“memory stick”: a 50-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 243

April 8, 2022April 8, 2022 Bruce Gilham, Molly fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

Molly holds the memory stick she took from Gilham’s flat.

She should hand it in, to the police.

It might contain useful information.

Evidence, even.

But Gilham concealed it for a reason.

Perhaps he didn’t want the police to find it.

She slips it into the slot on her laptop.

…

This is the two-hundred-and-forty-first story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.

This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account.

Hive is a blogging platform that rewards posts in a cryptocurrency (Hive).

You will find over 70 more Humpbuckle Tales on the @humbuckletales Hive blog (so this blog is about 6 weeks behind)

On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).

On HumpbuckleTales.com I also publish 12 tales a week but at a different schedule (and about 6 weeks behind): 2 Tales every day, Monday-Friday and 1 Tale on Saturday and 1 Tale on Sunday.

…

Written by Bruce Arbuckle (@felt.buzz on Hive). Find the latest in the Humpbuckle Tales series on Hive

“they are coming”: a 50-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 230

April 1, 2022March 30, 2022 Bruce Molly fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

The King’s Head Pub doors crash open.

A man falls through.

The gentle murmur of conversation dies suddenly.

The man’s clothes are torn and dirty, his face bruised and bloody.

Molly leaps over the bar and kneels at the man’s side.

He looks her in the eyes.

“They are coming!”

…

This is the two-hundred-and-thirtieth story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.

This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account.

Hive is a blogging platform that rewards posts in a cryptocurrency (Hive).

You will find over 70 more Humpbuckle Tales on the @humbuckletales Hive blog (so this blog is about 6 weeks behind)

On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).

On HumpbuckleTales.com I also publish 12 tales a week but at a different schedule (and about 6 weeks behind): 2 Tales every day, Monday-Friday and 1 Tale on Saturday and 1 Tale on Sunday.

…

“funeral”: a 50-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 73

December 30, 2021December 18, 2021 Bruce Molly fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

Gilham made Molly promise she wouldn’t attend his funeral.

“There’ll be people there who hated my guts. Crying crocodile tears, spouting sentimental untruths! I want you to raise a glass to me here.”

She pours two pints, places one in front of Gilham’s favorite stool, and silently toasts her friend.

…

This is the seventy-third story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.

This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account.

Hive is a blogging platform that rewards posts in a cryptocurrency (Hive).

You will find over 70 more Humpbuckle Tales on the @humbuckletales Hive blog (so this blog is about 6 weeks behind)

On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).

On HumpbuckleTales.com I also publish 12 tales a week but at a different schedule (and about 6 weeks behind): 2 Tales every day, Monday-Friday and 1 Tale on Saturday and 1 Tale on Sunday.

You can watch the author read the first 22 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast.

…

“potato chips”: a fifty-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 71

December 29, 2021December 18, 2021 Bruce Holbert, Molly fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

Molly discovers the thumb drive in a bag of frozen chips.

Holbert searches Gilham’s office, she empties the fridge , a thankless, vomit-inducing task.

Throwing the bag of chips into the trash she notices the small device.

She almost calls Holbert, but hesitates, then slips the stick into her pocket

…

This is the seventy-first story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.

This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account.

Hive is a blogging platform that rewards posts in a cryptocurrency (Hive).

You will find over 70 more Humpbuckle Tales on the @humbuckletales Hive blog (so this blog is about 6 weeks behind)

On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).

On HumpbuckleTales.com I also publish 12 tales a week but at a different schedule (and about 6 weeks behind): 2 Tales every day, Monday-Friday and 1 Tale on Saturday and 1 Tale on Sunday.

You can watch the author read the first 22 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast.

…

“Morning Traffic” a 50-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 39

November 16, 2021 Bruce Gilham, Gilham's Flat, Molly fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

Through the grimy window, Holbert hears morning traffic.

“Is Gilham’s flat always this… messy?” He hopes his disgust is hidden.

“First time I’ve been here,” Molly says, pulling on rubber gloves. She bends down and begins to pick through the trash.

Watching her closely, he begins the search for clues.

…

This is the thirty-ninth story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.

This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published Tale number 72. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).

You can watch the author read the first 22 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast.

…

“Second Attempt” a fifty-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 38

November 14, 2021 Bruce Gilham's Flat, Holbert, Molly, Snump fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

It’s Holbert’s second attempt to gain access to Gilham’s flat.

He’s with Molly. She’s tasked with clearing the old man’s stuff so Snump can relet.

The landlord clearly doesn’t like the police.

The feeling, Holbert thinks, is mutual.

The flat is a mess.

Almost as though it’s already been searched.

…

This is the thirty-eighth story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.

This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published Tales numbers 65-70. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).

If you prefer the drip drip drip approach keep coming back here for one 50-word tale every day!

You can watch the author read the first 22 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast.

…

“a good thing”: a 50-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 27

November 2, 2021 Bruce Gilham, humpbuckletales, Molly fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

Gilham checks his watch.

Molly is late.

He pulls an envelope from his pocket and scrawls a note.

Molly,

I’ve given up, can’t hold on. Forgive me!

Gilham

Molly rounds the corner, breathless.

Gilham stuffs the note into his coat, smiling.

“Good thing you’re here! I was about to go!”

…

This is the twenty-seventh story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.

This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published number 48. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).

If you prefer the drip drip drip approach keep coming back here for one 50-word tale every day!

You can watch the author read the first 22 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast. The 3rd author reading will be published on 15th November.

…

“TrapDoor”a fifty-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 23

October 29, 2021 Bruce Molly, The Kings Head fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

You think you are walking on solid ground.

Until the rug is violently pulled from beneath your feet.

Hearing of Gilham’s suicide a trapdoor opens in Molly’s mind.

She tumbles into darkness.

How did she miss his depression?

Her last words to him – “Foolish old man” – echo around her brain.

…

This is the twenty-third story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.

This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published number 38. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).

If you prefer the drip drip drip approach keep coming back here for one 50-word tale every day!

You can watch the author read the first 10 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast. The 2nd author reading is scheduled for Monday 1st November.

…

Gilham’s End 1: the gods must be crazy (Humpbuckle Tales 17)

October 23, 2021 Bruce Gilham, humpbuckletales, Molly, The Kings Head fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

According to Gilham, the world was created in an asylum for crazy gods.

“The universe makes sense,” he says. “When you realise it is simply the ravings of insane deities.”

“Drink up, foolish old man,” Molly chuckles. “Go home. Take that smelly coat with you.”

Gilham drains his pint, smiling.

…

This is the seventeenth in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.

This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published number 27. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).

If you prefer the drip drip drip approach keep coming back here for one 50-word tale every day!

You can watch the author read the first 10 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast. The 2nd author reading is scheduled for 1st November.

“musk ox” a fifty-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 16

October 22, 2021 Bruce Chloe, Gilham, Molly, The Kings Head fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

“Can we throw this away?”

Chloe stands in the doorway holding Gilham’s old coat.

“No.”

“It smells like rotting flesh.”

“Put it back.”

Gilham loved that old coat.

“My grandmother killed this musk ox with her bare hands,” he’d boast.

Gilham was World Champion of Bullshit.

Molly misses him desperately.

…

This is the sixteenth in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.

This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published number 27. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).

If you prefer the drip drip drip approach keep coming back here for one 50-word tale every day!

You can watch the author read the first 10 Humpbuckle Tales on YouTube or you can listen to it as a podcast. The 2nd author reading is scheduled for 1st November.