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101 Word Short Stories

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What If?

January 20, 2026 7 Comments

By Collette Night

Her boots squelched in the thick mud. Chores sucked. Chores in the dark, before sunlight dusted the horizon, sucked worse.

Wheezing breaths rasped into the chilly air. Asthma be damned, she worked hard collecting eggs from hens that pecked at her hands, feeding pigs that squealed like her nightmares.

Each crack of the axe thundered across the misty hillside. Out here, at least, she was free. Alone. Safe.

She glanced toward the log cabin. Water pipes rattled. He would be showering, waiting.

The feed bucket fell to the ground.

A stray thought, uninvited, danced within her mind.

What if she didn’t…

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Paul Scott Wood says

    January 21, 2026 at 10:52 am

    Sad story, but one that many young girls who have an abusive father or step-father are forced to endure.

    Reply
    • Collette Night says

      January 28, 2026 at 4:14 am

      Yes, such a sad reality for so many.

      Reply
  2. Patti R. says

    January 21, 2026 at 11:30 am

    Love your word choices and imagery. She has choices… or not. Great ending!

    Reply
    • Collette Night says

      January 28, 2026 at 4:12 am

      Thank you!!

      Reply
    • Collette Night says

      January 28, 2026 at 4:13 am

      That means so much!

      Reply
  3. Bud Pharo says

    January 21, 2026 at 2:42 pm

    Great line: A stray thought, uninvited, danced within her mind. Very nicely done!

    Reply
    • Collette Night says

      January 28, 2026 at 4:13 am

      Thank you so much!

      Reply

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