Oren Shafir's Blog, page 2

Dog comic: Grrr

Dog Comic Strip: Happiness Is a Warm Dog

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On Halloween (A 70-word freaky flash fiction story) by Oren Shafir

After the kids stopped coming to the door, I fell asleep in your room. In a dream, you appeared fully grown–your silhouette pushing against the frosted window pane.You pushed harder and harder, but to no effect. You moaned and, as if inspired by your madness, a wind began howling and thumping against the window; I wanted to let you in, but I was scared. I awoke.

Then I saw the empty crib.

Good China (a 120-word freaky flash fiction story) by Oren Shafir

It wasn't that you said you were leaving. Why darling, if anything, that finally showed that you have some mettle.
It certainly wasn't that you said were leaving for one of your students. That was so boringly predictable, I had to struggle to keep my eyes open listening to you stammer through your shocking confession. But rising to leave in the middle of dinner? Now that was just rude. Oh, don’t worry darling; I’m done with my little tantrum now. Just let me rinse off my knife and finish my d...

The Gentle Ticking of Your Heart (a 162-word freaky flash fiction story) by Oren Shafir

``Count backwards from 10.''

``10, 9, ...''
8,7,6... You continue in your head. You cannot speak, and they cannot hear you. They are not aware of you as a conscious being at all. They mark your body with a pen and smear it with cold  antiseptic.
``Scalpel.''
The sharp sting of your skin being sliced open. A growing burn. The whirling rush of the motor saw. Loud and loud and louder.
You scream, but they cannot hear you. Your fear is so extreme it is beyond fear. Beyond pain. Outside the constr...

The Gentle Ticking of Your Heart (a 162-word freaky flash fiction story)

``Count backwards from 10.''

``10, 9, ...''
8,7,6... You continue in your head. You cannot speak, and they cannot hear you. They are not aware of you as a conscious being at all. They mark your body with a pen and smear it with cold  antiseptic.
``Scalpel.''
The sharp sting of your skin being sliced open. A growing burn. The whirling rush of the motor saw. Loud and loud and louder.
You scream, but they cannot hear you. Your fear is so extreme it is beyond fear. Beyond pain. Outside the constr...

Dark Thoughts (a 100-word freaky flash fiction horror story) by Oren Shafir

"Honey is everything alright?" she calls from the kitchen.



Before I even knew what was happening, I'd jumped out of my chair knocking my glass off the table. It landed with a thud leaving a clear liquid streak across the light hardwood floor.



I can feel my heart pumping. A breeze from the open window. The hair on my arm. What do I do next?



Her baby is crawling on the ledge. I remain still.

Bloodstained Valentine (a 400-word freaky flash fiction story) by Oren Shafir

I can't sleep yet. Just as I nearly nod off, something tickles the tips of my fingers, and my eyes jolt open to face the glaring red eyes of a fat fucking rat. I'm not dead, I scream. But after it scurries off, I realize I owe it a thanks for waking me. Even though, it would be so easy just to close my heavy eyes. But I can’t. I need to answer your card first. Your bloody valentine card. 
We could have gotten away together, but they took it all back and left me lying in the dirty bla...

I Dream the Future (a 300-word freaky flash fiction story) by Oren Shafir

I watch Teddy sleeping. His cheeks, almost translucent, are glowing. His fair hair, fine as feathers, is sprawled across the Spiderman pillowcase, and his small fingers are curled up into a fist. He giggles in his sleep, and it makes me laugh out loud. Watching him. Just watching him sleep is pure joy. I envy him his dreams though.
Once upon a time, I was a boy who could dream like him. I scored the winning goal, won the biggest prize, or even discovered I had the ability to float off the grou...

Martha's Throat (a 300-word flash fiction horror story) by Oren Shafir

Even as I called her name, I knew something horrible had happened.
The lights were on in the kitchen, yet soft yellow sunlight filled the room like a poisonous vapor. From the basement came the sound of the washing machine's incessant beeping, and my heart immediately accelerated to match its rhythm. I looked down at dark red footprints that became a long bloody smear leading across the pinewood floor and into the living room.

There she was with her back to me. She was propped up on the so...