Win Cash Prizes & Get Professional Feedback @ Flash Fiction Magazine
Learn More
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

101 Words

101 Word Short Stories

  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Volunteer

Afterlife Cafe

October 21, 2021 13 Comments

By Sally R. Simon

“I’ve been waiting for you your whole life,” Gerry’s toothy smile was as grim as his dark clothing. “No one’s told you that before?”

Of all Mary’s Tinder dates, this had to be the creepiest. She glanced at her phone. “I have to check my parking meter.”

“Your time has expired. Take a look.” Gerry’s red eyes motioned outside.

Beyond the window, Mary watched herself feeding money into the parking meter. A car careened down the hill. She saw herself bracing for impact: squealing brakes, the crushing blow, the screams.

Mary dropped her phone.

Gerry’s scythe tattoo glowed. Another soul harvested.

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

The Power of Imagery with Nina Schuyler

September 12 & 13 on Zoom
Enrollment closes Thursday, September 3 at 7:00 PM Pacific

If your descriptions are vivid but your stories still feel thin, this workshop is for you.

Join award-winning author Nina Schuyler to learn the difference between description, which tells a reader what things look like, and imagery, which carries plot, character, and meaning at the same time.

In just two days, you'll learn to choose images that hold emotion without naming it, pair them so each one deepens the other, and build patterns that gather meaning as the story moves.

Learn More and Enroll

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Helen C says

    October 21, 2021 at 7:42 am

    Very creepy!

    Reply
  2. Coco says

    October 21, 2021 at 8:50 am

    The details fit together well.
    Nicely done!

    Reply
  3. Valli Henry-Boldini says

    October 21, 2021 at 11:01 am

    Oooh… nice tale… enjoyed the read… kudos…

    Reply
  4. Derek says

    October 21, 2021 at 1:48 pm

    This would be a great Halloween story. I enjoyed it

    Reply
  5. ellen finnegan says

    October 21, 2021 at 2:58 pm

    “Your time has expired.”
    WOW

    Reply
  6. Lexa says

    October 21, 2021 at 8:14 pm

    A grim tale of reaping.
    Be careful what you sow ??? ?
    Loved it!

    Reply
  7. Sandra says

    October 21, 2021 at 10:24 pm

    Dang! That gripped my attention from the first line, the hair on my arms stood on end! What a perfect season for this read.

    Reply
  8. Ryan says

    October 22, 2021 at 11:09 am

    So fun!!! Harvesting souls! Love the tattoo.

    Reply
  9. Maria Makis says

    October 22, 2021 at 9:19 pm

    Just in time for Halloween!

    Reply
  10. Nina says

    October 27, 2021 at 8:29 am

    Love this! Would love another Gerry tale, great character!

    Reply
  11. Rita+Riebel-Mitchell says

    October 29, 2021 at 2:05 am

    Enjoyed the read… it is creepy.

    Reply
  12. David says

    October 29, 2021 at 5:11 am

    Perfectly constructed. Enjoyed it.

    Reply
  13. Kelly Louisa Balliu says

    October 29, 2021 at 5:38 pm

    Loved the last line. Creepy, with a humorous lilt. Good story.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search Stories

The end.