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101 Word Short Stories

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Dreams of Escape

December 20, 2025 3 Comments

By Kirsty Nottage

In the hollowest of hollows, she lay, squeezing herself flat against the compacted earth. She dreamed of somewhere better, but options were scarce in this austere wilderness.

His heavy footsteps echoed through the ground, a cruel counterpoint to her trembling.

She buried her face in the dirt—her eyes refusing to watch what her mind already knew.

The steps stopped.

Then came that cold laugh—familiar, yet alien.

She went limp as he dragged her from her shallow sanctuary.

“I missed you, my Lisbeth.” His voice was hollow; his smile and vows, empty.

Like the home she’d tried to leave behind.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. L.L. Keyes says

    December 23, 2025 at 3:20 pm

    Really gripping! Great last line. ?

    Reply
    • L.L. Keyes says

      December 23, 2025 at 3:22 pm

      I’m not sure why it put a “?” in my comment! It was an emoji that was meant to signify “wow!”

      Reply
  2. L Swailes says

    December 30, 2025 at 6:36 am

    Fantastic, always leaves me wanting more.

    Reply

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