Austin Briggs's Blog, page 58
July 4, 2012
A Deal Done
“So what’s it worth, in money?”
“Nice try, Benjamin.”
Ben swallowed, the tightness in his throat did not lessen.
“Hey, I could make some money, I’ve got at least 20 years left!”
He adjusted his suit and looked at Ben with a disturbing mix of pity and hunger in his eyes, mostly hunger.
A Deal Done is a post from: Aztec Books
July 3, 2012
Summer Son
Jake leaned on the shovel and wiped the sweat of the west Texas summer from his brow. Red grit coated his clothing, crunched between his teeth.
The last bit of earth now in place, he removed his hat and knelt by the grave.
“There you go, Ma. I brought you home, just like I promised.”
Summer Son is a post from: Aztec Books
July 2, 2012
Promises Kept
I never thought this would happen, not to me. Not in the garbage-strewn alley behind my apartment, blood blooming like a grotesque flower from my chest.
Carrie stood over me, hands white-knuckled around my Glock, eyes aglitter in her bruised and swollen face.
“A promise is a promise, David.”
Guess I should have believed her. . . .
Promises Kept is a post from: Aztec Books
Getting There
“You said you’d take me.”
“Things change sometimes, Joey.” Mike avoided the boy’s eyes.
“But you said you would. You said.”
Mike sat down on the curb next to him. “The money is gone. We’d have to walk.”
Joey nodded, eyes down.
Mike sighed and smiled. “C’mon. A long walk will do us good.”
Getting There is a post from: Aztec Books
A Promise For A Life
“You promised!” The words echoed in my mind as I stared at the prone figure attached to various tubes and other life-giving apparatus.
Linda was going to have to forgive me for breaking her trust, for I simply cannot make myself sanction her death. Sometimes promises just have to be broken.
A Promise For A Life is a post from: Aztec Books
June 2012 Contest Winner
Hi all, it’s time to announce our June 2012 winner.
The June prompt was “A Beautiful Friend”, and because this was the first months after a brief lull, we’ve had less entries than usual. It was a great pleasure to see all the talented entries.
Here’s our winner – congratulations! 
Crystal Whimsey for her poetic and sarcastic entry, “Such a Beautiful Friend was She”.
I’ll contact Crystal by email to wire the winnings: $55 for the first prize.
I’m truly, truly grateful to all authors and readers who stopped by to send in their stories and to vote. Many thanks to all, and let’s begin our July contest!
The prompt for July is:
A Promise
Happy flash-writing!
Austin.
June 2012 Contest Winner is a post from: Aztec Books
June 27, 2012
Plucked
Boys who were too frightened to be bold and go for gold, came for me. My beautiful friend was left alone whilst I learned how to love and be loved back again. Then, one day, her man showed up. Colossal. Heroic. Not scared. She laid herself low for him, surrendered. Was taken. Lost.
Joanna Traynor.
Plucked is a post from: Aztec Books
June 26, 2012
No Words Need Be Spoken
I feel arms wrapping around me, enveloping me in body heat as my body shudders from the effort of holding back sobs. The silent understanding and offer of love is enough to release the flood of tears, cascading down my cheeks while I give in to the need for release.
No Words Need Be Spoken is a post from: Aztec Books
Soldier Toy
For two years his declarations of war raged. Those nagging incurable heart cramps, having radiated vestiges of an idealistic youth and enviable past. Ultimately undermined, becoming more fractured and agitated coming close to the abyss, but managing to step away. An artistic revolution even Rembrandt would envy.
Liam O’Hare.
Soldier Toy is a post from: Aztec Books
A Beautiful Friend
“Barb, a cup of tea should be the perfect remedy to make you unwind.” Returning from the kitchen, Tracy places the steamy cup in Barb’s delicate soft hands.
She looks up at Tracy and says with a soft voice, ” Tracy, I appreciate you being here with me. It means so much having a beautiful friend.”
A Beautiful Friend is a post from: Aztec Books
