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101 Word Short Stories

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Primary Threat

April 21, 2024 9 Comments

By Jhenn Kinnear

Kenna faced the dissident alone, the other hostages safely evacuated. Very little spooked a retired marine, yet she was sweating. This new job was supposed to be less stressful than active deployment.

Her tormentor rested his finger on the button, itching for carnage.

Kenna stood in the blast zone. “We don’t condone this behavior.” Her words sounded weak. Negotiation was pointless. “Right. Playtime’s over.”

Beady eyes shone with glee.

She lunged.

He switched on the fan.

“Noooo!” Kenna’s mouth filled with glitter as her tiny nemesis danced around the craft room in a sparkly mushroom cloud. War had nothing on kindergarten.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jim Pownall says

    April 21, 2024 at 4:10 am

    Ha! Love that surprise at the end.

    Reply
  2. Helen Ksypka says

    April 21, 2024 at 7:36 am

    This story is soooo good, and what a payoff! The last paragraph–I could feel the glitter in my mouth, and I could see the sparkly mushroom cloud.
    And the last line is a great ending. Loved it!

    Reply
  3. Shannon DG says

    April 21, 2024 at 7:56 am

    I was expecting a bloody ending, I was not disappointed!

    Reply
    • Helen Ksypka says

      April 21, 2024 at 10:35 am

      Ha, ha, Shannon. Your comment made me laugh so hard!

      Reply
  4. Chadd Lin says

    April 21, 2024 at 8:53 am

    Absolutely loved this story! Beautiful dark pose then it zooms out!

    Reply
  5. Dart Humeston says

    April 21, 2024 at 10:08 am

    Great story!

    Reply
  6. Toni Brayer says

    April 24, 2024 at 7:36 am

    Great title.

    Reply
  7. Bud says

    April 24, 2024 at 10:59 am

    Very clever!

    Reply
  8. Deborah Sale-Butler says

    April 24, 2024 at 4:38 pm

    Haha! Glitter is the herpes of the craft world. Fun and well done!

    Reply

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