NOVEMBER 2021 -- 75 Word Writing Challenge -- VICTORY TO THE JUDGE!!

[dgackst]

When Money's on the Line, What Good Is Gratitude?

“Please,” Donny said. “I’ll do anything for those tickets.”

“Beat it, fanboy,” Ash said. “No money no tickets.”

Ash was a ticket scalper---the best in the biz. And he had the last two tickets for the sold-out hover car race tonight.

“But the autograph picture of Cannon I’m offering is worth more!”

Ash flashed his tickets to a couple walking past. The woman nodded. “See? These people have money. I’ve no use for pictures.”

 

[Wayne Mack]

The Last Wheelchair​

I rolled the worn wheelchair to the curb, never to be used again. There had been numerous surgeries and endless physical therapy sessions; my wife had been the first. I watched her struggle. I watched her cry. I cried myself, but the mind learned the machine and the machine subjugated itself to the mind.

Synapse to sensor to actuator to joint. Mechanics to electronics to neurotransmitter. Man and machine. My wife would walk again.

 

[Hugh]

August Moon​

It was an idyllic August evening. A silvery trail shimmered across the waves to the full moon emerging from the sea.

Such beauty overwhelmed him. Tears of thanks streamed down his cheeks, as every cell of his being was drawn to the goddess responsible for this magic, standing, her arms outstretched, on that silver path.

Many saw him swimming out to sea. Some called the coastguard, others the police, but his body was never found.

 

[chrispenycate]

Inquisitive​

"You expect gratitude for destroying my body to save my eternal soul?"

Every sense screamed the purpose of this room. Stink of charring flesh, taste of smoke and blood, sound screams, whimpers and moans, light from brasiers and pain everywhere.

"But no guilt for you and your sadistic torturers working yourselves deeper into damnation - your choice, to pervert freewill, to reject all Christ's teachings. It wasn't predestined.

And I weep for not accepting responsibility."

 

[Betok_Haney]

My Final Gift

I stepped through the threshold of my final gift.

Suddenly, I was holding my love’s hands, saying, “I do.”

I saw my daughter’s first steps and felt her last hug.

I felt my puppy napping on my lap.

I sat with my mother as she told me a story.

I walked with my father, discussing faith.

And then I was back in hospice.

“Thank you,” I said as they led me to my bed.

 

[Elckerlyc]

The Bright Side

“Could’ve been worse,” the First Aid chap said, “That tree could’ve fallen on your head.”
Considering the pain I was in I wished it had.
“You’re lucky,“ the paramedic observed, “Two inches to your left and it would have hurt a lot more.”
Groan.
“It’s quiet today,” the ER nurse smiled brightly, ”The waiting-time is only 2 hours.”
Sob.
“That looks really nasty.” The surly looking surgeon frowned. “But first, anaesthetics!”
“Thank y…”

 

[Ian Fortytwo]

Thank you for nothing.

I would like to thank the person who shot me, or who paid someone to shoot me. I'm out of pocket now, and cannot afford to live, because of my medical expenses. I have never harmed a living thing in my life.
Please can you finish the job properly and then I'll forgive you.

Reply:

What about all those insects you killed while walking.

 

[gracefully.falling]

I hated the three men who guided me through the tundra. They pulled me along on my frozen feet, never stopping.

The first man died trying to gather food. Apparently, a saber-tooth was out doing the same.

The second died slowly, of an illness. I watched as he would trudge on without complaint.

The third died in my arms, looking up at the stars. It wasn’t until I was alone that I was finally grateful.

 

[G.T.]

Acid Rain

His wounds were an agony as he crawled across the bloodied deck. Above, c-beams glittered in the darkness.

The push was a disaster; the Tanhauser Gate was lost, its docking ring again under enemy control.

He gagged on the stink of Insectoid acid as he dragged himself onwards, away from fate.

But fate was coming; the telltale chitin-click on the deck behind.

He felt the stinger penetrate his back; all pain instantly gone.

"Thank g..."

 

[Venusian Broon]

Note for Amy​

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Hi Amy!

Again, thank you SO much for babysitting. Victor and I haven’t been out in years. Our cherub can be a little monster, but he’s really sweet deep down.

If he gets angry, do the things we discussed: chains, flames etc. The loaded shotgun is in the grandfather clock case in the hall if required..

Back at 11,

X

Elizabeth.

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POLICE EVIDENCE CN334542-#21 Description: Note found in palm of severed arm (F)

 

[Luiglin]

Homo sum, fiam deus​

An explosion of silence heralded the arrival. From the void, a roiling mass of tentacles erupted in eager desire.

