Damon L. Wakes's Blog, page 14

The Wizard and the Island King

Flash Fiction Month 2022, Day 31 Once there lived a wizard who hailed from a village on an island far beyond the coast. On this island there were no schools—save for the one that taught small children their letters in a single room—so when his talents were recognised, he was sent away to the mainland […]

Heed the Nineteen Hounds

Flash Fiction Month 2022, Day 30 Challenge #13: Write a story exactly 999 words in length that features a puzzle, cipher, or code. Its starting and ending lines must be the same as a starting and ending line from a previous story you have written this month. Optionally, the puzzle, cipher, or code must be […]

Grumblins

Flash Fiction Month 2022, Day 29 “There’s three rules you’ve gotta follow,” said the little Chinese kid. “Keep him out of the light—especially sunlight—it’ll kill him. Keep him away from water: don’t get him wet. And the most important rule—the rule you can never forget—no matter how much he cries, no matter how much he […]

The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Snarley Quinn

Flash Fiction Month 2022, Day 28 Challenge #12: Write a story in which a character fights for or against something. The last line must be shocking, and optionally there must be an unreliable narrator. “Name?” “Snarley Quinn.” “Occupation?” “I plead the fifth.” “Not a promising start, but let’s continue.” The judge glanced at the young […]

I Forced a Bot To Watch 1,000 Hours of Loose Cannon Cop Films and Write a Novelisation

Flash Fiction Month 2022, Day 27 Jimmy Fistnipples walks into the chief’s office like a badass. He is so much a badass that his nipples are fists. In case you were wondering. “Jimmy Fistnipples,” says the chief, slamming his palms on the desk so hard they sprout coconuts. “Why is it that whenever I put […]

Little Bombardier

Flash Fiction Month 2022, Day 26 Challenge #11: Write a piece of fanfiction incorporating lyrics from three songs of your choice. This story follows the inhabitants of Goblin Town from Labyrinth, and incorporates lyrics from three songs in its soundtrack: “No one can blame you for walking away” – Underground “Every thrill has gone / […]

Snow White and the Impractical Law of Succession

Flash Fiction Month 2022, Day 25 Once upon a time there lived an evil queen, known by all as the most beautiful woman in the land. Marked for greatness by her flawless skin and flaxen hair, her ascent to the throne was uncontested and her rule unquestioned. But this queen had yet one more power […]

Witness Not the Watcher

Flash Fiction Month 2022, Day 24 “Has Harry told you about tulpas yet?” “That Spanish thing?” Ryan had seen a restaurant in town. “I dunno if it’s Spanish, but it’s like…” Anton leaned in closer “…an imaginary friend! Like he’s gonna think about this anime girlfriend really hard—he’s way into anime—and that’ll make her real. […]

Hell Is Other People

Flash Fiction Month 2022, Day 23 Challenge #10: Write a story in collaboration with at least one other participant. The story must form a sequel combining one story from each author. Optionally, each author’s portion must follow the point of view of a character from a story that is not their own. This piece forms […]

Swing In for a Slice

Flash Fiction Month 2022, Day 22 “It is I!” announced the masked man who had just burst into the restaurant. “Fruit Ninja!” He swished his katana around for effect. “Excuse me, but isn’t that name already trademarked?” asked some guy swiping on his phone in the takeout waiting area. “Only in the context of computer […]