Flash Fiction – Page 2 – Tina Stewart Brakebill

the boy next door

November 5, 2025 Tina Stewart Brakebill

Staring out the window, I search for the final line of my verse.

Through the looking glass

Beyond the land of wonder

Alice …?

Alice cries for home? Alice mourns for me?

I need to move away from the glass. I can’t focus. Every sound, any little movement, and I’m sure it’s her. Finally. Home for the holidays. She said she’s not interested, but she’s just confused. I can change her mind. Explain things. Show her my words. Convince her she’s meant to be with me. Mine. Forever.

Then it comes to me. The perfect ending:

Alice dies for love.

(100 words)

PHOTO PROMPT ©Yvette Prior

Esther’s Writing Prompt (GLASS) immediately brought Alice in Wonderland to mind and then the Friday Fictioneers photo skewed Wonderland into an even creepier space.

Writing Prompts

7 November 2025

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

second thoughts

November 1, 2025 Tina Stewart Brakebill

Waiting for my cue, I practice my smile. It feels wrong. Too forced. Too white against the gray pallor of my skin.

I try to shake off my doubts. I am the heir apparent. It is my heritage.

But some nights it’s too much. It’s like a giant squid has me wrapped in its tentacles. It squeezes and squeezes and whispers “birthright” in my ear, but I don’t feel lucky. I feel like it’s trying to drown me.

But it’s too late for second thoughts. The crowd chants my name as I once again claim my birthright.

(97 Words)

Photo by Anthony Obunadike on Pexels.com

Thanks for the inspiration.

Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge – Grey

Weekend Writing Prompt #440 – Heritage

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

YOUR SERVE

October 19, 2025 Tina Stewart Brakebill

YOUR SERVE.

The umpire’s ruling rang in my ears as it triggers an endless overlapping loop in my mind: I am in control, this is why I practice, treasure this moment, unless you blow it, I won’t, you might, I can’t, gratitude, I need to channel gratitude, this is my chance, someday I’ll tell stories about this moment, I’ve got to shoot my shot, I won’t blow it, I will not blow it.

The whistle blows time and I swallow my last chug of Gatorade.

It tastes slightly medicinal or maybe that’s just the bitter edge of my nerves as I step onto the court and take my shot.

Boy oh boy, that serve had some extra spice on it folks, but was it in or out?

YOUR SERVE.

Thanks to FOWC (RANG), Sunday’ Six Sentence Story (SPICE), and the Sunday Whirl (SEE BELOW) for some great words that inspired me to show off my lack of tennis (or pickle ball?) knowledge.

FOWC With Fandango — Rang

Wordle 728

Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt!

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

double dog dare

October 15, 2025 Tina Stewart Brakebill

What’s that splotch on your forehead?

I won. That’s what matters.

You won? What?

Cash money!

NO! How? What did you do?

So Jimmy and me was in the park by the river.

Were.

Were what?

You and Jimmy WERE in the park.

I know. I just said.

Forget it. Go on.

Well… there’s this tree.

Yes?

And it’s got these knobs and a big bendy branch.

And?

Jimmy dared me to climb to the top and shimmy down the bendy part. Bet me ten bucks.

You didn’t.

Did. Head first. WINNER!

Except for your head.

Totally worth it!

(100 words)

The joy of childhood splotches! Thanks for the inspiration to Friday Fictioners’ photo, RDP’s word (SPLOTCH, and Esther’s Weekly Writing Prompt (MONEY). Twas fun!

17 October 2025

RDP Wednesday: SPLOTCH

Writing Prompts

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

probably …

October 2, 2025 Tina Stewart Brakebill

“The opportunity of a lifetime passed before him as he tried to decide between a cone or a cup.” The thought should probably terrify him.

The woman waiting to scoop his mint chocolate chip (or possibly pistachio) ice cream had actually said “it’s not the opportunity of a lifetime. Pick one.”

She had laughed as she said it, but he could feel life passing him by as he dithered, yet again.

If he was keeping score (which he was) this was the 17^th time today he had agonized over an arguably simple decision. Eventually he decided by not deciding. Instead, he walked away empty handed.

He knew why he was spinning in circles: he needed to make what was probably the biggest decision of his life.

As he slid the key into the lock, he made a promise to himself: “I will decide today. Or maybe tomorrow. Tomorrow might be better. But definitely this week. Probably.”

Thanks for the inspiration to Fandango’s word of the day (LOCK) and the Writers Workshop prompts of SCORE and the opening line.

FOWC With Fandango — Lock

This Week’s Writer’s Workshop Prompts: October 2, 2025