Category: 100 Word Stories

#121 BrainCation

“If you’ll just sign here. Here,” she paused as I hastily signed my name on every line she pointed out. “And here.” She smiled at me and my mouth suddenly yearned for a glass of water. My god. What have I done?

She pushed a blue button I hadn’t noticed before and two large men in ill-fitting lab coats appeared through a door labeled “NO EXIT.”

“If you just follow these gentlemen, they will take good care of you.” Her voice was calm and so reassuring. I no longer wondered if I made the right decision, signing away my brain.

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BrainCation

(Brān•cā•shən)・VERB・Beguiling flash fiction and musings to facilitate your escape from reality・Slavishly crafted by Stephen Scott, BBus (Comms), DipArse, KCRR, SLAI Life Fellow, Writer of Words Esq..

By Stephen Scott

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

#120 Talebones

“Gather round, children,” Elder Sarah said from her family room, a pipe dangling from her mouth. She wore a black and red checkered house dress and a necklace made of bones that rattled as she leaned back in her rocking chair.

Three young children sat at her feet and listened as she spun a tale their parent’s were told when they were children. When she had finished, the youngest pointed to her necklace and asked, “Why do you wear a necklace made of bones around your neck?”

“These are the fingers of children, not unlike you three, who were disobedient.”

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Talebones 🔭

Short and serialized fiction from writer S.E. Reid: speculative tales with a spiritual, supernatural, or uncanny twist!

By S.E. Reid

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

#119 On the 12th

No one had ever beaten this game in less than thirteen moves. It was impossible. Even the most advanced computers in the world couldn’t come up with a win in less than thirteen moves. 

All of that changed one night on international television. The entire world was watching. Each opponent moved methodically with each turn. Beads of sweat could be seen on both, bright lights overhead, every camera angle ready to capture it all.

An audible gasp came from the spectators and in homes all over the world after the eleventh move. Everyone knew history was about to be made.

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On the 12th from Vincent Marshall

Genre fiction writer leaning into the dark stuff of crime and horror. Dropping stories biweekly.

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

#118 The Warthog Report

“This is the story of a lifetime, Jerry. It’s the kind that takes a nothing paper like The ‘Hog’ and turns it into a real household name instead of highly recommended by fishermen’s wives.” 

Jerry teetered in her chair, feet propped up on the desk, considering her options in silence. She shook her head and pulled a cigarette from the inside pocket of her suit jacket.

“No dice, Trev. I’m through with this life. The ‘Hog’ is gonna have to sizzle without me. I’m moving on to bigger and better.”

“Nothing is better than the ‘Hog,’ and you know it.”

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The Warthog Report

Fantasy writing and writing about stories in all their forms.

By William F. Edwards

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

#117 Take a Moodle with Me

“And you’re sure it’s her time? I didn’t get the memo,” Zeke said, looking down from their perch in the clouds at Esther Jones in her garden, taking a nap on a lawn chair, hat shielding her face from the midday sun.

“Yes, well, when you’ve been in the business long enough, you go on instinct,” Raker said. “You’ll learn. Now go on so we can grab lunch after. I’m starving.”

Zeke tumbled out of the clouds, his wings spread instantly as he landed beside Esther. He extended his hand and she grabbed him by the wrist.

“Not today, angel.”

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Take a Moodle with Me

A “moodle” is a dawdle, a stroll, a meander undertaken to notice, appreciate and go where my curiosity takes me. Join me as I moodle through slow-living ideas encompassing as many aspects of my life as possible, including that all-important creative part!

By Debs Stott

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

#116 Ever Being Dreamed: Storytelling in Process

“…she called the tower her home—”

“But couldn’t she just take the stairs?” Tim asked, a look of concern on his face.

“Let’s keep reading and maybe your question will be answered,” his mother said, as she read, “She wanted to take the stairs but her door was locked. The only way out was through her window.”

“What did she do, mommy?” The bell tower rang out the first of twelve bells. She looked at her son and smiled.

“We’ll find out tomorrow,” she said, kissed him on the forehead and closed the door on the empty room behind her.

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Ever Being Dreamed: Storytelling in Process

Cultivating joy in the story-dreaming process. Short fiction and tips for writers & readers on nurturing imagination from a young adult sci-fi / fantasy author.

By Sarah G. Young

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

#115 Chokeville

My sentence was the most severe of them all. I tried a plea deal for a lethal injection but was denied. Instead I would serve out my life in Chokeville. The worst place on Earth for any self-respecting serial killer. 

There are those who may think we’re getting off easy, being forced to live together on an island. But what fun is killing if your next door neighbor sees you coming a mile away?

Tomorrow I’m to be transferred to the shipyard where a ferry will take me to my final resting place. If I’m lucky the ship will sink.

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Chokeville

A serial novel about two tough sisters trying to stay afloat in a zesty hardboiled pirate crime city. New chapter every Thursday.

By Josh Fireland

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

#114 KimBoo’s Scriptorium 🐉 House of York

A flat tire made me do it. Knock on the door of a cottage nestled at the end of a dead end street. The proprietor was pleasant enough. He let me use the phone in his study. There were books on the shelves about anatomy with a mix of horror and mystery classics.

The tow company couldn’t get to me till the next morning. In hindsight, I probably should’ve slept in my car.

The hairs on the back of my neck told me I was being watched. I wasn’t sure until I crept down to the basement where I found—

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KimBoo’s Scriptorium 🐉 House of York

Welcome to KimBoo’s fiction, non-fiction, and rando musings on being a writer! House of York is my “publication arm” covering my many A.I.s (Authorial Intelligences), and the Scriptorium is the room in the house filled errata and etcetera!

By ☕ KimBoo York

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

#113 Time Stands Still

Five reasons why you should never bury a body in the middle of a rain storm:

1. The body will be twice as heavy.

2. Serial killers never ask for help to carry the body.

3. Shoveling mud exerts too much energy.

4. If the victim has friends or relatives, they are more likely to check-in on their  well-being during times of inclement weather or natural disasters.

5. No matter how deep you dig, the rain will always uncover the truth.

Act now to get our pocket-sized “checklist for murder” and get it right every time or your money back.

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Time Stands Still

Thrills, suspense, horror, and longing. Fiction from Lucas Marino.

By L.C. Marino

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

#112 Project Fable

One day while plowing his fields, a farmer hears an animal in distress. He finds a bear trapped beneath a fallen tree. Without hesitation he manages to move the tree and the bear survives.

The following week, the farmer notices dark clouds rolling in. Signs that a storm is approaching. He rushes to his barn to secure his animals, then home. He decides wading across a knee-high creek would be faster, but he loses his footing and falls, hitting his head on a rock.

A bear nearby sees it happen and runs off to find shelter, as any bear would.

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Project Fable

Actions have consequences—what if it did not? A man rescued from the nether world discovers his soul accrues no karma. An emissary of Death plots revenge on the Gods. An empire is overthrown. Human virtue ebbs to its lowest. The age of malice has dawned.

By Sujan Sundareswaran

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