January | 2016 | Lemon Shark Reef

“Once upon a time, this land spun like a child’s marble of blue and green glass and hung in the heavens.”

“Spinning? Floating in the air? Preposterous!”

“It twirled in the sky, dancing with a moon, sun, and twinkling lights called ‘stars’.”

“Ignore her! ‘Tis nothing but a fairy tale from the feeble mind of an aged crone.”

“We waged war against a Goddess. Earth was worshiped—her powers immeasurable. We killed this world when we sought that power.”

“Ha! You claim we live on a mass of magic rubble?”

“No. We live on a mass grave of human greed.”

Flash Fiction Challenge over at Carrot Ranch

January 13, 2016 prompt: Once Upon a Time – In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story beginning with “Once upon a time…” Where you take the “fairy tale” is entirely up to you.

He wasn’t supposed to drink alcohol.

My father was a hard-working man, not afraid to get his hands dirty. Not ashamed to shovel shit for the rich folk when they wouldn’t honor his degree from our country.

But he was stubborn.

I heard them argue, my parents. About his work. His genius gone to waste. His drinking.

I turned away – blasting Billy Idol from my room, tuning them out.

When my mother asked where father hid his bourbon, I stayed silent, picturing the bottle next to my cigarettes in the overgrown garden.

He died young.

I smashed my stereo.

Flash Fiction Challenge over at Carrot Ranch

January 6, 2016 prompt: Rebellion – In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about rebellion.