Posts Tagged ‘Guest Contributor’
Mar
Venus Valve
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Mars and beyond seem to be the focus of unmanned space exploration. Venus on the other hand has been largely ignored. Of course the conditions on Venus are much different. The surface pressure’s an effective deterrent to probe the orb.
Prior unmanned vehicles that have landed on Venus: all crushed by the pressure.
As far as the aliens are concerned, this is a positive. The cold-blooded creatures did not want earthlings around and made prior adjustments.
Another alien spaceship treks the familiar voyage to Venus. Once near the surface they release the pressure valve, then go skiing on Maxwell Montes.
From Guest Contributor Denny E. Marshall
Mar
A Table For Two
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
“For two, please,” the woman muttered, fondling the wedding ring on her slim finger. The waiter escorted her to an empty table with a dim candle.
“Would you like anything to drink?”
“Just a glass of wine for me.”
“Anything else?” His eyes were fixed on the bare seat, before shifting to her.
She shook her head firmly, avoiding eye contact. As the waiter walked away, the woman pulled out a small picture frame and placed it on the opposite end of the table. It bared the image of a man in uniform. She smiled at him solemnly.
Happy anniversary.
From Guest Contributor Alex Vuong
Alex lives his life out loud and in vibrant color. He loves to put on his headphones and dance through his room. Alex is always looking for opportunities to learn new music and create more art.
Mar
My Darkest Colors
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
At night my darkest colors show. Sometimes I grow weary, afraid you can’t stand the glow.
Darkness comes in many different shades. From fear, paranoia, self doubt and anxiety, the lightness from me fades.
Just as self realization kicks in, and I ponder how much more can I take? A warm calm from light comes through, and my heart begins to wake.
As the light and magnitude begins to grow, the spectrum of colors from light to dark begins to glow.
I begin understanding now, so diverse and ubiquitous, and limited was my vision before. Forgive me I never knew.
From Guest Contributor Crystal Bauer Feldman
Mar
Emigration 2.0
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
The latest Derry crowd had established quite a community inside Grianan Fort, refugees from a Northern Ireland under British administration, ostensibly governed by a partnership of Republican and Unionist parties.
Tory privatisation of social housing, using the ubiquitous Brexit scapegoat, had only been introduced three years before a combination of it and repeal of benefits had forced Jimmy’s family, and thousands like them, across the border.
He pitied those who hadn’t escaped the shutdown.
.
“Lights out!” Someone called from the ramparts.
Pointless warning. One way in and out. Guards knew the drill.
Jimmy reckoned they’d have a week’s grace.
From Guest Contributor Perry McDaid
Mar
The Postcard
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
I sit in the beaming sunlight reading Tim’s postcard from France repeatedly.
“Callie, I met a beautiful French woman and we’re in love. I’m not coming home.”
My sweat drips onto the postcard leaving smudge marks. How could he do this to me? I’m so aghast, I throw the postcard on the grass and my dog Bentley whimpers as I kick the lawn chair across the yard, hitting the neighbor’s fence.
“Hey, watch it, Callie! You’ll break my fence,” Charlie yells.
Before I have a chance to answer, I look at the postcard and chortle. It’s full of bird excrement.
From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher
Mar
China
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
A friend asked, “Alyssa, do you think you’ll travel next year?” From deep within, without previous forethought, I knew. “Yes, I’m going to China!” I positively proclaimed. A week later I confided in a mentor at a local fair about my revelation but that I felt some doubt. We entered an exhibit room. Two handmade Chinese dresses stood at the entrance. Intrigued, I inspected them. The seamstresses had sewn their names on the insides of the collars. The first said “Alyssa” and the second said “Faith”. I heard a voice say, “Alyssa have faith.” Months later I traveled to China.
From Guest Contributor Alyssa Welch-Minaker
Alyssa is an online MFA writing student at Lindenwood University. She lives in North Africa where she reads excessively and plays with words. Visit her blog at alyssaminaker.wordpress.com
Feb
Rabid
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Sally sits at the dining table, scooping a spoonful of cheerios.
Her dog, Willow, begins to growl viciously. “Willow, what’s wrong?”
Willow snarls, revealing his sharp teeth. Drool dripping onto the floor. His eyes fixated on her. Ready to kill.
“Mommy! Daddy! Something is wrong with Willow!”
Minutes pass.
Sally’s parents run into the kitchen to find Willow is on top of Sally. His jaw locked on Sally’s leg. Ripping the flesh off. Blood gushing. Sally screams in agonizing pain.
Her father grabs the shotgun from the bedroom.
He takes a shot. Willow falls.
Sally is free, but bleeding heavily.
From Guest Contributor Alexa Findlay
Alexa spends most of her time writing fiction and poetry. She is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of three online literary magazines. She is obsessed with Disney and Jurassic Park. Her work has been featured in Pomona Valley Review, Better than Starbucks Magazine, Adelaide Literary Magazine, Halcyon Days, Grotesque Magazine amongst others.
Feb
Hell’s Kitchen
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
We were the grounds crew at a minor league ballpark in the city. “I was about a hundred feet away. He lifted the gun and just…” Gerry looked away.
“That’s never happened to me,” Harry thought. “What do I say?”
“I ducked for cover.” He wiped his face and squatted to give his knees a break.
“Most of those people in that crowd…They don’t know. They live in the suburbs and they just come in for the game.”
“POP!” The shot came from the houses beyond center field.
“I gotta get outta this city,” Gerry said. “Any way possible.”
From Guest Contributor Steve Colori
Feb
Off Her Rocker
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Annette sits in her favorite rocking chair, by a big window. A gloomy afternoon.
She cradles her dead baby in her pale arms. Hair as white as a ghost. Lips cracked and bleeding. Her body fragile and weak.
She sings a familiar tune. Rocking back and forth, as if trying to put the baby to sleep.
Her watch beeps. Medicine time. She throws the bottle out the window.
The Devil calls her name. She stops her singing. Her body freezes.
“He made me do it. He made me do it. He made me do it…” She repeats.
The devil exists.
From Guest Contributor Alexa Findlay
Feb
Surfing
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
He enviously watched the surfers ride the waves. Their sharp turns and steady footing made him feel shame at this own failed attempt on the water.
A small boy of no older than twelve maneuvered gracefully on a wave that would have had him running for the safety of the beach. A group of people enthusiastically cheered and clapped for the boy, who had a large grin on his face and pumped his fist in the air.
He watched this for a moment before angrily getting up from the sand and walking away vowing to get back on his board.
From Guest Contributor Zane Castillo