November 2024 -- 75 Word Writing Challenge -- VICTORY TO NIXIE!

[Azzagorn]

Familiar Ties​

“You understand this is an important decision dear?”

“Yes grandma.” Ophelia says the deep eye roll of a six year old.

Grandma replies with a warm smile. “Once you have chosen there is no turning back. You will care for it, clean up after it, train it.”

On the table sit three creatures, Griffon, Jackrabbit and Hydra.

“Remember dear, a witches familiar is more than just a pet, you are tied for life. Choose wisely”

 

[Starbeast]

Gift From a Galaxy Explorer​

“You saved my life.”

“That tree nearly crushed you. Call me Chris.”

He held a gelatinous blob towards me. “A life for a life.”

“What’s that?”

“A pet. Farewell, Chris.”

“What’s your name?”

“Angel.”

He left in his spacecraft. “Nobody would believe this.”

#

I named the pet, Angel. Over the years that cute little blob became a two meter tall humanoid. Then decades later became my caretaker who looked after me in elderly age.

 

[paranoid marvin]

Beyond Belief

If I were my cat
Even just for one week
I would wander where I wanted
And never get confronted for it

Drink milk from a bowl
And hunt after birds
But when I caught and brought one home
Wonder why they chased me away, away!

I'd escape through my flap
And clear off for days
Leave my owner waiting anxiously
Grateful when I would come home

But I'm just a man...

 

[The Judge]

Murder Most Fowl​

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The police weren’t interested in his aunt’s death. Her neighbours, who’d found her decomposing body on their return from holiday, confirmed it wasn’t the first time she’d fallen on the steep stairs.​

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The death of three of her parrots after so long without food was likewise unremarkable.​

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Only Billy was concerned about finding the fourth, missing, bird.​

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After all, he wouldn’t want the talkative creature to tell the cops who’d pushed her down the staircase.​

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[Bren G]

Coming Home

When the sun had traced by my window, she hadn’t come home. When a group of gloomy, heavily scented people visited, she wasn’t among them. My heart sank deeper in despair. The sun passed innumerable times, when my head, too weak, dipped below the sill. I could wait no longer.

My master’s soothing hand stroked my brow. His voice cried, “Go boy! Find Mama in the Metaverse!”

By the window she was. Waiting for me.

 

[Ursa major]

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Pets Are Not Just for Christmas​

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“I’ll miss them.”​

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“Me too, but we’ve got no choice.”​

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“Why the rush?”​

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“Finding new ones, particularly of the quality we prefer, is getting harder—”​

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“—I know—”​

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“—so if they suddenly become available, we must have everything ready and waiting for them.”​

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“But I’ve become really attached to these ones.”​

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“So I’ve noticed.”​

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“Don’t say it like that!”​

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“How else can I say it? You drink far too much human blood for your own good.”​

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[Ursa major]

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This challenge was closed to new entries just before midnight GMT, but as the software swallowed the poll (a link to which the draft of this post originally contained) I've been trying to find out what it did with it, without success.

A new poll will, I hope, soon be available.

 

[Ursa major]

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The poll is now open at the link below:

POLL -- November 2024 75-Word Challenge -- READ FIRST POST!​

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