Welcome to the inaugural week of our weekly community drabble! This week’s theme was “vigilance.”

Thank you and bravo to everyone who submitted a drabble!

Trip Hazard

by Cathy de Buitleir

A middling department store. Not cheap, not fancy. My idealism: Maybe I’ll find something beautiful in this shop. Reality: Harsh lighting, dull music, lost hope, socks.

Leaving, I spot the entrance mat, its edge curled under itself, a snare for an oblivious foot. Some shoppers see it, but step around it. I hook my foot under the curl, flattening the mat to the floor again with a satisfying slap.

An unexpected voice, warm with gratitude: “Thank you.”

The security guard, in his discreet booth, smiling.

I smile back. I feel useful.

My response: “You’re welcome.”

I leave. I’ll remember this.

When Justice Is Not Blind

by Gideon P. Smith

Jao’s artificial eyes were miraculous. But he wished he could unsee too.

”No witnesses.” Hagar growled. His skin was spotted leopard-like; one tattoo for every fellow inmate slaughtered.

Heart pounding, Jao slept, one artificial eye open.

But Hagar cornered him in the showers, his massive executioner’s hands squeezing Jao’s windpipe. “Those eyes might warn death’s approaching. But they won’t stop it.”

Jao smiled.

“What’s funny?”

Jao’s eyes detected a wall crack expanding. Imminent structural failure. The knowledge that Hagar would be sucked into the vacuum first, made death somehow more acceptable. Even satisfying.

“You’re right. I DO see death coming.”

Three Hours ’til Midnight

by Martin Greening

Jack and Jill crouched behind the recliner fixated on the milk and cookies–their eyes grainy and heavy.

Their mother stifled a yawn. “Time for bed.”

“We’re not tired.”

Their mother shrugged, “Stay up too late and he won’t come,” and shuffled off to bed.

Soon, Jack slumped against the wall and closed his eyes.

Jill punched his shoulder.

“Wake up!”

“Ow.” Jack rubbed his shoulder. “What’d you do that for?”

“Why do you think? Now shut up and keep an eye out.”

They took turns jostling one another awake. Hours and hours passed.

Too many hours. Perhaps mother was right.

Agate Dragons

by Marc A. Criley

The hill rears up and roars. Gravel, rocks, and boulders avalanche amidst billowing clouds of dust.

“Everyone back! Get back!” I shout.

Glittering prismatic wings thrust hundreds of feet into the air, then unfurl like twin rainbows. Mansion-sized eyes open and scan the surrounding hills.

I’m spotted.

The dragon rumbles and looks down upon me. In the clarion voice of the wood thrush I hear, “Your vigilance allows us safe slumber. Our thanks to you all.”

I raise an open palm. “We swear no prospectors or miners shall ever harm you. What would the world be without the agate dragons?”

With Nothing Left to Lose

by Kai Delmas

The alleys swallow the screams of fear. Every night new victims take the wrong turn, they get lost, hurt, or worse. Evil wraps its greedy hands around innocence.

I was innocent once. Ignorant and careless.

It cost me everything.

With nothing left to lose, I did what no sane person would. I became something else, something dangerous.

Now I have eyes and ears everywhere. The dark alleyways are my home and I hear every scream and every step that evil makes. Before it can act, I strike first. With teeth and claws, the many parts of me protect the innocent.

A drabble is a story comprised of exactly 100 words.