Short stories are a great medium for weaving an exciting tale into a non time consuming format that’s easy to read and won’t steal half your day away. In this day and age with so much information and entertainment at our fingertips, it can be hard as a writer to retain a readers attention for more than a few minutes. Micro Fiction is even shorter with word counts anywhere from 100 to 1000 and they are both a wonderful way for busy readers to get their story fix and fantastic practice for writers to learn how to condense stories in order to get more depth in their narratives. We will be introducing competitions on our site at a later stage with both Micro Stories and Flash Fiction Stories, hopefully with a prize as well as publication on the blog. In the meantime here are two Micro Stories (max length is 250 words) that our administrator Jo Stewart wrote for competitions on Sweek.com (Check out her profile here for more stories.)
This story was written for the #MicroKey competition.
KEY TO MY HEART
“That’s the key to my heart right there!” Liz nodded toward the screen which displayed in amazing clarity the outline of a tiny human skeleton.
“You and your husband must be very proud?” The ultrasound technician smiled, tapping at the keyboard.
Liz felt the sting of mourning return. The day’s events were a welcome distraction, but now fresh tears pooled in her eyes, threatening to spill over and drench her crisp white blouse.
“Oh dear, did I upset you?” The technician, a mature lady with dark hair, streaked with silver, handed Liz a tissue as the first tear escaped its shallow confines.
Liz wiped the tear from her cheek. “No, it’s just…my husband passed away 3 months ago.”
“Oh, I’m sorry”
“Thanks! When I found out I was pregnant I felt I was given a piece of him to keep. If it’s a boy, I’ll give him my husband’s name.”
“Oh, what a blessing” she smiled again, turning to the screen in front of her. As she adjusted the transducer on Liz’s abdomen her expression altered.
“Is something wrong?” Liz’s chest tightened with fear.
“No, but your chances of having at least one boy just increased.” Her face beaming as she pointed to a curved line hovering above the baby’s tiny skull. “See that? There’s another baby, hiding behind the first!”
Liz’s joy overwhelmed her and the tears she’d been bravely holding back poured out and flooded her cheeks. The key to her heart was now a twin set.
This story was written for the #MicroGame competition.
A CHILDISH GAME
I lay motionless on the floor. Something was hanging above my face, but I couldn’t focus on it. I tried to reach out but had no control over my body. My arm jerked up and down with my tenacious efforts, fear and insecurity consuming me as I realised it was futile.
My heart beat faster when I noticed I was not alone. “Maybe she’s not ready for this game” I heard a deep, unfamiliar voice say. I felt desperate to know who was in my home, my safe place. I wanted to cry but decided bravery was a better friend.
My heart quickened again as I heard footsteps. Someone else was now in the room. I felt pain in my stomach which gradually intensified as the two talked in hushed tones. No longer able to remain silent, I tried to yell but could not form words, so I cried out anxiously.
Suddenly a shadowy figure moved toward me, bent down and stretched out their arms toward my now stiffened body. What would they do? Take this pain away or prolong it for more agonizing hours? Their face moved closer toward mine and become clearer. I could finally make out their features…it was mummy! She picked me up, held me close and kissed my forehead. I heard her heart beat and smelt her sweet familiar aroma.
“She’s just hungry” she said “it’s time for her feed”.
I was safe once more, in the arms of the one who bore me.
