Tag Archives: fantasy

February 9, 2015

The Bronze Lady

The Bronze Lady

There was a crunch and the chariot lurched. Another puppy gone. A scream from the owner.

“Watch where you’re going, you maniac!”

“Shut up, shut up!” Boudicca yelled. She maneuvered the chariot further into the dog park. This clearly hadn’t been a good idea.

“Are you insane?”

“I’m trying to give the horses some exercise!” she shouted over her shoulder. There were too many trees here for a good run.

“They’re bronze! Why do they need exercise?” someone yelled.

“Well, I don’t need to kick your arse, but I still might,” she said, pulling back a bronze foot to emphasize her point.

It was no good anyway; the heavy wheels were sinking into the turf. She turned around and retreated.

As she rode back sadly along Bridge Street to her pedestal, cars honking behind her, she sighed. There was no place in this modern world for a bronze woman. It was lonely, being the only one of her kind. If only her friend the Iron Lady were still alive.

17 Comments | tags: Alastair's Photo Fiction, Boudicca, bronze, dog park, fantasy, fiction, flash fiction, funny, lady, London, Margaret Thatcher | posted in Light

December 26, 2014

Kid Logic – Friday Fictioneers

By David Stewart

Merry Christmas to everyone from the Green-Walled Tower! There is no snow touching its ivy-covered sides since this year has been unseasonably warm where I am, although it is still Christmas inside. I have been surrounded by young children and Christmas themes this weeks: thus, this story.

Kid Logic

The boys charged up the steps of the old castle, glad to be free of the car.

“The steps are lava!” Jack yelled.

“But they’re green,” Henry said. “They’re like little Christmas trees. Maybe there are tiny people there who decorate them at Christmas.”

“And Santa delivers presents, riding in the Catbus.”

“And then a dragon comes out of the ground and fights the Catbus and the people hide in the Christmas trees.”

“Yeah, they climb inside ornaments and use them for their houses.”

At that moment, Batman ballerina ran between them, crushing innumerable imaginary Christmas trees under her feet.

my little Batman ballerina

26 Comments | tags: castle, children, fantasy, fiction, flash fiction, Friday Fictioneers, funny, imagination, logic, quirky | posted in Friday Fictioneers

December 13, 2014

Attack of the Cubblies

By David Stewart

And now for something completely different.

Attack of the Cubblies

“Your Majesty, after several failed attempts, we finally managed to capture one of the invading Cubblies. It’s imprisoned in one of the outbuildings.

“Well, can you interrogate it?” the king asked. “Find out what they want, man!”

“It’s just too cute, your Majesty,” the captain said, his face reddening. “The first man who tried to interrogate it untied it and was going to bring it home as a present for his children.”

“Well, find someone who isn’t so damned sentimental then.”

“We did, I’m afraid. That first man we chose was Major Hickens, who is the most bitter, misanthropic man we’ve got. The others don’t stand a chance.”

“You’d better kill it then. We can’t take any chances.”

“How are we going to do that, your Majesty? None of the men will put a hand on it.”

“Well, dammit man! Thank of a way. One of you throw a bag over it, hand to another and get him to drop it in the river. Use your creativity.”

There was a thud on the roof. “What’s that?”

“They’re catapulting themselves over the walls, your Majesty.”

The window smashed and a fluffy, round Cubbly bounced towards the throne. Its wide, liquid eyes sparkled and it stretched out stubby arms towards the king as it tottered towards him. “I wuv you!”

“Aww, that’s adorable,” the king said. “Let’s surrender.”

11 Comments | tags: Alastair's Photo Fiction, attack, castle, cubbly, cute, fantasy, fiction, flash fiction, king, quirky | posted in Light

October 22, 2014

Waiting for Hubby – Friday Fictioneers

By David Stewart

Waiting for Hubby

“Aren’t you cold out here, Grandma?”

“No.” She stared out at the monochromatic sea, ruffled by a chilly breeze. “I’m just waiting for my husband. He should be here soon.”

Poor Grandma. Her mind was adrift, like a ship becalmed on a foggy sea. I didn’t have the heart to tell her Grandpa was ten years gone and buried.

I was just leaving when the sea erupted in spray and a huge man emerged.

Grandma caught my look of shock. “My first husband . . .”

“Poseidon?”

She laughed. “That water lily? No, this is Njörðr.”

Good on you, Grandma. Good on you.

