“skin problems” a 50-word story written using the freewrite prompt. Humbuckle Tales 172

February 26, 2022February 15, 2022 Bruce humpbuckletales fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

She can’t go to school.

Not after yesterday.

“It’s only acne,” her mother shouts. “You’re making a big fuss over nothing!”

She sits on the tiled floor, her back against the bathroom door that shakes each time her mother pounds on it.

She feels like a freak.

Alone.

Unloved.

Unlovable.

…

This is the one-hundred-and-seventy-second 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

“comic books” a fifty word story written using the Freewrite prompt. Humpbuckle Tales 171

February 25, 2022February 15, 2022 Bruce humpbuckletales fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

Clearing out Mother’s flat after the funeral is painful.

There’s little of value.

Just memories and junk accumulated over a lifetime.

Underneath a pile of old comic books, she finds a letter addressed to her.

She opens it and reads.

Tears well, trickle and finally drop onto the handwritten page.

…

This is the one-hundred-and-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.

…

“double pointed”: a 50-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 170

February 25, 2022February 15, 2022 Bruce The Hanged Spider Pub fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

Supposedly haunted, The Hanged Spider pub is located in the sleepy village of Double-Pointed.

The ghost is purportedly to be that of an unpopular sixteenth century nobleman

Caught in bed with the landlord’s daughter, he was dragged back to Humpbuckle Manor and hanged on a tree overlooking the ocean.

…

This is the one-hundred-and-seventieth 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 hemlock society”: a 50-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 169

February 24, 2022February 15, 2022 Bruce Brian fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

It’s sad to see such an imposing and proud man reduced to this state.

“I want to die with dignity,” the crumpled heap whispers.

The boney fingers dig into his own.

“Help me on my way, my boy. Please.”

Brian doesn’t normally do requests.

But he’ll do anything for Grandpa.

…

This is the one-hundred-and-sixty-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.

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.

…

“wilderness”: a 50-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 168

February 24, 2022February 15, 2022 Bruce John fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

Aged eleven, John goes camping in the wilderness with his cousins.

“It’ll be fun!” his dad says.

Philip and Howie are two years older and John’s only met them once.

When they lead him into the woods, at dusk, and abandon him it’s clear they don’t much care for him.

…

This is the one-hundred-and-sixty-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.

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.

…

“hype”: a 50-word story. Humpbuckle Tales 167

February 23, 2022February 15, 2022 Bruce Chloe, Margot fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

“It’s the latest thing,” Chloe holds up a card. “Everyone at school is collecting them. Look!” She thrusts the card into Margot’s face. “This one’s so rare, it’s worth actual money!”

Margot waits until she hears her sister’s gentle snores before snatching the card and flushing it down the toilet.

…

This is the one-hundred-and-sixty-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.

…

Running in the family (6 of 6): “the last meal”. Humpbuckle Tales 166

February 23, 2022February 15, 2022 Bruce Tommy fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

Badger hates visiting his grandparents.

The old man teases him relentlessly, and his grandmother’s once fantastic culinary skills have deteriorated.

One Sunday lunchtime, his grandfather chokes to death on a chunk of grissle. Turning blue he falls facedown onto his plate.

Badger’s grandmother, racked with guilt, dies within the week.

…

This is the one-hundred-and-sixty-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.

…

Running in the family (5 of 6): “Badger”. Humpbuckle Tales 165

February 22, 2022February 15, 2022 Bruce Tommy fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

Tommy gets caught stealing a car when he’s eighteen.

He gets a two months stretch.

He’s released with a streak of grey in his hair and a determination to go straight.

“You look like a badger,” his dad tells him.

The nickname sticks, unlike his resolution to give up crime.

…

This is the one-hundred-and-sixty-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.

…

Running in the family (4 of 6): “dirt on face”. Humpbuckle Tales 164

February 22, 2022February 15, 2022 Bruce Tommy fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

One summer Tommy tries to pick the pocket of an elderly gentleman with a silver-tipped cane.

The old geezer catches him in the act and whacks him repeatedly with his walking stick.

Tommy runs home, the dirt on his face mixing with blood and snot from his busted nose.

…

This is the one-hundred-and-sixty-fourth 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.

…

Running in the family (3 of 6): “big crowd”. Humpbuckle Tales 163

February 21, 2022February 15, 2022 Bruce Tommy fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, zapfic50

His grandfather trains Tommy in the family business.

Or at least he tries to.

“Tommy lacks confidence,” the old man complains. “You can’t be a con man without it.”

Alf, one of his dad’s friends offers to teach him a different trade.

Tommy learns to pick pockets in big crowds.

…

This is the one-hundred-and-sixty-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.

…