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101 Words

101 Word Short Stories

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Dressing Up

October 1, 2024 8 Comments

By Joel Bryant

“You done changing yet?” his angry voice barks from the other side of the door. He’s always like this when he needs to eat.

I am not ready, nowhere near. I have lost track of time again.

Flustered, I realise I have no choice. I will just have to go as I am. My new, pretty disguise will have to be abandoned.

“Will be with you in a minute, my love,” I respond.

Carefully I put my human skin back on, and with a pang of regret, leave my cosy nest.

“Hungry?” he asks with a slight smile.

“Starving,” I reply.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tim Goldstone says

    October 1, 2024 at 8:17 am

    Creating something as sinister as that in so few words is extremely skillful, especially in the horror genre – which often relies entirely on explicit descriptions of blood and gore.
    Clever title as well 🙂

    Reply
    • Joel Bryant says

      January 28, 2025 at 6:33 am

      Very belated response, apologies. Thank you Tim, for your very generous words.

      Reply
  2. Harris Hawk says

    October 2, 2024 at 9:58 am

    The first line hooked me and the rest fascinated me – wonderful!

    Reply
    • Joel Bryant says

      January 28, 2025 at 6:34 am

      Thank you, Harris Hawk, You are too kind.

      Reply
  3. Mike King says

    October 2, 2024 at 9:26 pm

    Put my human skin back on is a great line!

    Reply
    • Joel Bryant says

      January 28, 2025 at 6:35 am

      Thanks Mike. Much appreciated.

      Reply
  4. Ed Kratz says

    October 4, 2024 at 3:24 am

    I agree. So much underneath the surface here. And of course, the line about putting human skin back on can’t be beat.

    Reply
    • Joel Bryant says

      January 28, 2025 at 6:34 am

      Thanks Ed, I was quite proud of that particular line.

      Reply

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