Thoughts on Writing – Flash Fiction – “Into the Dark”

A while back I posted a couple flash fiction pieces based on the prompt, “Unicorn.”

Today, after a group meeting regarding flash fiction, Charli Mills of Carrot Ranch (A flash fiction writing community), gave us the prompt, “Into the Dark.”

For the purpose of these prompts, flash fiction is fiction with an exact count of 99 words.

I decided to write two variations. One that is unrelated to my other stories and is “lighter” in tone. The other is based on the events of Spirits of a Glitch / Fractured Skies, and is darker in tone.

Isaac also wrote a flash fiction piece. Since he doesn’t have a blog, I’m posting it for him here.

Enjoy. 😀

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“Freedom in the Darkness”

by Stephanie Flint

(Contemporary / Portal Fantasy)

Locust trees stand fast in the brambly forest before her, their long thorns defying the night wind, a forest dark with promising secrets. The steel gray sky flashes light. Flocks of swirling birds race the wind, specks of coal dust against the embers of clouds.

She wraps her arms tight around her sundress. One hesitant step after another, closer to the forest. The chilly wind raises gooseflesh along her bare neck.

A glance behind, to safety.

Thunder growls behind a distant farmstead. Cows shuffle close to the chicken coop.

They have safety, but her freedom lies in the darkness.

* * *

“Stalling”

by Stephanie Flint

(Based on the events of Spirits of a Glitch / Fractured Skies)

The agent holds his rifle close. Sweat trickles from his forehead, dripping into his eyes. Quick blinks. Fear… he senses danger around the corner. The seething, burning wrongness presses against his powers, then pulls.

Pulls at his spirit, his life…

Angry spirits, thirsting for revenge.

He swallows hard. The looming hall twists before him, his terror spinning familiar architecture into an uncertain whirl of rich rugs, steel doors, and clockwork lamps.

Clockwork lamps tick, tick, ticking until the generator stalls.

The hall goes dark.

Burning voices whisper in his head with cold, eager glee.

We are Legion… join us.

*

“Day of the Hawk”

by Isaac Flint

His nose fell to the ground, his whiskers twitched, his pupils constricted. He’d stayed out too late. The sun was out; the Hawk was out. His heart raced. He took to his feet across the garden.

A swoosh in the wind, his ears perked, he dodged around a stone, slid under a vine, splashed in a puddle.

The wind brought the scent of sundried feathers. He thought of pups, he thought of his mate. He was glad they were not in the sun. They were safe, deep down in the burrow, where he would soon go, into the dark.

* * *

I hope you enjoyed this post. Though we were a bit late for the Carrot Ranch “Into the Dark” prompt, if you want to participate in their weekly posts, head over to Carrot Ranch. 🙂