The Word Thief
No More, No Less (word counters are not universal? - this is 200 according to Scrivener).
"I know why you're here."
"You do?"
Jaxon sighed, annoyed. "Aye. There's only one reason people seek me out in this fetid, sorry excuse for a tavern."
"I... well—"
"How many are we stealing?" Jaxon interrupted, cigar tip poised, exhaling a bulbous gray cloud into the already hazy air.
"Two hundred. Exactly."
"And whose are they?"
"God's."
He almost choked on his smoke. That'll be a first, Jaxon thought, glowering at the bald, gaunt man, his dark eyes serious.
"You're serious?"
"Aye."
"Two hundred, exactly?"
"No more, no less."
"$111 to get it done."
"Deal!"
"Hundred and five minutes," Jaxon yawned, adjusting his copper pendant's outer rings with precision.
And suddenly, he was in a white-washed cathedral, staring at a faceless man. He stood at a podium of cascading paper, scribbling a soundless quill in the eerie silence.
The floor was covered in countless, one-word pages, millions of them, springy beneath his feet.
Jaxon barely had to move. He counted forty words left and stood to fumble with his pendant.
Guess I'll be getting paid sooner than I anticipated, he thought.
The no-faced man jolted up from his podium, and Jaxon felt nothing but malice.
Oh, I don't think so.
About the Creator
JP Harris
I like writing kooky stories
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
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Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Excellent storytelling
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Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
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Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
Compelling and original writing
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Writing reflected the title & theme
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Comments (10)
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great job congratulations
triging nice one
This was such a cool concept! You did a fantastic job on this story!
I was so grabbed by your title, I had to come by and check this out - and I’m thrilled I did. So creative! Congrats
This is so unique and well written! I love ones that make me go, "wait, what? Must re-read!" I loved it! Congrats on TS! Subscribed :)
Intriguing. More please. 👍
This js great
So clever and creative!
Your numerical inside jokes make this 200-word story very clever!