Microfiction
Companion on the bus
Liu Wengang is a bus driver, and today it happens to be his shift. His wife calls him on the mobile phone, saying that his father, who lives in the countryside, has come, and asks him to go back early after work to accompany the old man. Liu Wengang hesitated for a moment, told his wife that he had just made an appointment with a few friends to have dinner, and asked her to settle his father first, and he would accompany him tomorrow, then hung up the phone.
By John Bruce2 years ago in Fiction
Mr Red
The problem with living such a long, long time is the yearning. Tonight, he was feeling melancholy, which wasn't terribly unusual, especially at this time of year. He was also feeling nostalgic, which wasn't something he often indulged in. Had he come here because of it? Or had it crept up on him when he realised where he was? He couldn't believe the club was still here after all these years. The sign over the door was broken, and there was no doorman anymore. No queue, either. Maybe it was just the time of day. Light hadn't yet left the sky. Before he knew what he was doing, his boots had led the way inside. It was poky and rundown, a fact that might have been disguised with the right lighting. Something dim and warm, not harsh like this. He found himself at the bar, and slotted himself there as if there were a self-made groove that fit him as well as his gloves. Have a drink with me, she'd said. Go on. Just one. It's Christmas... His mouth ordered a whiskey while his brain was distracted with the memory. It was gone in a swallow, and a second shot ordered while he was still remembering those wide eyes, soft feet, and polished blue toenails. The barman, knowing the smell of money when it was right under his nose, very helpfully set up a tab, and kept the drinks coming. By the time he was ensconced in a booth with creamy thighs and spiky heels dancing around him in a blur, it was too late. He was pretty much incapacitated, so much so that he hardly knew what day it was. For once, The Job was fAe from his mind. The Talent would kick in in a matter of hours, and when it came right down to it, he'd barely be behind schedule. "What?" the glittering red lips demanded. His shoulders slurred a shrug, hardly knowing how much he'd said aloud, or who to. She gyrated a little, and trailed a forefinger down the breast of his jacket. She softened her voice, made it sympathetic. "What's this Job that's got you so down?" She doesn't really care. It's all an act. A lie. Because she wants money. "Stop it, Bunny," he drawled. "I can be your Bunny," she husked. "Blue toenails. And big... Big eyes. Bigger 'n yourn," he said. "Sure," the girl rolled her eyes. "Big "eyes". And did you spend a long time staring at them?" He looked up, helpless. "She's gone you know," he mumbled. "Dead, probably." "Oh. Oh, sorry." She didn't sound sorry. He wished she hadn't said anything. "D'you know..." He forced the words out, it was like they themselves knew they shouldn't be escaping and tried to hide under his tongue. "D'you wanna know a seekree... A sickrit?" She took a wary step back, and even in this state and without touching her, he could feel her tremble. "Put it this way. Guess how many's on the Nice List. G'wan. Guess." Blessed silence. "None. Not a single one."
By L.C. Schäfer2 years ago in Fiction
Retirement
"And so, we'd just like to say 'Thanks John' and hope you don't miss us too much in your retirement!" The staff laughed as John accepted the gift offered and forced a smile. He was seventy years old: seventy years strong. He hadn't wanted to go; did it for the young ones with families. Compulsory redundancy would hit them harder. Space needed to be made.
By Rachel Deeming2 years ago in Fiction
A Bloody Christmas
Once upon a cold Night. It was the night before Christmas, and all was still in the frosty neighborhood. Snow blanketed the ground, muffling every sound, and Tommy’s house glowed softly with multicolored lights. Inside, eleven-year-old Tommy sat perched on his bed, wrapped in his favorite blanket, peering out the window into the wintery darkness.
By Lynn Myers2 years ago in Fiction
Lights
To walk out and stop for a while, seeing beautiful lights decoring trees and letting you drift like a dreamer into their magical world.To watch them rising and falling like shooting stars along their destined path, sometimes silver like a star or the moon or sometimes all the colours of a celestial rainbow.On an evening walk you can fall like a dreamer into the magical places they welcome you to.Your soul is soothed, sour spirits lifted and your heart given wings.Twinkling in the darkness, bringing brightness into our lives, letting your eyes weave beautiful shapes to bring magic into your life.Walk out and let the lights guide you toward greater happiness.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 2 years ago in Fiction
A Barbecue
Secrets lie below the embers. -Michelle Liew ********************************************************************** It took little for Detective George Lee to unmask lies. The smell of fear, uneven breaths, shifting gazes - they all painted vivid pictures clearer than any confession could. Emma Kong’s unease spoke louder than words.
By Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin2 years ago in Fiction
Confessions of a Barber
Fuqing, also known as Brother Fuqing, opened a small barbershop in the northwest corner of Yangzhou City. With his incredibly nimble razor, he and his mother barely managed to scrape by. However, this summer, Yangzhou suffered a severe drought, and the crops failed completely. Everyone was struggling to feed themselves, let alone have their hair cut. As a result, Fuqing and his mother were going hungry, tightening their belts and waiting for the government's relief funds.
By John Bruce2 years ago in Fiction
The Greatest Gift We’ve Been Given (Merry Christmas)
Isaiah 9:6–7 NIVFor to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7] Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
By Michelle Renee Kidwell2 years ago in Fiction
