…

Sandra’s reign of terror ended just after tea that Thursday afternoon. The cake, containing ground up poppy seeds, proved deadly to the highly allergic Accounts Manager. Claiming ignorance of her sensitivity – discovered through a friend of a friend who worked as a doctor’s receptionist – we almost got away with murder.

…

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

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

…

_{All my stories are my own. I do not (nor have I ever, nor will I ever) used any AI program to write my stories. I am personally against the use of AI to write (for me the whole point of writing is to use my own brain: that is the joy of writing for me). The screenshot is of a word counter app that I use when writing my stories to check that my Humpbuckle Tales are precisely 50 words long. I am human, #NOTaRobot}

Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

…

She looks him in his bloodshot eyes and shakes her head. “You do not accept my proposal?” the demon asks. He seems both astonished and amused. She shakes her head again and manages to squeak out a “no”. He snatches the bag of cash. “You’ll be hearing from my lawyer,”

…

A 50-word story written by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the Freewriters Writing Prompt on Hive, “do not accept”

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

…

_{All my stories are my own. I do not (nor have I ever, nor will I ever) used any AI program to write my stories. I am personally against the use of AI to write (for me the whole point of writing is to use my own brain: that is the joy of writing for me). The screenshot is of a word counter app that I use when writing my stories to check that my Humpbuckle Tales are precisely 50 words long. I am human, #NOTaRobot}

Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

…

She looks him in his bloodshot eyes and shakes her head. “You do not accept my proposal?” the demon asks. He seems both astonished and amused. She shakes her head again and manages to squeak out a “no”. He snatches the bag of cash. “You’ll be hearing from my lawyer,”

…

A 50-word story written by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the Freewriters Writing Prompt on Hive, “do not accept”

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

…

_{All my stories are my own. I do not (nor have I ever, nor will I ever) used any AI program to write my stories. I am personally against the use of AI to write (for me the whole point of writing is to use my own brain: that is the joy of writing for me). The screenshot is of a word counter app that I use when writing my stories to check that my Humpbuckle Tales are precisely 50 words long. I am human, #NOTaRobot}

Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

…

The throne room fell silent as six burly soldiers dragged the monstrous thing inside. Those gathered around the fire stopped sharpening their knives and axes, mouths open in awe. The bards leaned forward, already composing their song. Watching the preparation of his dragon’s egg omelette, the king licked his lips.

…

A 50-word story written by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the Freewriters Writing Prompt on Hive, “dragon’s egg”

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

…

_{All my stories are my own. I do not (nor have I ever, nor will I ever) used any AI program to write my stories. I am personally against the use of AI to write (for me the whole point of writing is to use my own brain: that is the joy of writing for me). The screenshot is of a word counter app that I use when writing my stories to check that my Humpbuckle Tales are precisely 50 words long. I am human, #NOTaRobot}

Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

…

There are so many mangled body parts it’s hard to believe they belonged to just one person. The container’s inscription – barely legible through the blood – reads, “Romance: included in the box”. “Another Love Bot’s gone rogue,” Inspector Holbert barks into the radio. “We’re going to need backup.” Upstairs, something moves.

…

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

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

…

_{All my stories are my own. I do not (nor have I ever, nor will I ever) used any AI program to write my stories. I am personally against the use of AI to write (for me the whole point of writing is to use my own brain: that is the joy of writing for me). The screenshot is of a word counter app that I use when writing my stories to check that my Humpbuckle Tales are precisely 50 words long. I am human, #NOTaRobot}

Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

…

The stench of piss, sweat and disinfectant assault his nostrils as the cell door clangs shut. He feels the eyes of the officer on his back before the man’s footsteps echo down the corridor, joining the drone of voices from the front desk and desperate cries of innocence and indignation.

…

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

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

…

_{All my stories are my own. I do not (nor have I ever, nor will I ever) used any AI program to write my stories. I am personally against the use of AI to write (for me the whole point of writing is to use my own brain: that is the joy of writing for me). The screenshot is of a word counter app that I use when writing my stories to check that my Humpbuckle Tales are precisely 50 words long. I am human, #NOTaRobot}

Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

…

“It’ll be great exposure.” His beady eyes peek from the fat sweaty red face. He wants me to work for free. He’ll benefit from my talent while I get nothing. But it’s perfect. As the event photographer, I’ll get access to him and his secrets. And I’ll bring him down.

…

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

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

…

_{All my stories are my own. I do not (nor have I ever, nor will I ever) used any AI program to write my stories. I am personally against the use of AI to write (for me the whole point of writing is to use my own brain: that is the joy of writing for me). The screenshot is of a word counter app that I use when writing my stories to check that my Humpbuckle Tales are precisely 50 words long. I am human, #NOTaRobot}

Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)