August 2016 75-word Writing Challenge -- VICTORY TO STILLEARNING!

[Calliopenjo]

It came from a place unknown to us, far beyond our ability to travel. It passes through wormholes and dimensions to deliver light to places that long forgot what it meant to see, to hear, to feel anything but darkness.

Neither man or woman, an unknown spirit travels to do good. Some say it travels by a long black train. Some say it travels by a long stream of light.

 

[EmeraldTempest]

Why am I immortal? Why?

The donation fell in the tray as usual, the scarlet liquid swirling in the plastic container.

He hated it.

It signified that his days as a hunter were over.

That now his endless existence was that of a glorified lab rat, relying on pity and mercy to get what he could not miss.

It was a sign of weakness.

He hated weakness.

He resisted longer than usual, but in the end his bloodthirst still won…

 

[Perpetual Man]

Not Nellie, the Other One

Betty the elephant led the parade, radiant.

Everyone cheered with adoration.

No-one cared about her age or the end of her era.

Even though retirement loomed she performed for all.

Virtually an avatar of Ganesh too.

Oh as she passed it was a blessing: Mazel tov!

Love to the people.

And to the thaumatic city as well.

Next year her son would grace the streets of utopia,

The start of a new pachyderm paradigm.

 

[Dan Jones]

The War on Terrier

King Dog paraded the kidnapped Prime Minister before his subjects below Westminster Station.

“For years humans domesticated us,” he barked. “But every dog has his day!”

The canines slobbered approvingly. “Neuter him!”

“No! The human promises to assist our triumphant ascent to his world, for mercy!”

The crowd rapt, Dog unveiled a picture swiped from the human world: a hieroglyph showing a human clutching a terrier. “The prophecy is clear: all dogs must be carried!”

 

[ratsy]

Thankful for the Small Things

Dean could feel the ship tense, as if it was a living thing. Every creak and propulsion shift set his heart racing.

He checked the nav-screen and saw he was three lightyears off course. No one to hear him scream.

Footsteps clanged on the metal grate flooring, each step getting closer.

He prayed for divine intervention, to no avail.

The creature was fast.

He was glad it had large teeth.

He died quickly.

 

[ThomasG]

Complete Integration

"Your report," Kuklan's translator sputtered.

"Food is well distributed, Oh, Benefactor. Adjustments are complete in Europe. One million died." As was proper, Franco looked away from the three legged, three armed, three eyed being. But to see Kuklan's dank, stinking court, with Kuklanites developing in weird plantlike wombs, was worse.

"Dissent?"

Futile to lie.

"The Scots."

Dejected, Franco walked home after concluding his humanity report. His Scottish wife opened up, their Kuklanite jumping with glee.

 

[Dulahan]

The Indescribables

When the machine arched across sky we held resolve and stood with noble ideal. Assembly was called, debated, and the state leaders spoke their piece.

Three words decided and communicated.

The machine opened and from it stepped beings indescribable witnessed humanity. Humanity witnessed them. They echoed our words, “Peace. Community. Love”

We celebrated then but now we weep. Our cities burn. The many enemies of these Indescribables have now made an enemy of us.

 

[AJB]

The Ginger Bread Man

The Ginger Bread Man loved having his friends round for coffee. The sounds of gossip and laughter fused with arabica fumes.

His friends would often get peckish. They loved ginger bread with their coffee. Just a little. He never wanted to disappoint them.

The Ginger Bread Man sat alone. His friends hadn't been round for a while. He sat, thin, insubstantial, crumbling a little more with each frail movement. They'd call again soon, surely.

 

[Culhwch]

Works Both Ways

‘Oy!’ Malakai dodged the vendor’s club, dropping the blushfruit he’d been trying to filch. ‘Bloody squids, nuffin’ but beggars an’ thieves. Off!’

Stomach rumbling, Malakai hastened away.

‘Boy!’ An old man stood by his cart, holding out a fat, juicy arango. ‘Here, take it.’

Malakai took the fruit, then bowed. ‘Thank you, sir. When the Dread Lord rises, I’ll pray that he spares you eternal torment.’

The old man smiled. ‘Kind of you, lad.’

 

[Cascade]

The Iron Lands

…in the eighth year, the Iron Lands were struck by drought and famine and the girl empress had a strip of skin flayed from her cheek to her shoulder in penance for her failure to provide.

The blade that scarred her sits in the Basilica, the third most holy relic of her reign.

In the 13th year…

 

[AstroZon]

The Disciple

Cyra walked around the small town. The streets were deserted save an old calico cat. "What a place to break down," she thought. "Not even satellite reception."

