and ghostly snake skin belt.

“Well this place has seen better days,” he said screwing up his face in disgust. “It was perfectly clean when I lived here.”

Continue reading “Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 5: The House That Could Not Sell”