Category: 100 Word Stories

#231 On the fourth day…

“We need to go after her,” the oldest Fontaine suggested.

“I wouldn’t if I were you, sir. Weather forecast says a storm is coming and the birds are circling.”

The remaining Fontaines watched from the window as aunt Dottie ran by, arms flailing, trying to ward off the birds that were taking turns pecking her.

A loud speaker suddenly started playing a holiday song, startling everyone.

The curtains slowly closed throughout the house as the sound of heavy boots stomped towards them.

The adults gasped and the children chuckled, surprised to see Santa Claus carrying a bag full of presents.

#230 On the third day…

“Frank?” She said and ran outside. Everyone else watched from the window. It was far too cold outside.

“Do you think it followed us here?”

“Not that again!” One of the female adults said, lighting a cigarette to help calm her nerves. “For the last time, Jude, there isn’t some spirit following us.”

“Tell that to Dottie,” Jude said, pointing towards the window.

“You can’t, mom. She just ran away,” one of the boys said.

The adults looked out the window. Bloody footprints in the snow moving away from the house and into the darkness.

“She won’t get very far.”

#229 On the second day…

When the lights came on everyone wondered who screamed. There were no little girls among them. Just four disinterested boys. 

“Perhaps it was Felicity,” said the manager at the far end of the dining room. “Sir Martin Bell’s daughter. Disappeared when she was just nine. He took his own life after searching for a decade with no hope.”

“Morbid,” one of the guests said, clutching her boys to her bosom.

“Where’s Frank?” another asked.

“I think he’s outside, auntie Dotty.”

Everyone gasped at the sight of a body surrounded by red snow while two white birds pecked at his eyes.

#228 King of Parchment & On the first day

Everyone received the same postcard. Some were excited. Others were apprehensive. One thing was for sure; everyone had to go.

It’s that time of year again, when the Fontaine family select one lucky out of the way location to spend the holidays together. They were all to gather at Silver Bells Lodge up in the mountains.

Twenty guests arrived throughout the day. Full of smiles and good cheer. That is, until dinnertime.

Twenty guests sat down to dine under the portrait of Sir Martin Bell. His gaze spooked them all, then the lights went out, and a little girl screamed.

#227 Queen of Parchment

We rode all night on that motorcycle. I sat behind her. My arms wrapped around her waist. The wind whipping past us on the open road. I didn’t ask where we were going. I knew she wouldn’t tell me. She never did on nights like these.

With the tank nearly empty we stopped at a gas station. She filled the tank while I avoided contact with the toilet seat in the bathroom. When I came out there were snowflakes falling. Winter had arrived unexpectedly. I closed my eyes and stuck my tongue out.

When I opened them, she was gone.

#226 Knight of Parchment

In search of water, they walked on. Through the red dust hills and triple digit temperatures. When their party set out they numbered several dozen. One more drops, leaving only five.

Their leader held his hand up for everyone to stop…and listen…

The ground began to rumble below their feet. Small rocks danced around. He got down on his hands and knees and pressed his ear to the ground.

He knew what was coming and quickly got to his feet as he whispered to the others, with a smirk on his face, “water.” He shouted, “WATER!” And everyone wept.

#225 Page of Parchment

Is he sleeping. Thinking of our time together. When we’d lay on a blanket in the park and avoid total strangers.

He looks so peaceful lying there. I dare not wake him. I want to remember him this way for always. The way his smirk never changes whether he’s happy or angry. After all this time I never can tell.

His fingers so long and slender. Not how they used to be. Bawled fists making contact—

“It was a lovely service my dear. More than he deserved.”

I didn’t take my eyes from the coffin till they shut the lid.

#224 Ten of Parchment

He sat at the bar for hours. One drink. Two glasses of water. Bathroom break. Repeat. He was there when it was empty and risked losing his seat at the bar to visit the bathroom for the fifth time once it got crowded.

Upon his return he spotted a statuesque blonde in 6” stilettos trying to get the attention of the barman. He stepped up. Good customers get immediate attention.

“What are you drinking?” he asked. Slight grin on his face as he pressed up.

“That depends, sugar,” he said, flicking his blonde hair back to show his facial hair.

#223 Nine of Parchment

#222 Eight of Parchment

Welcome. Welcome. Come in. I’ve been expecting you. I’ve been working on this trick, you see, for the last couple of… 

Oh dear, what was I saying? 

Yes, I see you’ve noticed my latest creation. I built her myself. It was nothing really. I have a mind for these sorts of toys. My mother always said—She was…is…she is a beautiful woman. Spends most of her time locked away in her bedroom. 

Wait! You mustn’t go. You only just arrived. And I have so much to show you. You see, I’ve been here for…

Who…who are you?