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)

Mug, by Bruce Arbuckle

“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)

No Words, by Bruce Arbuckle

He knows she’s happy by the crunch of the gravel as she skips up the path, how the key dances in the lock, the clap of the swinging door. He utters no words when she enters, his expression tells all. Her smile falls from her face and he hugs her.

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

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)

Knocker, by Bruce Arbuckle

She’d always hated her grandmother’s bronze door knocker, an ugly goblin with a nasty smile and beady eyes that watched her reluctant progress up the path. At night, listening to the house shuffle and groan, she was sure she could hear the creature creeping up the stairs, searching for her.

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

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)

A Lesson, by Bruce Arbuckle

“Let’s visit Earth!” They shimmer with excitement. Glerk hates that grim planet. It’s full of unfortunate creatures desperately clinging to life. But it’s an appropriate lesson on what can go wrong when you leave an inferior species in charge of a planetary ecosystem, and why occupation and control is crucial.

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

Find me (as HumpbuckleTales) on Mastodon

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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

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)

Chilling With Old Friends, by Bruce Arbuckle

They used to meet once a month to chew the fat and exchange recipe ideas. It’s only when Brian, invited over for dinner, finds himself hanging out with old friends in Kevin’s new meat locker that he realises why membership of the local Cannibal Social Club has dramatically declined recently.

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

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)

The Old Pond, by Bruce Arbuckle

The Old Pond at the end of Ducking Stool Lane is supposed to be haunted with ghosts of drowned witches. I won’t swim, despite the dares and the heat of the summer sun. Kipper doesn’t surface. We think he’s playing us for fools. Our nervous laughter dies with our friend.

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

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)

My Familiar, by Bruce Arbuckle

My familiar, a rather impish demon called Derek, hitched himself to me after his previous mistress met with a rather unfortunate culinary accident. She tried to cook me, and I stabbed her through the heart with a carving knife. Derek believes only a powerful sorceress could have killed that witch.

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

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)

No Time To Run, by Bruce Arbuckle

From the window she sees the creatures surround the building. She took too long setting the explosives: there’s no time to escape. Across the street she can see Jip. She can’t see his expression, but she can imagine it. “Sorry,” she mouths. She starts yelling, drawing the things to her.

A 50-word story written by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the Freewriters Writing Prompt on Hive, “no time for that”

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)

It’s Been Too Long, by Bruce Arbuckle

I barely recognise you when you arrive. You’d always been slightly overweight, or as you’d insist: “cuddly”. “You look…” the words stick in my throat. “Ill?” Your smile is thin on your face. “The disease does that, you know.” I want to hug you, but I’m afraid you might break.

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

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)