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101 Word Short Stories

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How To Survive the Apocalypse

November 13, 2025 8 Comments

By Kim deLeon

We thought it would arrive with bloody knuckles, glinting knives clutched in teeth. But it crept in, a fraction of a degree at a time. When the oceans rose, neighbors opened their homes freely; knives never entered the picture. The grocery chains collapsed and our librarian filled the shelves with seeds—we all contributed.

There was death, of course, and plenty of it, and we held each other’s tears and memories. Weren’t we surprised the first time strangers arrived, looking for food and a fight. Weren’t they surprised to be met by gentleness, a basket of bread, and invited to stay.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michelle Mellon says

    November 13, 2025 at 12:18 pm

    Lovely. We need more of this for today and tomorrow’s troubles. 🙂

    Reply
  2. J Dann says

    November 13, 2025 at 3:53 pm

    This is wonderful

    Reply
  3. Vivian says

    November 13, 2025 at 5:19 pm

    So gentle and unexpected.

    Reply
  4. Toni Brayer says

    November 19, 2025 at 10:46 am

    I really like this. So thought provoking.

    Reply
    • Rachel R says

      November 19, 2025 at 5:40 pm

      I love this! It’s such a cute, inviting spin on the apocalypse.

      Reply
  5. B Crouse says

    November 19, 2025 at 10:49 am

    Wonderful. Could have gone many ways – this choice invites much reflection.

    Reply
  6. Ramona Taylor says

    November 19, 2025 at 11:37 pm

    Few words yet so profound

    Reply
  7. K F Lerner says

    November 20, 2025 at 1:03 pm

    Amen

    Reply

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