Cathryn Grant's Blog, page 5

1-Minute Fiction: Blue Sky

Clouds had settled across the entire sky. They sat there like a thick blanket, smothering everything. He closed his eyes against the cold breeze and their oppressive presence. Do nothing. Wait. When he opened his eyes, a small opening had appeared, revealing the blue beyond.

3-Minute Fiction: Request Denied

The plastic card scraped across the formica counter as Wendy swept the crumbs from her bagel into her hand and sprinkled them into the trash. She spoke without turning. “You didn’t accept my friend request.” Silvie was pretty sure this was not how it was supposed to work. You connected online, not by dragging pieces of your virtual world into the physical spaces of your life. Wendy turned. “Well?” “I’m not sure.” “Not sure about what?” “I’m not very social.” Wendy laughed. “I already know tha...

1-Minute Fiction: Gone

She twisted the ring, angling it so the sun reflected off the diamond. With a mind of its own, the ring slid off her finger. It pinged against the grate and slipped between the bars before she could fall to her knees. Too late, the tiny diamond ring, all he could afford, was gone.

1-Minute Fiction: Defeat

She walked briskly, inhaling the pre-dawn air. Ahead on the path stood a crow. His eyes bored into her. She slowed, advancing cautiously, certain her presence would frighten him. The bird hopped toward her, its lethal beak pointed directly at her. She turned and walked the other way, defeated. A moment later, the thick sound of beating wings was overhead. A draft of air engulfed her as several birds swooped toward her head.

Gone

She twisted the ring, angling it so the sun reflected off the diamond. With a mind of its own, the ring slid off her finger. It pinged against the grate and slipped between the bars before she could fall to her knees. Too late, the tiny diamond ring, all he could afford, was gone.

3-Minute Fiction: Immersion

Baptism in the ocean was their tradition. The practice both intrigued and terrified her. But the terror won out. Every time. She would always be left on the shore, watching others find ecstatic joy, and salvation, and all the good things that came with it. Others felt their souls washed clean. The preacher held the repentant sinner in his arms, lowering her beneath the waves for only a few seconds, then lifting her upper body out of the water. He prayed. He talked about death and rebirth into...

1-Minute Fiction: Wiped Clean

Every night in the dark, the questions appeared. Why? When?! What if..? How long?? Should I?!? In the morning, the white board was wiped clean.

1-Minute Fiction: Wet Paint

The colors of the painting were rich with life. She gazed at it every morning while she sipped her tea. Today, something drew her closer. The red was darker, disturbing in a way she couldn’t explain. She touched her finger to the streak of paint. It came away smeared with red. She put her fingertip close to her nostrils and inhaled — the odor of blood.

1-Minute Fiction: Deception

It was vibrant green. A color impossible to imitate with paint. She picked it up, already tasting the juice, chewing the flesh. She opened her mouth, moving the apple close to her lips. Her skin touched the half that had been hidden. It was soft, pulpy brown with furry gray clusters. The smell of rot filled her nostrils.

3-Minute Fiction: The Unlit Mirror

The restaurant didn’t have a bathroom of its own. Instead, the server had directed her outside and around the corner to an alley where a public restroom was shared by three restaurants which backed up to the alley. It seemed a rather dicey setup for a nice restaurant, but the dining area and kitchen were small, so possibly they had no choice. She opened the door. The room was nearly dark, but she could see a pedestal sink to her left topped by an elaborately framed mirror. The glass was dark,...