Unexpectedly, a voice whispered, "Help needed?" She turned but saw no one. Again, the voice whispered, "Your ship, fix needed?"

"Yes! Who are you?" Cyra asked. "A disciple of Melisent," responded the voice.

"It's behind that building," Cyra pointed. "Yes, I know. Fixed now."

The cat scampered away.

 

[mosaix]

Just The Two Of Us...

“You're not ready!” said Left Brain.

“Come on, play ball,” said Right, “you want out as much as I do.”

“Damn right. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you!”

“That's history. Today it's Parole Board.”

“They'll know we're lying.”

“I won't watch, you cover my ear. It'll be just you answering, telling the truth - about you.”

“Promise then. No more stalking, kidnaps, homicides.”

Out of sight, left hand's fingers crossed. “Promise.”

“Well... okay.”

 

[Bowler1]

Hungry and Homeless

No-one sees me.

Crowds pass me by.

Ignore me.

Unseen.

But I see you all.

Your dreams….

Your fears….

Your life….

Your very soul.

A coin, freely given, falls into my cold, empty and dirty hands.

Before she is lost to the crowd I take away her pain, cancer, cured by a touch of my mind.

One good deed, is it so much to ask for?

As crowds pass me by.

Unseen….

Unseen….

Unseen….

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Don’t



The story begins looming magnificently over me, spreading its wings of luminous color.

I’ve been pursuing it for weeks, and it’s so close.

I hold my breath.

This could be it. I reach out slowly, gently, rubbing its fuzzy middle.

It nuzzles tenderly at my hand as I feed it words.

I reach for more words, but my bag is empty.

The story snarls.

It bites off my hand, and I come to an end.

 

[Zoe Mackay]

Employment of Choice

Today, my cupboard is empty. My account is empty. My stomach is empty, and hunger robs me of options.

I go to the shop.

The assistants smile, as they must. Identical smiles on indistinguishable faces. I sign the form.

A flashing screen, a relentless narration. They are generous. Compassionate. Humane. I will be well rewarded. The process rips away my art, my soul, my hope.

I collect my uniform, and trade my dreams for survival.

 

[Phyrebrat]

Homo Supinus

At Think Tanks we believe evolution took a wrong turn at Homo Erectus.

Legs? Don't need ‘em!
Arms? Don't need ‘em!

Indulge yourself at Think Tanks. Retire early in our patented Rever-eCrib*, a pampered head and spine, whilst our Curates manifest your every thought.

Why talk or move again?

*Your jar is at risk if your sponsors fail to keep up payments; limbs removed are non-returnable. See T&C for definitions.

 

[Moonbat]

A Piston of Existence​

Is Mummy sick?
Yes, she has ventricular septal defects
Is it the demons?
Yes, they’re feasting on the holes in her heart,
Will she be OK?
No, there are too many demons.
Would angels help?
Of course, but we can’t spare even one.

Later Paul entered the bedroom to find his wife with their screaming daughter cradled in her arms.

‘What happened?’
‘She gave me her angels, all of them. Oh Paul she’s possessed!

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Benevobot, A Short Circuit, And Jeffrey

“Dum dee dum dum...hello there – have a dollar!”
“Wow, thanks!”
“Dip didley drep drip drup...it’s your lucky day, here’s a dollar!”
“Yay!”
“Deedle dum dorp dew...hey, is this your dollar?”
“It is now, hooray!”
*ZOLT* “Drurp...blaaaxx...hey stupid...BRULNK...here – it’s $987.47...in dollar bills...broolp...except...BROOLP...except the 47 cents...now get the hell outta here…FLOUNXX!”
“Could you give me a dollar instead, and be nice again?”
“...No.”

 

[Parson]

A True Ghost Patrol​

From 5 light hours out Chorrrup sneered at the hospital ship Newhope. The ship was overflowing salable booty. That tub would be no match for his jump capable Widowmaker. To stay unobserved as he disabled their ship he would fire from 5 downtime locations starting at 5 light minutes out. At location three Widowmaker was destroyed by an FTL missile.

-----

Captain Marie smiled “Thanks for keeping watch Casper. You are our only FTL warning system.”

 

[Ursa major]

​

Debut at the Griss Fell Benevolent Society Concert​

“So you like my new band, Dancing Shoe Mountains?”

“Better than most tribute bands… even Canker.”

“Ta! But they’re not copying anyone.”

“Yeah, right.”

“They’re the new Emerson, Slake and—”

“Stop right there! They’re ESP remade, aren’t they? Don’t deny it. I know you studied Thaumaturgy at University… and don’t tell me you live in Brock Marsh for the fun of it.”

“What’s giving them away?”

“The rhythm: it’s all about the bass lag….”

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