Microfiction
The mysterious woman's hidden front
That year, the drug enforcement department of the city's Public Security Bureau received a tip that a mysterious woman had been particularly active in the drug market recently. Her "goods" were of high purity and large quantity, and she was very assertive, but the bureau knew nothing about her specific information. Was the rumor true, and was there really such a person? The pressure of drug enforcement work was great, and the drug enforcement department began to arrange and secretly deploy nervously.
By John Bruce2 years ago in Fiction
You Need Carbs
"You're so thin!" her mother exclaimed. It was unclear from her tone or expression whether she thought this was a good thing or a bad thing. Sandy gnawed on her nails, and then stopped before her mother could slap her hand away. It felt even now, as if someone or something was closing in. She resisted the urge to keep looking over her shoulder. Her mother's home was richly decorated for Christmas I and maybe it was this that made her feel line her mental health was threatening to unravel. It was as if she'd associated all the festive trappings with horrors, panic, and sadness. The nasty little elf was always in the corner of her vision. "Are you okay, honey?" her mother looked worried. "There was something on the news about Karl and... That fire was an accident, wasn't it? Only..." "It was an accident, Mum," Sanay mumbled. "They think I set it on purpose because there was something spilled on the rug, that's all." "And they really put you in... one of those places? Just for that?" I need to tell her everything, but it will worry her. And it does sound pretty crazy... "You know, her mum carried on, "It's a good thing Karl dropped the kids here that night. the said you were under a lot of strain and needed a night off... Sunay? Are you sure you're okay?" "Mum..." Sandy croaked, "Say that again... about Karl... "Well, you were under pressure and running yourself ragged so he - " "No," Sandy said, voice shaking, "You said he brought the children here? Where did he take them after that?" "He said an old school friend had an Air BnB... He said it would just be until all this fuss settled down. To tell you the truth, I think he was worried the kids would be taken away because, well, you know..." Sandy's hands shook, and she stuffed them under her own thighs. Because everyone thought I was crazy. This ugly little thought was drowned out by another larger one: I can find them. I can get them back. I can get answers. Clear my name. Convince everyone I'm sane.... "Mum? Do you have me address for that Air BnB?"
By L.C. Schäfer2 years ago in Fiction
Body Graffiti
A green patch over a red coat tucked into brown corduroys and rain boots scooted across the street. Light snow drifted down like soft sifting of powdered sugar for a confection. The bell pealed when he shut the door. The owner brushed by the young man.
By Skyler Saunders2 years ago in Fiction
The Artist's Secret Part 3
There is a blur line between dreams and reality. ********************************************************************** We met Clara, a freelance sketch artist who stumbled on her neighbour, Mr. Bellamy dragging a suspiciously familiar package as she looked out the window. She then receives a disturbing note.
By Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin2 years ago in Fiction
Hitchhiking
With no clouds to shroud the stars, the cold was bone deep and aching. The streets were deserted, the silence broken only by the occasional hum and zip of uncaring traffic. No one looked twice at her. I probably look homeless, Sandy thought. Even if they know me from Instagram, they wouldn't recognise me. This was both a blessing and a curse. Her online presence was her livelihood, and the only way she could support herself and her children. But if people recognised her, would they be more inclined to give her a lift? Hitchhiking was not an appealing prospect, but how else could she get home? Fear would it's way around her guts and pulled tight. There are some crazy people about. She could hear the purr of a car behind her, and craned her neck to squint at the driver. I'd be safer if it was a woman, right? Unable to see clearly through the headlights glare, she let the car zip past her, and trudged on. She didn't feel safe thumbing a lift from a stranger unseen. Her mind raced with thoughts of her children. She had to find them, but she needed to be smart about it. She couldn’t help them if she froze to death. Next car. The next car she saw, she'd flag them down. The next one was a long time coming. She tried to warm her fingers from the flame of the lighter, but it was useless. To distract herself from the gnawing midwinter cold, she turned her thoughts to Karl. Her husband was behind this, she was sure of it. But where would he have taken the children? Where could she look for clues, with her home burnt to a shell? When another car finally approached, she took her courage in both hands, and waved frantically at it. It did no good. This made it easier to try again when another rumbled by a few minutes later. I must look mad. Hood pulled up for warmth, she dialled back the frantic waving to a more resigned thumb. Now I probably look shifty. The first light of dawn tinged the sky, and panic set in her blood. The staff would be awake soon. They'd find her missing. She'd hoped to be much further away by now! At last, a truck pulled over. The driver, an older man with a kind face, offered her a ride. She accepted gratefully, explaining that she needed to get home. He didn’t ask many questions. When she arrived, the sight of her burnt house brought tears to her eyes. She made her way to the attached garage, which the fire hadn't reached. She found the hidden key in the flowerpot and let herself in. Inside the garage, she located the safe with all the spare keys. She entered the code and retrieved the key to her car. With a deep breath, she started the car and drove to her mother’s house. She needed help, and her mother was the only person she could trust. When she arrived, she banged on the door, her heart pounding. Her mother opened the door, her eyes widening in shock. “What happened to you?”
By L.C. Schäfer2 years ago in Fiction
