Tag: Friday Fictioners

Flash Fiction, History, tutto e niente

Harpers Ferry: Destiny Calls

Tina Stewart Brakebill

Daddy used to make me listen to the speech. I’d pretend to be bored but I always got goosebumps when he’d exclaim “to mingle my blood further with the blood of my children, and with the blood of millions in this slave country.”

It reminded me I’m not just any Brown. His blood runs in me too.

Daddy always told me: “You’ve got a destiny.”

Daddy also used to say he heard the cries of the dead in the whistle. I never believed him. But I swear as his ashes caught in the breeze, I heard them. Crying. Destiny calling.

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Harpers Ferry Photo is the property of Dawn M. Miller. Provided courtesy of Rochelle at Friday Fictioners.

I love to be able to mix two of my favorite things: history and a bit of flash fiction (100 words exactly). So special thanks Rochelle and Dawn!

Flash Fiction, History, tutto e niente

The Final Scavenger Hunt

Tina Stewart Brakebill

This was it. The trail ended here. Back at grand-dad’s old place. Not sure how he managed it from his sick-bed but it was just like him. A final hunt. Pit us against each other. Bastard. He’s probably watching. From hell. Laughing.

Enough with the reminiscing. I needed to find that key. What was that last clue?

I won’t be foiled again. Mighty he may be but today the laughs on me.

I tried to calmly scan the basement. Foiled? Aluminum, maybe. No.

Then it hit me. A rare happy memory. Oil Can Harry!

“Coises!” I’m gonna be rich.

abundance bank banking banknotes

This fun flash fiction (100 words exactly) was inspired by the PHOTO PROMPT © Nick Allen provided by Rochelle’s Friday Fictioners.

With a little extra boost from FOWC (trail)

And a special assist from Mighty Mouse’s chief bad guy Oil Can Harry.

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Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

Their Home

Tina Stewart Brakebill

She sat at the edge of the stream and stared at the house. Their home.

The tumbling water reminded her of a song. She could hear the melody in her head. But the words just wouldn’t come. It’s not fair. Songs are not her department. TV shows and historical facts. But not songs. That’s his lane.

He’s supposed to be here. He would know.

But he’s no longer here. Or there. In that house that was their home.

For just a moment she was overwhelmed by anger. Then frustration. But that stupid song would have to wait.

It was time.

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Photo Credit to Brian Brakebill (who thankfully is still very much with me and continues to inspire me with his photos) 

Inspired by and written for Friday Fictioners and the PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson with some further inspiration from Reena’s Exploration Challenge (home) and Fandango’s FOWC (melody) and Your Daily Word Prompt (overwhelm)

Haiku & Other Poetry, Random Rants, tutto e niente

harvest

Tina Stewart Brakebill

commemoration?

or hidden treasure buried?

the harvest lays bare

fullsizeoutput_54cThis week’s Friday Fictioners photo prompt (courtesy of Rochelle Wisoff) brought to mind all sorts of dark thoughts, which made me wonder–why are my thoughts so darn dark? It doesn’t have to be a murdered girl’s gravesite. It could something completely innocent. Even something fun! So after battling with my inner demons, this haiku emerged. It’s not exactly following the rules, so if you need to dump it I understand Rochelle!

And thanks to  Scotts Daily Prompt (harvest) It fit my mood perfectly.

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

The Year I Was Five

Tina Stewart Brakebill

The year I was five my grandfather left the house every day before dawn. My mom would pack his green cooler with food. He’d put on his boots, grab his yellow bag of tools, and then head out the door with his guide dog Bud and a cheery “Going to guard the castle.”

Every day I’d beg to come along. And every day he’d tell me “maybe when you’re older.”

Then one day, Bud came home but my grandfather didn’t. So I followed Bud back to the castle.

It was just as I always imagined. Except for the flashing lights.

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COVER PHOTO PROMPT © J.S. Brand

And thanks to Friday Fictioners

and to Sammi Scribbles (Castle in exactly 100 words) and FOWC (Guide)

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