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Every story published in 100 Word Fiction. Search by title, author, or a half-remembered phrase; filter by year, tag, or contributor.
Showing 18 of 81 stories
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Cursed
To stay safe and free is a constant battle. Wherever I land, wherever I hide, human hands plunge into reeds, rushes, and bushes - thorns or not. To smear pond weed and carrion blood on my golden feathers is of little…
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A Different View
Alex slipped on his Augmented Reality goggles and stepped into the street. With a blink he could edit out the noise and smell of the chaotic world. As he walked, he removed the tramps and beggars, the joggers and the…
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Yard Sailing
"Yard sales," Dad muttered. "These vultures want you to practically give it away.""Yeah, that's why you just sell the junk and donate the good stuff." One person's unwanted junk is…
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Moirai
In the bare hills beyond the derelict town, the few spared trees were exposed to the savage wind, whispering ancient secrets as they were ravaged.For a moment Atropos was transfixed by that tortured dance.Soft sounds at…
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Wildfires
A dense cloud of dreams from across the border settled over the city. City officials urged the citizens to stay up as long as possible. Loudspeakers on street corners blasted patriotic music throughout the day.…
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No Words
No peace, even here, only rustling and whispers. Her eyes settle on the red glass votives. She slips over, kneels, puts her face in her hands. She wasn't religious. Lost all that long ago. Or, maybe, it was taken.…
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Winter Leaves
At the end of a cold autumn I counted the leaves on our tree. One fell. The brittle thing in my soft hand. I walked inside to procure some tape. Once back, I secured it. My cheeks fell: two other leaves must've…
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Footwork
In flimsy sandals and a cigarette in one hand, Tony juggles the soccer ball, popping it right foot, left foot. From his stoop, his neighbor, Will, watches, counts. Fifty times, thumping. Day in and day out. With each…
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Sly
Sly came sporting a Louisiana accent that made me feel sentimental. I asked about the tattoo on his wrist that said Vivian, the first time we met. He told me about his ex-wife who he caught cheating on him when he came…
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Cape May's Last Secret
As the retreating waves exposed a gleaming stretch of sand, she knelt and picked up a shell. Although it seemed devoid of life, it appeared to be harboring something that was breathing. She pressed it to her ear and…
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It's What We Do
Bessie is fond of westerns. Her hero is John Wayne. She can watch his films all day.I position her chair near the TV, as her poor eyesight requires.Caregivers have to be organized. It's what we do to keep a patient…
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Bologna Sandwiches
In the early 1950s, our trips were long, primarily due to our Dodge sedan overheating and poor two-lane roads. We also made roadside stops to eat. Although Mom packed delicious lunches, we loved bologna sandwiches on…
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Farmers' Market
Bins burst with color: squash, zucchini, tomatoes, berries! Normally I’m in the middle of the shoppers, but not today. Today I skirt the edges. Chemo has weakened me, and I almost didn’t come, lest anyone should say…
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Salt Runner
Bayan was a saltrunner, an illegal activity since the collapse. Shovel in hand, empty bags on either side, he’d hit a vein, fill as fast as he could, then escape, before patrols arrived. Today, Bayan decided to hit a…
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The Last Refusal
There were a few things to consider, of course. The coffin had to remain closed during the funeral. My grandmother spent her later years avoiding people, and it seemed cruel to let them gather around and look at her…
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Michigan & Chicago
Spencer sat with his knees together, his briefcase across his lap. He checked his phone: the bus was now seven minutes late, but he was too embarrassed to ask the woman on the opposite side of the backless bench if this…
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Figment
I step into my newest patient’s dream on a Friday night and despite the recent Somnology ban. Rent and groceries don’t pay themselves, and I’m still looking for him. The dream manifests as a cinema, the credits rolling…
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Good to the Last Drop
From his underground bunker, Dr. Kelly watched the global destruction on twelve monitors. He looked at his invention, The Unifier, a tear running down his cheek. This wasn’t supposed to happen. The Unifier should have…