100-word stories

Redoubting Thomas

/ Steve Lakey / 2 Comments

sand-bags Photo: Sand Bags by Peter Griffin

 

The Weather forecast looked grim. High winds and flooding across England. 

Thomas knew what to do. As a war movie veteran, he got his reluctant family organised.

“Right, we need to build two lines of sand bags to form a flood redoubt”.

No one seemed to know what a redoubt was, but Thomas wasn’t to be put off.

“We don’t have sand or bags, so we’ll have to improvise. Kids, I’ll get some soil from the garden, you bring me pillow cases!”

Mum collected a week’s worth of provisions.

They waited, as the clouds parted…

and the sun streamed through.

 

100 Word Challenge

This is my entry for this week’s 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups from Julia’s Place. The prompt is the sun streamed through. Click here to view the other entries.

Striking a Chord

/ Steve Lakey / 22 Comments

dismantled-keyboard Photo: Copyright – Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

 

An enthusiastic young copper decided to take his drug search a little too far. In the old days, Mick would have slipped him a financial sweetener – no fun having your door kicked in at 3am.

He’d been off the stuff for months, but being an ageing Rock musician made Mick an easy target. He would call his lawyer, if only he had the cash to pay him.

Mick can’t look at the photo of his shattered keyboard without shedding a tear. He still keeps it close, just in case he’s ever tempted to go back on the white powder again.

 

This my contribution to Friday Fictioneers 100 Word Challenge, hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Please click the link for more details.

View other entries by clicking here.

The Fall

/ Steve Lakey / 4 Comments

100 Word Challenge

This story is my contribution for the ’100-Word Challenge for Grownups’, (100WCGU) from Julia’s Place. The prompt is “Fall”.

Click here to find more details. Please read the other stories in this challenge, by clicking here and following the link.

 

I blame myself. I never thought Jane would be the one to fall. I thought maybe my eldest daughter, April would. She’s always been the “nervous” type, who worries about anything.

But it was Jane. In and out of that psychiatric unit for two years. She had electro convulsive therapy, and that helped. It took a small part of her memories, but maybe she’s better off without some of those.

After the fall comes the long slow climb. She’s not there yet, but one day I’ll get my daughter back.

She may stumble, but I won’t let her fall again.

Blood Brothers (Friday Fictioneers)

/ Steve Lakey / 16 Comments

seagulls-wicklund Copyright E.A. Wicklund

The Friday Fictioneers’ challenge  is to tell a story in 100 words, based on the photo prompt set by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Please click here to view the other stories.

 

The calm sea was at odds with this violent struggle. Word spread around the flock, as one by one they flew in to witness the epic encounter.

Even though Steve and John were brothers, the two young gulls were ready to fight to the death. And in that moment, they were no longer brothers – they were mortal adversaries.

Steve’s supreme fighting skills were matched by John’s aerial prowess. Neither was prepared to back down.

John used his speed advantage and attacked. Steve parried and countered.

Then a clear, motherly voice cut across the bay. “Jonathan Seagull! Steven Seagull! It’s teatime!”