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101 Words

101 Word Short Stories

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Mess

October 28, 2020 9 Comments

By Will Simpson

She teetered on the ledge, three stories up. Her tattered nightgown flapped like moths making for the moon. We all gasped when she dangled her dirty, bare sole. I felt a responsibility. Guilty, almost. And utterly powerless. I positioned myself beneath her, as if to catch her, but a policeman pushed me back.

When the woman behind me shrieked, I put my head down and looked at the concrete pavement. No more could be done, so I started walking. Kept on walking. Looking back over my shoulder, I hoped the mess she made would cover the one I made of her.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jinna says

    October 28, 2020 at 9:21 am

    Gripping story!

    Reply
  2. Mary A Gorman says

    October 28, 2020 at 10:33 am

    Wow I was there with you excellent writing

    Reply
  3. Rosemary Johnson says

    October 28, 2020 at 1:37 pm

    A lot of detail, makes it more real.
    Not being able to look – an excellent device in flash.
    Great last line.

    Reply
  4. Shoshauna says

    October 28, 2020 at 3:25 pm

    The last seven words snapped this all into place. Kudos!

    Reply
  5. Brian says

    October 28, 2020 at 3:35 pm

    Wow…an excellent, powerful story.

    Reply
  6. Jeff Stone says

    October 28, 2020 at 7:30 pm

    The story impresses even before an effective denouement. This is a fabulous economy of words: great story arc and wonderful imagery as well as pleasing meter and alliteration. The second sentence in particular is poetic. It’s rare to see the constraints of flash fiction managed so adroitly.

    Reply
  7. Raymond Sloan says

    October 29, 2020 at 2:40 am

    Great story. Well done, Will.

    Reply
  8. Michael Bloomfield says

    October 29, 2020 at 3:49 am

    Impressive tale in 101 words

    Reply
  9. Ian Christie says

    November 4, 2020 at 11:40 am

    Paints a vivid picture

    Reply

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