Micro Monday - October 14, 2024

Stories for Friends - Part 1

This year, I’ve been celebrating spooky season by writing microfiction for some of my friends. Each friend is asked to choose a number from 6-100, as well as a common word to serve as a starting point. A few hours later, that friend receives a horror story based on their choices.

I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of writing for unique, specific word counts. The common formats (6 words, or 50, or 100) can get a little formulaic, but I don’t think I’ve ever sat down to write a 37-word horror story.

Anyway, here are some of the results from last week. Enjoy!

Story #1

The Door in the Ceiling
Prompt: Door (43 words)

She loved the door at first. It made the house unique, eccentric. Sure, dust fell through the keyhole, and the draft from the attic wasn’t ideal.

But the worst part?

The way the doorknob sometimes turned, gently, like something was testing the lock.

Story #2

Speed Kills
Prompt: Car (7 words)

Tony’s convertible hit eighty…

Ninety…

A hitchhiker.

Story #3

Breaking the Curse
Prompt: Pizza (37 words)

The wheat came from an old battlefield, the cheese from sacrificial cows. And the toppings?

Olives. Anchovies. Pineapple. Corn.

Still, this is the only way to break the curse.

Sobbing, you lift the pizza to your mouth.

Story #4

Untitled
Prompt: Cat (6 words)

The sky darkens.

“Woah. Big stretch.”