Sinking, by Bruce Arbuckle

May 19, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales dribble, fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, flashfictionfriday, fridayflashfiction, Humpbuckle-on-Sea, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, story, Tales, zapfic, zapfic50

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Your old row boat is barely visible, now, its shape only discernable if you know where to look. Like my memories of you, it lurks just below the surface. Knowing it’s there is enough, I don’t need to see it. Gradually sinking, the dark green water devours the rotting carcass.

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A 50-word story written by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the Freewriters Writing Prompt on Hive, “row boat”

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Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

2032, by Bruce Arbuckle

May 18, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales dribble, fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, Stories, story, Tales, zapfic, zapfic50

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It’s too hot to sleep. He lies in bed listening to the hum of his neighbour’s illegal air conditioning unit. It’s probably already been reported to the Energy Brigade. Before long he’ll hear the pounding of boots, the banging on doors, the protestations of innocence and then the swift execution.

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A 50-word story written by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the Freewriters Writing Prompt on Hive, “too hot”

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My Humpbuckle Tales are always published first on Hive

Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

A New Quest, by Bruce Arbuckle

May 17, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales dribble, fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, Stories, story, Tales, zapfic, zapfic50

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After rescuing the prince from the tower, sleying the dragon, and saving the kingdom from evil tyranny, Valarie goes home and stacks the dishwasher. She sits on the sofa, and closes her eyes. “Mum! I can’t find my gym kit!” She sighs, takes a breath and begins her next quest.

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A 50-word story written by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the Freewriters Writing Prompt on Hive, “a new quest”

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My Humpbuckle Tales are always published first on Hive

Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

SuperMum, by Bruce Arbuckle

May 16, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales dribble, fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, Stories, story, Tales, zapfic, zapfic50

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“You have special powers,” Jill used to say. “My SuperMum!” When her daughter dies, and John leaves, broken by grief, Maggie struggles to find the energy to leave her bed. Today, she’s out walking. “Progress!” her well meaning neighbour says. Maggie stands on the clifftop, wondering if she can fly.

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A 50-word story written by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the Freewriters Writing Prompt on Hive, “defy physics”

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My Humpbuckle Tales are always published first on Hive

Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

Insomnia, by Bruce Arbuckle

May 15, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales dribble, fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, Stories, story, Tales, zapfic, zapfic50

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In bed, he replays scenes from long ago. In college, he remembers holding a door open for a young woman. “Sexist pig!” she’d sneered. He’d wanted to say he did it for men too – he was an equal opportunity door holder – but she’d already disappeared in a whirl of indignation.

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A 50-word story written by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the Freewriters Writing Prompt on Hive, “you are a chauvinist”

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Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

Up The Chimney, by Bruce Arbuckle

May 14, 2023May 14, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales dribble, fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, Stories, story, Tales, zapfic, zapfic50

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Even though his shed-of-a-house was a run-down wreck, Old Hal was rumoured to be filthy rich, with a stash of gold stuffed up his flue. But, when Bert broke in, late one night, all he found up the chimney was soot and a mouldy old ham.

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A 50-word story written by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the Freewriters Writing Prompt on Hive, “up the chimney”

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

My Humpbuckle Tales are always published first on Hive

Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

Surgeon, by Bruce Arbuckle

May 13, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales dribble, fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, Stories, story, Tales, zapfic, zapfic50

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Dr Kleeps will never be described as a great surgeon. I’m not even certain he’s a real doctor. But he’s cheap, decreet, and local. That counts for a lot if you’re short of cash, hunted and about to bleed to death. “You again!” He opens the door and I collapse.

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A 50-word story written by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the Freewriters Writing Prompt on Hive, “surgeon”

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My Humpbuckle Tales are always published first on Hive

Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

Curfew’s Call, by Bruce Arbuckle

May 12, 2023May 12, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales dribble, fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, flashfictionfriday, fridayflashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, sci-fi, short story, Stories, story, Tales, zapfic, zapfic50

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Just after the curfew’s call, we run into a Sentinel. We lie in the sodden ditch, shivering with cold and fear, listening to the metalic clang of its approach, then the quiet hum as it searches for signs of life. I suppress a gasp as it steps over our heads.

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A 50-word story written by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the Freewriters Writing Prompt on Hive, “a very close shave”

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My Humpbuckle Tales are always published first on Hive

Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

Panic! by Bruce Arbuckle

May 11, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales dribble, fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, Stories, story, Tales, zapfic, zapfic50

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She leaps out of bed, a whirlwind of blankets, wild hair and cursing. I blink rapidly.

“What’s happened?” Perhaps, I’ve slept through a phone call. An illness? An accident? Or worse?

“Late for work! Bloody alarm didn’t go off!”

“But it’s three AM,” I check my phone. “And it’s Sunday.”

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A 50-word story written by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the Freewriters Writing Prompt on Hive, “bed hair”

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Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

The Illusionist, by Bruce Arbuckle

May 10, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales dribble, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, humpbuckletales, microfiction, short story, Stories, story, Tales, zapfic, zapfic50

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From a young age, he realised he could form alternative versions of reality in other people’s heads. He couldn’t read their minds, but he could open them and insert thoughts, images and even memories. Usually, his victims were unaware of the intrusion. Sometimes they felt uncomfortable. Occasionally, they fought back.

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A 50-word story written by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the Freewriters Writing Prompt on Hive, “illusion”

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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

Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)