“spartan”: a 50-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 215

Holbert’s flat, a one-bedroom affair on the outskirts of Humpbuckle-on-sea, has what his mother would have called “a spartan look about it.”

If a friend was being charitable they might refer to it as minimalist.

But not in a good way.

The furniture has seen better days.

This is the two-hundred-and-fifteenth 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

The Humpbuckle-on-sea Museum of the Mysterious (6 of 6): “no sleep” Humpbuckle Tales 214

Lilly hesitates.

It’s all very odd.

She’s no idea how she got here.

Now, she is being offered refreshments by a dead man.

Has she lost her mind?

She wouldn’t be the first old woman to develop dementia.

Taking a breath, she takes Gilham’s hand.

“Lead the way,” she says.

This is the two-hundred-and-fourteenth 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.

The Humpbuckle-on-sea Museum of the Mysterious (5 of 6): “partisan” Humpbuckle Tales 213

Gilham was the best reporter on the Gazette.

He was more than just an employee.

He was her friend.

“What are you doing here?” Gilham asks.

“I don’t know,” Lilly admits. “I’m a little lost.”

Gilham chuckles.

“You’re not the only one. Come on up. We have tea and cake.”

This is the two-hundred-and-thirteenth 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

The Humpbuckle-on-sea Museum of the Mysterious (4 of 6): “reverse” Humpbuckle Tales 212

On this side, there’s no handle.

She hammers on the door.

“Hello?”

The voice comes from behind.

She turns, squinting in the half-light.

A dark figure stands at the far end of the narrow corridor.

“Lilly? Is that you?”

“Gilham?”

But isn’t he dead?

Lilly went to his funeral.

This is the two-hundred-and-twelth 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

The Humpbuckle-on-sea Museum of the Mysterious (3 of 6): “no way to get home” Humpbuckle Tales 211

Lilly falls through the open door, landing on something soft and warm.

She doesn’t think she’s broken anything.

She lies still for a moment before attempting to move.

Nothing works like it used to.

Getting up from the floor takes effort.

As she stands, the door swings shut.

She’s trapped.

This is the two-hundred-and-eleventh 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

The Humpbuckle-on-sea Museum of the Mysterious (2 of 6): “gear” Humpbuckle Tales 210

Lilly isn’t sure how she ended up here, outside the Museum.

It certainly wasn’t on purpose.

She’d forgotten it even existed.

She’s tired.

She only nipped out for a pint of milk.

She leans against the door.

Just for a moment.

Somewhere a gear whirrs.

Click!

The door creaks open.

This is the two-hundred-and-tenth 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

The Humpbuckle-on-sea Museum of the Mysterious (1 of 6): “have you tried the museum?” Humpbuckle Tales 209

There are no official opening hours.

The door sign reads (if you are able to decipher the faded words) :

The Museum Of The Mysterious will open if you need it

Lilly, in all her eighty years, has never been inside.

Nor – to her knowledge – has she met anyone who has.

This is the two-hundred-and-nineth 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

“partisan”: a 50-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 207

After a short stint in prison, Badger’s probation officer sets him up with a job at Partisan Landscaping.

Initially, Badger sees it as a way to case rich people’s homes for potential housebreaking opportunities.

He’s surprised to find he enjoys the hard outdoor work.

He’s also rather good at it.

This is the two-hundred-and-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.

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

“reverse”: a 50-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 206

The truck’s gaining on him!

He rounds the corner, tyres screeching.

A dead end!

Spinning the wheel, Hooper throws the car into reverse.

The gearbox screams in protest.

Another truck!

Where did that come from?

It smashes into him.

YOU LOSE!

“Stupid game!” Hooper throws the controller against the wall.

This is the two-hundred-and-sixth 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

“no way to get home”: a 50-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 205

Rosemary Doughty, bestselling author of No Way To Get Home, is considered something of a celebrity in Humpbuckle-on-sea.

She sits in A Turn Up For The Books, “Humpbuckle’s favourite independent bookshop” (factually correct, as it is the town’s only bookstore) ready to sign copies of her new book.

This is the two-hundred-and-fifth 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