33 Comments | tags: fantasy, fiction, flash fiction, Friday Fictioneers, grandmother, Njörðr, Njord, ocean, waiting | posted in Friday Fictioneers

October 9, 2014

Beating Swords into Saxophones – Friday Fictioneers

By David Stewart

Beating Swords into Saxophones

The Earth was snoozing peacefully—the sunny Sunday afternoon of history—when the aliens came to prod through what remained of human civilization, oohing and ahhing in incomprehension over our ruined cities and quaintly antique technology.

They found our weapon caches delightful. The casing of a Minuteman made a pleasant booming when hit with the butt of an M-16 and .50 bullets strung up on trip wire cable laughed and sang as they tinkled together in the wind.

Then one poked at a landmine, with explosive results. “Save that for the concert,” the leader said. “That’ll be the grand finale.”

28 Comments | tags: aliens, fantasy, fiction, flash fiction, Friday Fictioneers, music, post apocalyptic, science fiction, weapons | posted in Friday Fictioneers

September 24, 2014

Code Red – Friday Fictioneers

By David Stewart

Code Red

When you build your civilization on the chin of a sleeping giant, certain precautions are essential. The citizens of Menton all remembered the Twitch of ’62 and the Slight Yawn of ’78. Now, there were rumblings far below that portended something greater, possibly even a belch.

“Upgrade to code red,” the security officer said. The soldiers carried the luminous signboard around Mouth Rift and propped it against the giant’s nose.

A moment later, gale force winds started rushing into the nostrils. Sneeze sirens blared.

“What did you do?” the officer yelled.

“Nothing! Just used a new paint called Cayenne Red.”

45 Comments | tags: code red, fantasy, fiction, flash fiction, Friday Fictioneers, funny, giant, sneeze | posted in Friday Fictioneers

September 17, 2014

Salt Flats Terror – Friday Fictioneers

By David Stewart

This is by far the longest Friday Fictioneers story I’ve ever written, although don’t worry: it’s still 100 words exactly. It’s experimental, as many of mine are. I think it’s pretty clear, but please ask if you don’t understand it.

Salt Flats Terror

47 Comments | tags: darkness, escape, fantasy, fiction, flash fiction, Friday Fictioneers, monster, salt | posted in Friday Fictioneers

September 10, 2014

Mirror Man – Friday Fictioneers

By David Stewart

Mirror Man

I spent eight months imprisoned in a bathroom. Food was pushed under the door.

Pancakes mostly; maybe some deli ham.

The only company I had was the man in the mirror. “Why? Why?” I screamed at him. He never answered, just childishly mimicked my every move.

Finally I really examined the door. It was locked from the inside.

That deepened my concerns.

Outside, I found a house with a woman living in it. Her wedding ring matched mine.

“Why?” I shouted at her.

“You made me,” she said, cringing.

No, not me. It was that damned man in the mirror.

42 Comments | tags: bathroom, creepy, fantasy, fiction, flash fiction, Friday Fictioneers, kidnapping, prisoner | posted in Friday Fictioneers

September 8, 2014

Memory Flames – Friday Fictioneers

By David Stewart

I can definitely say that this is the latest I’ve ever posted a Friday Fictioneers story. I’ve been the first one before, so now I guess I’m trying to be the last. I started a new job today as an ESL Instructor at a university in Iowa and also moved into a new place this weekend, so I’m hoping after this to finally settle down to a routine. This summer has been quite crazy in many ways. I apologize that I have not been able to read many stories in the last few months. I will try to be better about that from now on.

I would say that this story is weird, but that describes most of mine. I’d say it’s different, but . . . again. Read it and tell me what you think.

Memory Flames

When I first saw it, it terrified me. I had emerged from subterranean haunts far below and saw it dancing a hypnotic, alien gyration on the edge of my vision.

It was the Other and as much as it repelled me, I drew closer because of a ghost of a memory long ago. It reminded me of her, before we were sundered; before she ascended and I sunk down to personify the Underworld.

* * *

Frank came back from gathering wood and froze. A shadow, like an incorporeal old man was bending over his campfire, warming non-existent hands over its cheery flames.

21 Comments | tags: darkness, fantasy, fiction, fire, flash fiction, Friday Fictioneers, memory, shadow | posted in Friday Fictioneers

August 20, 2014

Truck Reborn – Friday Fictioneers

By David Stewart

Truck Reborn

The state fair was abuzz with the news: a boy had grown a truck for his 4-H project.

“How did you do it?” the judge asked.

“I planted part of the chassis and watered it with motor oil, infused with Miracle-Gro,” the boy said dully. His was the only unexcited face in sight. “It doesn’t matter: it didn’t work.”

“What do you mean? This is a miracle! You took a wrecked truck and brought it back to life.”

“But I did it for my dad.”

“Ah,” the judge said. “Where is he?”

“He was in the truck when it wrecked.”