The Last Time, by Bruce Arbuckle

March 8, 2023March 8, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales dribble, fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, Tales, zapfic, zapfic50

…

He wears a perfume of cigarettes, garlic and brandy. He reaches for the bottle.

Mummy says, *You’ve had enough.”

Then – to me – “You’re too big to sit on his lap.”

Then, “Where are you going?”

The door slams and we cry.

As if we both know this time it’s forever.

…

This 50-word story was written by Bruce Arbuckle using the Freewrite Writing Prompt on Hive,

…

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Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

“Better Late Than Never” by Bruce Arbuckle

March 7, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales dribble, fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, microfiction, short story, Stories, story, Tales, zapfic50

…

“Better late than never!”

His beaming smile battles my migraine-inducing frown, but even his sparkling eyes can’t cool my lava-hot anger.

“You said you’d be here on time. You swore it.”

“I’m here now. Why do you always do this?”

And suddenly – yet again – I’m in the wrong.

…

A fifty-word story written using the Freewrite Writing Prompt on Hive.

…

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Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

“intrusion”, by Bruce Arbuckle

March 6, 2023March 6, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales dribble, fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, microfiction, story, zapfic, zapfic50

“How many miles have we hiked?”

“Not even half a mile.” I resent his intrusion. It’s my Sunday stroll.

“I have a blister. I’m thirsty. Let’s stop at this pub.”

I agree and sit at a table in the garden. He goes to the bar.

I walk on without him.

…

This 50-word story was written using the Hive Freewrite Daily Writing Prompt, “how many miles”

…

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Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

“worst holiday ever” by Bruce Arbuckle

March 5, 2023March 5, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales dribble, fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, holiday, Humpbuckle-on-Sea, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, Tales, zapfic, zapfic50

This 50-word story was written using a random word prompt : “Planet”

Planet Earth was advertised as, “Beautiful, Unspoilt: A Real Breath of Fresh Air.”

Of course, that was years ago.

Our faster-than-light ships couldn’t keep up with the devastation these homosapians wreaked on their home in such a short time.

I hope to be rescued before it’s completely destroyed.

…

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Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

“Ray B’s”

March 4, 2023March 4, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales dribble, fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, microfiction, short story, Stories, story, Tales, zapfic, zapfic50

Ray B’s NiteClub, located in a former meat packing warehouse in Humpbuckle Port, was best avoided unless you were desperate or had a death wish.

It was usually almost empty until everything else was closed.

A place of last resort.

Why the hell choose this place for our first date?

…

The prompt was “rabies” I thought it would be a great name for a dodgy night club

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My Humpbuckle Tales are always published first on Hive

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BBruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

“Moon Shadow”

March 3, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

She told me her name was Moon Shadow and she was a Wishmaker from the Far Edges of the Astral Planes in a universe unlike mine.

Later, I discovered she was called Gladys and she fried fish in a chippy in Grimsby.

But one night with her forever changed me.

…

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Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

‘

“papa bear”

March 2, 2023March 2, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales dribble, fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, microfiction, zapfic, zapfic50

If ever a bar looked like it’s owner it was Papa Bear’s.

Back in the day Papa looked like a grizzly.

Now, his legendary thick brown curls were grey, thin and lacklustre. His once-bearded face, pockmarked, gaunt and jaundiced.

The only imposing thing about him was his beer belly.

…

Find me (as HumpbuckleTales ) on Mastodon

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My Humpbuckle Tales are always published first on Hive

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Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

“email sent”

March 1, 2023March 1, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales dribble, fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, microfiction, zapfic, zapfic50

As soon as the words “Email sent” appeared on the screen he realised his mistake.

So stupid.

Had he wanted to get caught?

Perhaps it’s for the best. With it out in the open they could finally work things out.

Who was he kidding?

She was going to kill him.

…

Find me (as HumpbuckleTales ) on Mastodon

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Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

“a weekend away”

February 28, 2023February 28, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales dribble, fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

A fifty-word story written using the Freewrite prompt on Hive.

It was supposed to be a romantic weekend getaway.

No kids.

Just us.

Why did I trust him to make the reservation?

“Only one room left,” the receptionist said. “Sorry.”

Bunk beds.

Not even two singles we could push together.

And we had to share with a family of four.

…

Find me (as HumpbuckleTales ) on Mastodon

Read my daily 50 word stories every day here or on Hive or on Facebook

My Humpbuckle Tales are always published first on Hive

Find my 100 word tales on Felt.Buzz Writes

Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

2 Humpbuckle Tales, today: “drinking and talking” and “elephant”

February 27, 2023February 27, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, humpbuckletales, microfiction, zapfic, zapfic50

Both these 50-word stories were inspired by the Freewriters writing prompt on Hive “drinking and talking”

Drinking and Talking

Like old times, they spent the night drinking and talking.

So much had changed.

They drank tea, now, not whisky.

And the desire that had almost destroyed both their lives had waned.

They promised they wouldn’t leave it so long, but they both knew they’d never see each other again.

…

Elephant

They spent the rest of the night drinking and talking.

As the light of day filled the room, however, it became increasingly difficult to ignore the elephant in the room.

Especially after it took a dump on the sofa.

“We should probably take it back to the zoo,” she said.

…

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Read my daily 50 word stories every day here or on Hive or on Facebook

Find my 100 word tales on Felt.Buzz Writes