February, 2026 Archives
Feb
The Steward
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Rebecca and I drove up the long gravel way until it crested a small ridge and our new home came into view. She sucked in her breath, shocked by the magnificence of the old mansion.
“I haven’t been here in thirty years. Nothing’s changed.”
She squeezed my hand, in excitement or perhaps disbelief. The estate belonged to my grandfather, then my uncle, and now me, a string of unfortunate deaths leaving me the only heir.
My anticipation ceased when I saw Bidwell waiting to greet us.
“What’s wrong?”
“The steward. He died in the same accident that killed my uncle.”
Feb
Filmgoers
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Many winters ago the blizzard buried Negotin in white noise. Snow sealed doors, and the wind was sending SOS signals all over the town. Power lines were lying in the fields, houses went blind and breath turned to frost.
Only the old cinema stood like a lone lighthouse against the storm. Its generator pulsated like a tired heart. The theater was full, but no one spoke. When the movie began, I realized the actors were the audience themselves, levitating across the screen.
Slowly, the faceless crowd turned toward me. They weren’t watching the movie.
They wanted me to stay forever.
From Guest Contributor Ivan Ristic
Feb
Starlust
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Professor Dutton had a theory that the problem with the universe was the stars. They were too greedy, and lusted after everything, until they imploded and became black holes. If we could distribute all that energy a bit more judiciously, so that it didn’t bunch up so egregiously that the stars began consuming everything around them, then we wouldn’t have to worry about the heat death of the universe. According to his calculations, it was also the fault of the stars that the universe was forever expanding.
“And thus, I present my plan to destroy every star in the galaxy.”
Feb
Nothing
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Andrea spent a lot of time thinking about nothing. To her surprise, when her parents or boyfriend asked her what she was thinking about, her reply always seemed to annoy them. The concept of nothing was so eternally fascinating. She’d try and engage them on the topic, but they insisted she was being distant.
Oh well.
Like, does nothing even exist? There’s clearly something, lots of things, so it seemed to Andrea that nothing was just something we imagined.
She was so deep in thought, she failed to notice her teacher staring at her.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing.”
Feb
Interstellar Rebellion
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
“Red Alert!”
Captain Spiff dashed to the bridge of his sentinel frigate, shocked at what he found. Thousands of enemy warcraft descended on the capitol planet’s defenses, seemingly out of nowhere.
Emperor Devane had ruled the galaxy for more than 2700 CR (Capitol Revolutions) with no hint of rebellion. Entire systems were wiped out for causing the slightest upset to the Emperor’s mood. Coordinating such an attack must have taken years, yet his daily security briefing had offered zero hint of the possibility.
Spiff’s final thought was to contemplate what promotion might be available were he to defeat these insurgents.
Feb
Nothing
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
The engine gives out and we’re about to crash. I guide the plane as best I can and brace for impact. Then there’s blackness.
When I wake, Ted has a blank stare, and his head is twisted in an awkward position. He’s dead.
The bone in my left ankle is protruding from the skin and I’m having trouble breathing. I’m sure I’ve ruptured my ribs.
The door is jammed and I can’t walk. The airplane will soon explode and there’s nowhere to go. I say a silent prayer and close my eyes.
There’s a crackling noise, flames and then nothing.
From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher
Feb
Be Easy
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Tomas nervously made his way to his seat at the very back of the lecture hall. He’d originally staked out this spot to avoid being called on during class discussion, but if it afforded him the opportunity to surreptitiously glance at his neighbors’ test answers, that was just a happy accident.
He prayed this final was easy. He needed an A on the exam to ensure a passing grade. Failure meant his dreams of medical school would be over.
The first question contained the word “Gluconeogenesis.”
Tomas stood and walked out of the classroom. The world needs car mechanics too.
Feb
Roses
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Apprehension accompanied me to my car. How would they react? With sadness? Indifference?
I placed the bouquet lovingly into the trunk, holding back tears.
The intended beholders knew nothing of its history. Nor of the person who presented it to me. Roses, once of warmth and vivid pink, had crumpled to shades of aged dryness. Like his love did, when he left for another and I didn’t realize he meant it for real.
I set the vase onto my desk in the classroom, for my art students to observe, interpret and present their creativity onto canvas—of a life stilled.
From Guest Contributor Krystyna Fedosejevs
Feb
Trick Play
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
“Ooh, a street magician. Let’s watch!”
Bill kept his sigh to himself, not wanting to disappoint his date. Women always enjoyed vapid entertainments and he was used to indulging them. At least in the beginning.
“Sure.”
This magician seemed to be of the most mundane sort, relying on rudimentary sleight of hand and clumsy misdirection. Bill had seen all these tricks on YouTube and delighted in calling out the techniques to the onlookers and ruining the illusion. Sheila dragged him away with an embarrassed apology.
It wasn’t until the waitress brought the check that Bill realized his wallet had disappeared.
Feb
Always Everywhere
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
She’s haunting him everywhere he goes.
She’s reflected in the mirror when the lights go black. She’s in the storm clouds chasing him through the day. She’s the hum of the air conditioner cranked ten degrees too cold. She’s the wetness soaking through his clothes in the rain.
He doesn’t mind. Ghosts lose the power to terrify when you’re addicted to the jump scare. She promised him she’d never leave and if nothing else, knowing that she’s true to her vow is enough for him to hold on to.
He never would have imagined himself living in a romantic fantasy.