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101 Word Short Stories

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Adam’s Last Gift

February 17, 2022 28 Comments

By Kristine Laco

In Adam’s Antiques, Joan licked the envelope, pressed the seal. She kissed the address of her dead husband’s insurance provider, and chuckled.

She felt a draft. Ducking chandeliers and dodging dusty heirlooms, she snaked her way to the only window. It was tightly shut. What the—?

The chill followed her. She raced to outrun it, but the cold crept through her veins.

Joan knocked into an armoire laden with WWII trench knives. One Adam had cherished toppled off and lodged itself deep in her chest. She stumbled and fell.

With her last breath, she caught the blade’s inscription: For Joan.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carmen says

    February 17, 2022 at 10:27 am

    Brilliant! Creepy and captivating!

    Reply
    • Kristine Laco says

      February 22, 2022 at 2:48 pm

      Thanks. Bonus for the alliteration in the comment!

      Reply
  2. Poppy says

    February 17, 2022 at 1:17 pm

    Oh my goodness, I had chills reading it! It had my close attention the whole time, I had to know what was going to happen next. Excellent piece!

    Reply
    • Kristine Laco says

      February 22, 2022 at 2:49 pm

      Glad you got to the end quick since it sounds stressful 🙂

      Reply
  3. Laura says

    February 17, 2022 at 1:23 pm

    So spooky! You really capture a lot in 101 words!

    Reply
  4. Liz says

    February 17, 2022 at 1:27 pm

    Ohhhh, “For Joan”!!! I loved it. So much in so few words.

    Reply
  5. Maglin says

    February 17, 2022 at 3:22 pm

    Amazing read!

    Reply
  6. Deb says

    February 17, 2022 at 6:44 pm

    Adam’s revenge! A great read in so few words.

    Reply
  7. Daphne says

    February 17, 2022 at 7:08 pm

    Awesome, so much in so few words.

    Reply
  8. Christie C says

    February 17, 2022 at 8:31 pm

    Most excellent!

    Reply
  9. Sperry says

    February 17, 2022 at 8:53 pm

    I want to know more. Alas, only a 101 words. However those 101 words packed with curiosity, suspense and revenge.

    Reply
    • Sam says

      February 19, 2022 at 4:12 pm

      Amazing how you managed to tell a whole story in so few words!! Well done Kris!

      Reply
  10. Joy says

    February 17, 2022 at 9:47 pm

    I felt like I was is the antique shop!
    Loved the ending.

    Reply
  11. Jodie says

    February 17, 2022 at 11:14 pm

    That was awesome! As the saying goes….What comes around goes around.

    Reply
  12. Kelly Louisa Balliu says

    February 18, 2022 at 7:09 am

    Suitably spooky…
    Nice one Adam!

    Reply
    • Kristine Laco says

      February 22, 2022 at 2:50 pm

      Badass even from the grave. Thx for reading.

      Reply
  13. ren says

    February 18, 2022 at 9:11 am

    wonderful! I love it!

    Reply
    • Kristine Laco says

      February 25, 2022 at 9:11 am

      Appreciate the read!

      Reply
  14. CJ Harrell says

    February 23, 2022 at 7:27 am

    Love a story that ends in just desserts!

    Reply
  15. Nancy Rule says

    February 23, 2022 at 9:18 pm

    the title is especially good without giving it away – good job

    Reply
    • Kristine Laco says

      February 25, 2022 at 9:11 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  16. Cathy Cade says

    February 24, 2022 at 4:57 am

    Gone to meet her murderer…
    (another story?)

    Reply
    • Kristine Laco says

      February 25, 2022 at 8:24 am

      Possibly…

      Reply
  17. Ekta Garg says

    February 24, 2022 at 2:17 pm

    So good! But poor Joan. Maybe she had good intentions for the insurance money…?

    Great job!

    Reply
    • Kristine Laco says

      February 25, 2022 at 8:23 am

      I doubt it, but we’ll never know 🙂

      Reply
  18. Jac Harmon says

    February 24, 2022 at 4:08 pm

    I love a spooky read and this is a neat little chiller.

    Reply
    • Kristine Laco says

      February 25, 2022 at 8:24 am

      Thanks, Jac. Out of my own comfort zone, but fun to work with.

      Reply
  19. Kristine Laco says

    February 28, 2022 at 12:29 pm

    Thanks!

    Reply

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