Flash Fiction

I’m a fill-in, but I should be happy: I’m a guest on The Elaine Show.But Elaine walks past my room to Scarlet Reed’s.Who is she anyway?A tramp, famous for a leaked…

Darren walked into the office as Sheila stood by the printer. “This mean…?” Darren nervously rubbed his rough hands, worn from years on concrete. “Move-in’s tomorrow,” Sheila said, smiling. Darren…

Carmina, six, lowers her violin. “You’re destined for greatness,” says her instructor, her eyes misty. A violin squeaks in the neighboring room. “No! Stop! You’re a hopeless cause.” Carmina waits…

The best way to celebrate being left unattended was, of course, for the brothers to play soccer in the house. They were unstoppable. Until the ball exploded their mother’s $10,000…

Five-year-old Netty knew every line of Wizal the Wizard by heart. But how did he turn the rock into gold? How did he turn the tree into a mountain? How did he…

A measure of music found its way into Dr. Flow’s head. It wasn’t edgy like his others. But the earworm melody hooked him.​For months, the measure played in his head,…

SHch SHch SHch.​Sixteen-year-old Selma’s eyes tear open.​Her window, her walls, her bed thrum. Selma can’t move!​​Snap.A beam of light.Her window lifts.Two bug-eyed humanoid creatures float in.​Selma manages to tap her music…

“I’m telling you, Doc, I’ve been in a loving relationship with Olivia for fifty years. She’s still here, just a bit more… shy.”​Hal sits on the park bench; I stay standing.​“Where…

Dina kept the young monster in the cellar. On bad days, Dina beat it — scared it with its own reflection. On good days, Dina forgot all about it, and…

“The best screenplay goes to… Inari Okamoto for Diabolus Ex Machina!”Applause erupts.Can it be?After fifty years, Inari is a winner?​Sound disappears as she climbs the steps.​The blood, the sweat, the…