Five-Word Fiction, Page 3

still grinning.

   

  Secrets found on his computer.

   

  Meetings always exacerbated his narcolepsy.

   

  Her constant shoplifting was endearing.

   

  The cricket team fell out.

   

  Match fixing? Him? Never. Maybe.

   

  He ran marathons. Knees destroyed.

   

  Ryan collapsed before the line.

   

  Two more miles to go.

   

  ‘Are we there?’

  ‘Shut up!’

   

  ‘Life begins at whatever age.’

   

  ‘Never doubt me.’

  ‘You sure?’

   

  They fell back in love.

   

   

  The rifle feels lighter today.

   

  Don’t jump! The tide’s low.

   

  The craft wasn’t from here.

   

  He can’t explain his life.

   

  Unfortunately, mistakes were being made.

   

  ‘Is this heaven?’

  ‘Sorry, hospital.’

   

  Photographers lauded her bone structure.

   

  ‘Drop the gun.’

  ‘Gun? Lighter!’

   

  ‘What day is it?’

  ‘Today.’

   

  ‘What time is it?’

  ‘Now.’

   

  ‘Knock, knock.’

  ‘Joke?’

  ‘Open up!’

   

  I don’t believe you anymore.

   

  Surprise them with your opinion.

   

  Her voice, her secret weapon.

   

  Salsa dancing was his thing.

   

  He wore that suit often.

   

  One morning Mandy wasn’t there.

   

  A talking frog? Whatever next?

   

  You tie it like this.

   

  ‘Don’t touch – hot.’

  ‘Aargh!’

  ‘Idiot.’

   

  Stay back, I have crabs.

   

  We worship Jim in here.

   

  The magnate grew jaded, withdrawn.

   

  ‘Who’s your daddy?’

  ‘Not you.’

   

  He wasn’t trained to kill.

   

  The diplomat forgot his manners.

   

  One law in this kitchen.

   

  ‘Where did you go?’

  ‘Nowhere.’

   

  ‘Who gave you that?’

  ‘You.’

   

  Folk singers were drawn there.

   

  The cat waited. Patient. Deadly.

   

  The hamster got no respect.

   

  We’re here to ruin you.

   

  Here be dragons and penguins.

   

  His career never really started.

   

  Be kind to your mother.

   

  Energy drinks kept him alive.

   

  Emperors bow before my cat.

   

  Liked her for her mind. 

   

  Raul had hoped for more.

   

  Sis prayed for her family.

   

  The management meeting was exhilarating.

   

  Wires protruded from his head.

   

  Look at you up there.

   

  Broken bones can’t stop her.

   

  Will they play my song?

   

  Nothing makes sense in there.

   

  They called time on love.

   

  Balloons were scrambled, war imminent.

   

  Teddy had a violent streak.

   

  Their crowd believed in solitude.

   

  Shirt filthy, but shoes sparkling.

   

  His stories always end suddenly.

   

  Children playing in empty streets.

   

  Cars fly by dangerously close.

   

  She vomited. It was Vivaldi.

   

  Her car was called Dancer.

   

  Blood seeped through her shirt.

   

  He prayed under his breath.

   

  The Big Bang changed nothing.

   

  The Ant Wars are coming.

   

  A cough gave him away.

   

  I love you more now.

   

  And another thing: why him?

   

  Nobody ever listens to me.

   

  She destroyed everything she touched.

   

  Vivienne met Steph for brunch.

   

  The princess was trapped inside.

   

  Ice was pumped through him.

   

  Fireworks still made Carlo jumpy.

   

  The dance happened in silence.

   

  Here’s your ring, you bastard.

   

  I can’t stop laughing sadly.

   

  ‘Smile.’

  ‘No.’

  ‘One photo?’

  ‘No!’

   

  She brushed past him yesterday.

   

  You are never not welcome.

   

  Music made her skin tingle.

   

  His fame was a burden.

   

  Poverty set the family free.

   

  Marooned on an island together.

   

  Flying low. Too low. Missile.

   

  Thrash is a precious metal.

   

  ‘Tidy your room.’

  ‘Make me!’

   

  ‘You’re fired.’

  ‘For stealing paperclips?’

   

  Killing ants? Against my beliefs.

   

  Intruder alert! Quadrant Twelve. Humans.

   

  She didn’t trust his trousers.

   

  He rode the elephant home.

   

  No crying at my funeral.

   

  The vampire choked and died.

   

  Collecting tears in a bottle.

   

  Nightmare dictionary beside her bed.

   

  Hennaed hands close to mine.

   

  Fill pool with chemicals. Relax.

   

  ‘What are you wearing?’

  ‘Tartan.’

   

  Tried. Failed. Tried again. Failed.

   

  Running uphill is almost pleasurable.

   

  A dagger under her pillow.

   

  Her adolescence lasted until retirement.

   

  A pilot’s licence is essential.

   

  Me Igor. How are you?

   

  Someone screamed in my street.

   

  Green creature in the bin.

   

  Codename: Black Widow. Mission: Hugs.

   

  That was all he had.

   

  Money was a hand
some stranger.

   

  Her recipe called for human.

   

  Backed into a corner. Screamed.

   

  His superpower? Washing the dishes.

   

  Don’t sing about singing. Boring.

   

  The workshop went swimmingly badly.

   

  ‘I am immortal.’

  ‘Immoral?’

  ‘Whatever.’

   

  Stella lost too much. Irreversible.

   

  We should meet more infrequently.

   

  Like a vortex, that stare. 

   

  You bath with a toaster?

   

  ‘Pull my finger.’ – Uncle Kev

   

  His wrestling name was Clive.

   

  Kelly was invisible until midnight.

   

  The Leader needed a cult.

   

  Sports achievement makes them introspective.

   

  The piglet was adorable. Yum.

   

  The conference was in Borneo.

   

  We two together we are.

   

  Saturday caught him by surprise. 

   

  Broken-legged, the horse finished.

   

  He was shy. She wasn't.

   

  "What's your favourite colour?"

  "Rainbow."

   

  His conceited smile betrayed him.

   

  Today it will rain forever.

   

  Alone, she removes the decorations.

   

  The surgeon’s hands were shaking.

   

  "What's your name?"

  "What's yours?" 

   

  Monday. Tuesday. Wednesday. Thursday. Monday. 

   

  She tries to forget him.

   

  There was nothing to him.

   

  Sharks bash against my boat.

   

  Come in, Alpha Tango Foxtrot.

   

  They misunderstood beans on toast.

   

  We are at an end.

   

   

  All stories by AK Dawson.

  www.akdawson.co.uk