Pen Knife, by Bruce Arbuckle

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

I run my fingers over the back of the church pew where we used to sit. Your initials, smoothed with the passage of time, are still there.

“You’re chicken. Too scared to live,” you said.

Now, as they carry your coffin down the aisle, I carve mine next to yours.

…

A fifty-word story written by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the Freewriters writing prompt on Hive, “pen knife”

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Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

Not A Good Day, by Bruce Arbuckle

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

Helen loves her job although on occasion she needs reminding why she became a teacher in the first place.

Most days come with little victories helping her feel she serves a purpose.

Today, she reflects, as an angry parent spits vitriolic words into her face, is not a good day.

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A fifty-word story written by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the Freewriters writing prompt on Hive, “education is a right”

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Bruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)

Prey, by Bruce Arbuckle

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

The woman talks loudly into her phone, the loudspeaker broadcasting the whole conversation to other customers, to their obvious irritation.

Her bag, seductively fat, expensive and available, is easily liberated from the back of the chair. I keep on walking, the purse under my coat.

Shouting. Indignation. Footsteps.

I run.

…

This fifty-word story was written by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the Freewriters writing prompt on Hive, “expensive purse”

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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)

Beard, by Bruce Arbuckle

March 12, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, microfiction, short story, story, Tales, zapfic50

“Céline!”

She turns and he sees the creature has grown again. Its tail is wrapped around her throat. Thick writhing tentacles, erupting from blisters on its soft body, inch across her face. To shoot the clinging monster will mean certain death for his wife.

The gun shakes in his hand.

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This fifty-word story was written by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the random word prompt “beard”.

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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)

Whisperings, by Bruce Arbuckle

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

I’ve always heard the Whisperings,

The tangled murmur of conversation that fly around other people’s minds like angry wasps trapped under a glass on a hot summers day.

Doubt, worry, desire, guilt.

I know who people really are.

They frightened me, until I learnt to use my talent against them.

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This fifty-word story was written by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the Freewriters writing prompt on Hive, “murmer of conversation”

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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)

Decision Time, by Bruce Arbuckle

March 9, 2023March 9, 2023 Bruce humpbuckletales dribble, fiction, fiftywordfiction, fiftywordstory, flash fiction, flashfiction, microfiction, short story, Stories, story, Tales, zapfic, zapfic50

Poor old Billy.

You never wanna take a stand.

Thing is, as my dear grandaddy used to say, “A man who tries to walk on both sides of the road is gonna get flattened by a jugganaut sooner or later.”

So, Billy-boy, are you with us, or against us?

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This 50-word story was written by Bruce Arbuckle using the Freewrite Writing Prompt “walk on both sides”, from Hive.

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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)

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,

…

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

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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

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“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.

…

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

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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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Find me (as HumpbuckleTales ) on Mastodon

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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

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 Drabble.Club

BBruce Arbuckle (felt.buzz)