It would be quick, nothing to the terminal agony he’d suffered these last dark years. Time well spent in seeking unfathomable knowledge and audiences with the damned.

Accepting the horror’s crushing embrace, he sealed the ceremony with a final word of power.

To die and become a God.

With his last breath, he whispered, “Gratias tibi.”

 

[Artoriarius]

The Gold Delivery

The vault doors opened, revealing a dozen crates. The bank president waved at it nervously. “A-All of our French g-gold. T-Take as much as you w-want. B-But—my family—”

The elegantly-dressed woman smiled. “Say ‘Thank you.’”

“T-Thank you! Thank you, m-madam!”

She spoke into her phone: “Time to go, boys. Don’t leave anything!”

Once she was gone, he drove home. When he finally got there, he wept: there was nothing left.

 

[Daysman]

Respite

Sarge said jump, you moved — the HUD App saved my life every day.

Wasn't always a doomsayer...

Like when it had me check out the cellar under a ruined farmhouse and I found a bottle of red.

On impulse, I pulled the cork, sloshed some around my mouth… took me back.

Eventually, Sarge cut in. "Leave it as you found it."

I replaced the cork, sat the bottle down, and headed topside.

Good times.

 

[Provincial]

Family Man

I hate the dark, but it‘s the family business - my father was a necromancer.

He raised me to be the best dark magician going. Sharpened by psychotic magical trials, hardened with vicious physical challenges, he reamed out my hopes and dreams and refocused my entire existence on success.

Then he tried to kill me. Well, a necromancer - what else?

So, thanks Dad. You taught me to be a survivor, and I did.

Loser.

 

[Justin Swanton]

Pariah

Third noncompliance violation. Citizen status revoked.

I could no longer fly, take a train or bus, visit any public building, hold any important position, publish anything, join any media platform. I could earn a little privately, eat simply, walk under the trees, talk to my neighbours, watch the sunset, pray, read, give food to a beggar, play with the dog, see the tulips open in the morning. I could, at long last, live.

Thank God.

 

[juelz4sure]

The Lost Flower

A lone flower dying in the dry cracked earth. A drop of pure water slides down it’s thin stem, it’s pedals brightening, spewing light all around. A small girl smiles, her laughter dissipating beyond the light. The light fading like a forgotten dream, plucking it up and placing it in a cracked mug with fresh soil. It’s pedals stretching out, light flourishing from the flower, as she smiles and dances bathed in the brilliant light.

 

[worldofmutes]

Easy Listening

Although I am a mimetic fop, I also have expressions, some of them even, how you would say, “gregarious.”

I am much obliged for your jokes this evening, and even, how you would say, “tickled pink,” that you happened to be thinking of me.

I did some digging in your amanuensis, forgive me for prying, but how could I resist? I listened to your reflection, to our memories together, and you always listen with me.

 

[Phyrebrat]

The Blur
Three full moons hang over Puget Sound’s relentless chop. On each, one of my mother’s expressions glares down: anger, disappointment, confusion.

Why?

Then I remembered my grief-soaked oath. Acknowledge thy mother’s sacrifices. I’d come to this lighthouse to move on, but I’d forgotten my promise.

Wheresoever you light a candle, there shall I follow.

I lit a taper — in the upstairs window.

Nowadays, just one moon hangs over the Sound wearing a new, beatific expression.

 

[Starbeast]

Put a Little Love in Your Heart and the World Will be a Better Place​

“Who was that at the door, Haggatha?”

“A dragon I saved from villagers decades ago, when he was just a newt. From that day he understood that all humans aren’t bad. So, he vowed never to destroy towns or eat people. He also gave me sacks of gold.”

“Wasn’t that nice of him.”

“See my husband, a little kindness goes a long way.”

“Now we can afford towels before the world ends.”

“Jet packs too.”

 

[M. Robert Gibson]

Kajar and the Ogre

Ever since Duke Kedu's disappearance following his quarrel with the wizard Drawzi, Rego the Ogre had terrorised the town.

The day Kajar visited, the people told of human sacrifices and pleaded for help.

Kajar agreed, and, sword hidden beneath a maiden's cloak, waited on the sacrificial altar.

Rego soon appeared, but was surprised as the 'maiden' thrust a blade into him.

Equally surprised, Kajar watched Rego transform into Kedu. "Drawzi's spell is broken. Thank you."