Category: 100 Word Stories

#261 The Twilight Zone S4 E9 2/28/1963

My typewriter’s made me famous. It was six months ago today when it started typing a story about a murder that hadn’t happened yet. Took a lot of convincing for my boss to accept I wasn’t the killer.

Doesn’t change my problem either. My typewriter types that a murder is going to happen and I could possibly save a life. Or I could let it play out. The most sensational murder and I’ve got all the details.

This could launch my career. I just have to pretend I knew nothing. Too bad the murder victim is my childhood best friend.

#260 The Twilight Zone S4 E13 4/4/1963

“Interview terminated at 11:23pm.”

:click:

“You should admit what you did, Sylvester, and stop this nonsense. A jury isn’t going to declare you insane because your wax figure did it,” sheriff Donnelly said.

Sylvester looked down at the table and whispered, “I told you. She killed my wife,” his voice getting louder, “I knew no one would believe me so I buried her in the back yard. I admit that but I didn’t murder my wife.”

The sheriff chuckled. “What kind of man blames their murders on wax?”

“She’ll get you next. She doesn’t like when I’m laughed at.”

#259 The Twilight Zone S4 E1 1/3/1963

It’s the end of the day and I’m being followed. I’ve felt their eyes on me ever since I exited the elevator and started walking to the train station. Maybe I should change my routine. Just to prove I’m being followed.

I walk past the train station to the bus stop. It’ll take longer to get home but will be worth it. A police car at the light. Should I tell them? Green light. Too late.

I’m standing at the—

TECHNICAL SUPPORT RESTART INITIATED. 3, 2, 1…

Work day has ended. I walk away from bus stop, towards train station.

#258 The Twilight Zone S3 E32 4/27/1962

“What’s that you got there?” Jane, my sister, asked as I ran past her towards our treehouse, motioning for her to follow me.

“A man from spaceship gave it to me,” I whispered, holding out a metal ball. “Go ahead, take it.” I let the ball drop from my hand into hers. “He said I could have it if I gave him something for it.”

“Whatcha gotta give him?” She asked, mesmerized by the shininess of the ball in her hands.

I crept up behind her and shouted “YOU!” So startled, she dropped my ball and fell out the treehouse.

#257 The Twilight Zone S3 E7 10/27/1961

“I double dog dare ya, Herb.” The rest of the patrons at the bar all drunkenly joined in. They know why I’m too scared to visit Jackals Cross. My worst enemy is buried there in a shallow grave, waiting for me.

Jackals Cross is where I spent most of my childhood before the great fire burned it to the ground and I had to start doing grown up things. Now I work all day and drink all night to forget that place ever existed.

But they’re making me go back there. To the grave. To the place where I’m buried.

#256 The Twilight Zone S3 E16 1/5/1962

Fiona hasn’t left her apartment for anyone or anything ever since she saw  Death take a woman’s life while standing in a long line at the grocery store. Keeled over onto her cart filled with healthy fruits and vegetables. Then Death looked at her, and smiled.

Fiona is retired now. Her groceries are delivered. As long as she never leaves and meets a stranger in the street, Death cannot get her.

One day a little girl knocks on her door. Lost and afraid. “I can’t find my mommy,” she cries.

Fiona opens her door for the little girl. For Death.

#255 The Twilight Zone S3 E3 9/29/1961

We repeat: Shelter in place. They are here.

This message has played across all radio frequencies and television stations for 24 hours. I don’t know what they mean, but I prepared for this day my whole life. I’ve abandoned my home for the shelter just beneath it. I hope you will have done the same, but you haven’t. I hear your faint pleas above me. Shattered glass as you break into my home.

This is a public service announcement. The alerts you’ve heard were only a test. We repeat…

But it’s too late. You are here now and I’m gone.

#254 The Twilight Zone S2 E14 1/20/61

An oddities shop is having a grand opening and sent out invitations to everyone in the area, claiming they have “Just what I need.” I confess I don’t think I need anything but I’ve heard shops like these have things that would never be found anywhere else. My curiosity won.

I expected more people to be here. I’m surprised to discover I’m the only one here. Maybe the grand opening already happened?

“The truth is, we only sent out one invitation.” I spun around to see an elderly gentleman standing behind the counter. “We think it’s time to go home.” 

#253 The Twilight Zone S2 E25 4/28/1961

Every night at the casino I’m at the poker table. My money and I are very well known. So when they invited me to the silent room, I was excited. I heard the wagers there are so extreme they are done in complete silence. You have to be willing to sign away your own heart then cut it out yourself if you lose.

The room was filled with desperate men frantically betting over and over again in the hopes they’ll win back more than they wagered. At their only poker table, opening bets started at fingers and ended with limbs.

#252 The Twilight Zone S2E5 11/4/1960

One night, my car broke down near a convent. They provided me with a place to stay for the night in one of their many sheds on the property. It wouldn’t be right for a stranger, a man, to sleep in their main home. All they ask is that I stay put and don’t wander the grounds.

The howling startled me awake. I thought it was an animal but knew differently when I walked outside. Why are there so many sheds, I wondered.

I walked up to one and peeked through a small window to see a man in chains.