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101 Word Short Stories

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The End

September 10, 2024 8 Comments

By Lucy Carrick

His body is limp and dull. I trace the wrinkles in his face like thin cracks in glass. I’m surprised at how old he’s become.

I tell the doctors to turn the machine off. The beeping flatlines. His body doesn’t change. He almost looks peaceful.

The nurses try to console me, rationalising that I’m too numb to respond; grief does that, they say. They continue speaking but I can’t listen to the words. A nurse places her hand against mine. Her skin is warm and soft. I nod silently, words choking my throat.

At least they think it was an accident.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stella says

    September 10, 2024 at 6:44 am

    Love the twist! Excellent

    Reply
  2. Kathy Carroll says

    September 10, 2024 at 8:47 am

    Terrific micro mystery!

    Reply
  3. Raghunathan Kuppuswamy says

    September 11, 2024 at 6:53 am

    the sting in the tail!!

    Reply
  4. Ed Kratz says

    September 11, 2024 at 3:39 pm

    Great twist. Well done.

    Reply
  5. Sue D says

    September 11, 2024 at 6:23 pm

    . “I trace the wrinkles in his face like thin cracks in glass.” Love the visual on this. And the ending hits in the gut. Well done.

    Reply
  6. Geraint J says

    September 14, 2024 at 2:10 pm

    Powerful & poignant.

    Reply
  7. Faith says

    September 16, 2024 at 10:19 pm

    Great ending!

    Reply
  8. Kelly Louisa Balliu says

    September 18, 2024 at 4:56 am

    Ooooo…wicked but superb 🙂

    Reply

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