Contemplation
And four other fifty-word stories
Contemplation
The battle-hardened men of the past gaze at us in silent contemplation through clouds of cigarette smoke. The lines on their faces are like medals of honor—wrinkled badges of courage. I run a hand across my own, feeling the smooth surface, and wonder if I’d have it in me.
On the Run
The thorny briar patch pierced Manny’s skin like snake bites. He barreled toward the river and spotted tulips in bloom.
Spring had always been her favorite season.
Footsteps tore into the woods. “Freeze!”
The young fugitive took a deep breath and added it to his list of regrets.
Then he dove.
By Candlelight
Marla Robinson is the richest woman in the world.
She lives in a small cabin near the edge of the forest. Living sometimes evolves into survival—endless toil—in the harsher months. Rest is her reward.
Like tonight: critters scurry, collecting food. Marla reads by candlelight, sometimes pausing to listen.
Sacred Space
He walks toward his destination as if it’s calling him. Maybe it is. Perhaps it’s muscle memory.
The man drifts through the foggy meadow like a specter until the tree stand appears. He climbs—waits.
A fawn trails her mother. They turn. Stare.
He inhales.
Click.
It’s the perfect shot.
(Note: this one’s dedicated to all the hardworking photographers out there.)
Voicemail
Sheila keeps a single voicemail saved on her phone; it’s the final recording she has of her father.
“Hey, kiddo. Just figured I’d try reaching ya…I’m sure I’ll talk to you later. Love ya.”
His tone still calms her when she needs him most.
A parent’s love knows no bounds.
Thanks so much for reading some of my fifty-word stories. “Contemplation” felt like a good fit for Memorial Day.
If you enjoyed my work, please consider sharing it with a fellow fiction reader.
I plan to host Fifties by the Fire this Friday, May 30th. The post will go live at 3:00 PM EST. Please see the prompt below if interested!
Prompt: Write a fifty-word story (fiction, CNF, or poetry) that relates to the following phrase/idea: out of the nest.
Thank you, as always, to
for providing his inspiring photography.Have a wonderful week!
I liked them all. Liked the first one best. Very appropriate for today.
I loved all of them, Justin!