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101 Word Short Stories

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The Uncalled

December 15, 2021 14 Comments

By Melanie Mulrooney

The Visitors first arrived on a Tuesday. Harbingers of hope, they brought news of a thriving world and the promise of safety from a dying planet.

They returned each week with a list of names selected for the journey to New Haven. The Uncalled waited, assured their time would come.

But as time passed, worry grew. The Uncalled questioned reasons for selection: Attitude? Ancestry? Ability? Would smaller numbers increase the odds of winning?

Some neighbors became The Disappeared.

When the final Tuesday came, The Visitors did not. And as their world met its end, the last of The Uncalled finally understood.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary says

    December 15, 2021 at 10:25 am

    Wow. I can feel the hope, and then fear of the Uncalled. Excellent work.

    Reply
    • Melanie says

      December 15, 2021 at 4:27 pm

      Thanks so much!

      Reply
  2. Derek says

    December 15, 2021 at 10:26 am

    A good classic sci-fi plot condensed into 101 words. Excellent.

    Reply
    • Melanie says

      December 15, 2021 at 4:28 pm

      Really appreciate your comment, thank you!

      Reply
  3. M says

    December 15, 2021 at 11:14 am

    Would love to see this wonderful flash fiction turned into a longer story.

    Reply
    • Melanie says

      December 15, 2021 at 4:28 pm

      Thanks so much! I am considering that!

      Reply
  4. Ekta Garg says

    December 15, 2021 at 1:54 pm

    I want more! Please consider turning this into a longer work, and keep me posted when you do. I love the possibilities this little piece suggests!

    Reply
    • Melanie says

      December 15, 2021 at 4:29 pm

      Thanks for the kind comment! I am thinking about turning this into a longer piece for sure.

      Reply
  5. Andy Lee says

    December 15, 2021 at 5:38 pm

    Brilliant! Well done, sister!!

    Reply
    • Melanie says

      December 15, 2021 at 6:17 pm

      Thanks for reading and commenting, Andy!

      Reply
  6. Debbie Boudreau says

    December 15, 2021 at 10:15 pm

    I also think it would make a beautiful animated short. It does make me want to hear more. Well done Melanie.

    Reply
    • Melanie says

      December 16, 2021 at 8:10 am

      What a lovely and interesting idea! Thanks Debbie!

      Reply
  7. Ginger says

    December 16, 2021 at 6:34 am

    Draws the reader in wanting more. I definitely agree it could be a book I would read. Bravo.

    Reply
    • Melanie says

      December 16, 2021 at 8:10 am

      Thanks so much, Ginger!

      Reply

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