Short Story and Flash Fiction Writer
A roundup of the miniature stories I wrote on Twitter and Instagram this week.
“So we only have one #vacant room left, and it has a few… quirks. Don’t remove the plastic sheets on the bed, don’t turn on the lamp in the corner, DO NOT make eye contact with the thing in the bath…”
“What thing?”
The receptionist smiles. “And don’t ask questions.” #vss365— Ellie Scott (@itsemscott) April 6, 2019
The toilet stall read “Vacant” and yet the damn thing wouldn’t open. She hammered on the door desperately, wincing as her full bladder threatened to revolt if it wasn’t relieved soon.
“Anyone in there?” she called.
No reply. Continue reading “Don’t Trust the Toilets | Microfiction”
The mug sits unwashed on the kitchen table, a layer of white fuzz growing on the surface of the dregs of tea inside it. A smudge of lipstick is on the rim, and there’s a fingerprint made in chocolate on the handle.
The rest of the kitchen is pristine. Every single other mug, cup, glass, plate and bowl is dutifully washed, dried and put away immediately after use. But the mouldy mug remains on the table, as it has for three weeks now.
The pentagram was laid out on the floor, the candles were lit, and the sacrificial frog was ribbiting his last in his cage.
All that was left to do was sing.
She took a deep breath and began to croon, eyes closed in concentration.
The devil appeared in a cloud of red smoke. Continue reading “Singing for Satan | Microfiction”
“Nice pair,” said the checkout boy.
The customer gasped. “How dare you? That’s completely inappropriate. I came here to shop; I don’t expect to be drooled over by an employee who is at least half my age. Disgusting. I want to speak to your manager immediately. What a rude young man.”
The checkout boy pointed to the produce in her basket. “I meant your fruit. The pear? Looks good. They’ve just come into season, right?”
The horses neigh and whinny furiously, wielding their betting slips between their teeth as they stare at the television screen.
“Go on, you can do it!”
“That’s it, you beauty! Faster. Go faster!”
“Kick. Kick, dammit. Buck like your life depends on it!” Continue reading “When the Shoe is on the Other Hoof | Microfiction”
It was with sheer desperation that Ally called the Life Coach.
“I can’t make friends,” she blurted down the phone as soon as her call was answered.
“You can’t make friends?”
“No matter how hard I try, no matter how many times I strike up conversation, no matter how kind or funny or interesting I try to be, I simply can’t make friends. People can’t get away from me quick enough.”
“Go.”
“I’m going.”
“Right now.”
“I said I’m going!”
She scowls. “Go faster.”
“Why should I?”
“Because I told you, you arsehole. Get away with you!” Continue reading “Get Out | Microfiction”
On New Year’s Day I decided to take the whole day out for a good, long read, and I gobbled up Zems’ debut poetry collection and debut short story collection in one sitting, so here we are with a double bill on the book review front. Continue reading “Waxing Lyrical & Tales in Teacups by Vivian Zems | Book Reviews”
“Wait, wait, wait. There’s something wrong with this parachute.”
“Really? But I checked it myself.”
“Really. Look. Someone’s tampered with it.”
“Well, shit.”
“Fuck! Good thing I noticed now. But this is serious. Who would do this? Do you think someone has it in for him? Trying to kill him off?” Continue reading “Oh, Chute | Microfiction”
