Category: 100 Word Stories

#221 Seven of Parchment

“We ought to turn back, James.” He wiped sweat from his brow and took small breaths to keep from inhaling dirt and age that lingered in the cavern.

“Nonsense. We’ve come this far. What we’re looking for is just a few meters this way. I can feel it, mate. We’re almost there!” He slapped Charlie on the shoulder. His last sentence echoed down the tunnel. The sound traveling endlessly.

James whistled as they crawled. Infuriating Charlie even more. Finally, they approached an opening. James switched on his headlamp to get a better look.

“Bloody hell,” echoed through hundreds more tunnels.

#220 Six of Parchment

Before he died, Mr. Abernathy withdrew all the money he had in his many bank accounts and hid it somewhere in his house.

The executor then read his wishes aloud to family and friends:

Whosoever finds my fortune keeps it. But only if they make it out alive.

Suddenly, a series of doors and windows locking was heard throughout the house. The six guests knew they were trapped.

“Until someone finds the money no one can leave. But I must warn you, try to escape or cheat and your life ends here.”

At first no one moved.

Then everyone ran.

#219 Five of Parchment

“Trust me. I heard it’s a ride we’ll never forget,” she said, squeezing his hand tightly.

“I heard it’s just some boring Tunnel of Love. With all the really cool things to do at a carnival you really wanna do this?”

“It’s more romantic. But after we can do whatever you want,” she said, leading him by the arm through crowds of people.

“Step right up, two by two only, for a ride that will change your life,” shouted the carnival barker as he looked down and winked at the couples beginning their ride.

The bloodcurdling screams started soon after.

#218 Four of Parchment

“Who are you? I don’t show mercy to intruders!” she shouted at the apparition hovering in the middle of her living room.

“Don’t you recognize me? I see time hasn’t been your friend after forty years. Has it really been that long.” The old woman squinted at the ghost. Then her eyes widened. “Ah, you do remember me.”

“You’re late,” she said, lighting a cigarette and blowing smoke at the ghost. “If you’re here to scare me or make me feel guilty, save your non-existent breath. You deserved everything you got.”

“In that case, fancy a game of chess?”

#217 Three of Parchment

They say writing a story is solitary. Not for me. There are actually three of us.

There’s me, the main character. The one you think closely resembles yourself. Smart. Witty. But flawed. In need of help to be better and grow over time in the story. But I’m not really you, am I?

I don’t know. I like to think I can play the lead role in a story. It is my story after all—

Don’t forget about me. I’m the one you deny. The villain. The evil that has more in common with you than you care to admit.

#216 Two of Parchment

The voice. I can’t stop hearing it. I know who it is. Talking in my head. Narrating a life I’ve never lived. Distracting me from the one I’m living.

It started the day I was attacked by a masked assailant. Head hid the pavement and I was asleep for ten days. They say I was lucky. Tell that to the voice in my head!

I’m not who I think I am. I’m a victim of circumstance. No! I’m a fighter of lost causes. I am a lost cause! No! I am a torn soul.

When I sleep I’m another me.

Some more Free-to-Read 100 Word Stories

31 May 2023 Stories | 30 June 2023 Stories | 31 July 2023 Stories | 31 August 2023 Stories | 30 September 2023 Stories | 31 October 2023 Stories / 30 November 2023 Stories |
31 December 2023 Stories

#215 Ace of Parchment

I found an old key one day while leaning up against a tree, taking a nap. Ever since then I’ve been trying to find the door it belongs to.

My family and friends might say I’ve become obsessed with finding it. But that’s not true. For instance, I’ve stopped trying it on newer doors. And I haven’t broken into anyone’s home in two days. Now, I’d say that’s progress.

Truth is, I’ve been staking out this one house for several days. My research tells me every door inside will be old. I hope one of them will open for me!

#214

She knocked on the door softly. Hoping no one was home. “It’s open.” The voice came as a whisper through the door. Her hand was shaking as she pushed the door open.

If she failed this test then it would mean the end. There would be no do over. Her fate, and destination, would be sealed.

She took her seat at the one desk in the center of the room and exhaled slowly to steady her nerves.

The examiner appeared and smiled at her. “No need to be afraid, Helen. Everyone taking the test for their wings gets the jitters.”

#213 Tai Tales

The old, grey, flamingo spent every morning under the shade of a weeping willow. Afraid of stepping out into the sunlight. Knowing the other flamingos wouldn’t understand, or worse, would attack.

All the other flamingos were a bright shade of pink, or green, or even violet. They took on the color of their flock and walked around with their long necks held high, proud of their colorful heritage.

To be grey, was to be without flock or family. Until one morning storm clouds appeared in the sky and lightning struck the brightest colors. 

When the clouds parted, only grey remained.

In keeping with the theme for the rest of November, check out the publication whose name I used for the story you just read. And if you like their writing, give them a Subscribe to let them know!

Tai Tales

I tell many tales: fiction, memoir & essays. Currently writing a sci-fi composite novel & documenting my writing/publishing journey. Malaysian.

By Elizabeth Tai

Special thanks to for being a part of the Substack Fiction Community and now a part of my 100 Word Story journey.

#212 Along the Hudson

“We’re going in there? You’re mad!” She backed away from the water, or something that once resembled water. Now it was thick with sludge and no signs of life.

“Trust me. This is the place. No one will ever think to find us here,” he said, reaching out his hand to hers. 

She shook her head. “I can’t swim. There’s gotta be another way.” The full moon illuminated the dark waters as sirens and a helicopter could be heard in the distance. They were cornered.

She grabbed his hand and they jumped in. Helicopter lights scanned the now calm waters.

In keeping with the theme for the rest of November, check out the publication whose name I used for the story you just read. And if you like their writing, give them a Subscribe to let them know!

Along the Hudson

Original fiction delivered from my home along the Hudson River.

By Justin Deming

Special thanks to for being a part of the Substack Fiction Community and now a part of my 100 Word Story journey.