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101 Word Short Stories

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October 18, 2024 28 Comments

By Harris Hawk

Tap tap tap. The cane reassures as it hits the ground before me. My guide. When it flounders abruptly, I halt, moving it, searching, until it meets a surface again. Tap tap tap. On we go.

A massive hand clamps my wrist. A muscular arm encircles my waist.

“Let go!” Still, I’m ferried onward. “Help me—HELP!”

They flock to my aid, dragging him off me, frogmarching him away.

“Stupid darn woman, I was only trying to help her onto the train!”

On board, my fingers curl around the rarest prize these days: a man’s wallet, brimming with cash. I smile.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Maria says

    October 19, 2024 at 7:38 am

    That was a surprise at the end!

    Reply
    • Harris Hawk says

      October 19, 2024 at 1:39 pm

      Hi Maria,
      Yes, I hoped I’d get you with that! Thanks for your comment.

      Reply
      • Alan Moskowitz says

        October 24, 2024 at 12:13 am

        Got me. We’ll done.

        Reply
  2. Julie says

    October 19, 2024 at 11:12 am

    Well done, HH! Gripping tale?

    Reply
    • Harris Hawk says

      October 19, 2024 at 1:38 pm

      Thanks Julie,
      Glad you enjoyed it – and yes: I guessed the question mark was a typo!

      Reply
  3. Julie says

    October 19, 2024 at 11:13 am

    That was supposed to be a winking emoji, not a question mark

    Reply
  4. Sarah Minnis says

    October 19, 2024 at 6:37 pm

    A very clever “tale of the unexpected” – congratulations!

    Reply
    • Harris Hawk says

      October 20, 2024 at 8:58 am

      Hi Sarah,
      Thanks for the positive words!

      Reply
  5. Deborah Mason says

    October 20, 2024 at 4:08 am

    Nice twist!

    Reply
    • Harris Hawk says

      October 20, 2024 at 9:00 am

      Hi Deb,
      That was the plan – glad it worked for you!

      Reply
  6. George (Sandra) Larke-Walsh says

    October 20, 2024 at 4:41 am

    Good imagery, especially the sound. The twist is a good one

    Reply
    • Harris Hawk says

      October 20, 2024 at 9:02 am

      Hi George,
      Thanks for the comments on the imagery. Glad the twist worked for you!

      Reply
  7. Emma says

    October 20, 2024 at 11:59 am

    Very good

    Reply
    • Harris Hawk says

      October 21, 2024 at 1:37 pm

      Hi Emma,
      Thanks – glad you think so!

      Reply
  8. Robert James Grant says

    October 20, 2024 at 5:30 pm

    There’s a lot in there for the length of it. And it leaves us with questions, too.
    Well done, HH!

    Reply
    • Harris Hawk says

      October 21, 2024 at 1:41 pm

      Hi Robert,
      I agree it leaves unanswered questions. That’s part of the fun of stories this length! Thanks for your lovely comments.

      Reply
  9. Jimmy says

    October 20, 2024 at 10:59 pm

    Love it – the twist at the end works really well.

    Reply
    • Harris Hawk says

      October 21, 2024 at 1:43 pm

      Hi Jimmy,
      Thanks. So pleased you enjoyed it, and also that the twist spun you around with it!

      Reply
  10. Diana says

    October 21, 2024 at 9:32 am

    Sparse, dark, funny – like it!

    Reply
    • Harris Hawk says

      October 21, 2024 at 1:48 pm

      Hi Diana,
      Yes, sparse is a good description, to help me pack content in. Thank you for the “dark” and “funny” comments. I’m glad you liked it!

      Reply
  11. Dori Francis says

    October 22, 2024 at 8:49 am

    Great twist to a neat story, well done

    Reply
    • Harris Hawk says

      October 22, 2024 at 5:52 pm

      Hi Dori,
      Thanks for your lovely words. Glad you liked it.

      Reply
  12. Cathy Cade says

    October 23, 2024 at 6:47 am

    Love it!
    Clearly, I’m not the only one.

    Reply
    • Harris Hawk says

      October 23, 2024 at 10:22 pm

      Hi Cathy,
      Thank you for your comment – really glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  13. dan says

    October 23, 2024 at 9:23 am

    not all sympathy is deserved

    Reply
    • Harris Hawk says

      October 23, 2024 at 10:23 pm

      Hi dan,
      Indeed not! I really appreciate your comment.

      Reply
  14. Ed Kratz says

    October 23, 2024 at 9:20 pm

    Wonderful twist. Loved it.

    Reply
    • Harris Hawk says

      October 23, 2024 at 10:24 pm

      Hi Ed,
      So glad it worked for you! Thanks for taking the time to comment.

      Reply

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