Welcome to Week 2 of our weekly community drabble! This week’s theme was “misdirect.”
Thank you and bravo to everyone who submitted a drabble!
The Charity Game
by Gideon P. Smith
“Once more,” she begged.
“You’ve failed twelve times,” Michael replied. “You SURE you want to bet again?”
But he already knew the answer. He could see the desperation in her eyes; the starving child hugging her skirt-hem.
She placed her wedding ring on the table.
He rotated the cups. “Round and round, where it goes, nobody knows.”
She pointed and Michael flipped it revealing the pea.
She gasped. Tears splattered her winnings as she grabbed them.
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“You let her win, why?” Another shark asked after she left.
“People will accept luck, even when they won’t accept charity,” the archangel replied.
Beware the Light
by Danielle Arostegui
There are many ways to reach the Goblin Market. I know but one.
Begin at dusk. Follow the road till it fades to a rutted track between the leaning cypress and wait for the sun to snuff itself on the black water. Fight the urge to flee.
When the bellows of night reptiles reach a crescendo, a light will appear, blue and flickering. Do not follow, no matter how it whirls and beckons. Turn your back and walk until the water swallows your ankles, elbows, mouth. Close your eyes. When you open them again, you will be in the Market.
Final Audition for College Scouts
by Martin Greening
Three seconds left. Down by two to Saint Mary’s. Lamont dribbled from half court, the defender’s eyes locked onto his. He pushed to drive towards the hoop—the defender followed—then Lamont halted. As he jumped his knee popped. Fire streaked up and down his leg. He released the ball and collapsed to the court with a series of thuds—knee, hip, shoulder, head—each accompanied by radiating pain as his body made contact with the hardwood.
Lamont grabbed his knee, feebly attempting to hold it together and quench the flames. Heartbeats pounded his ears—between two beats…a gentle swish followed by the roaring crowd.
Dragon, Demon, Cat
by Kai Delmas
Knights rushed into the dragon’s lair by the dozen with steel in their hands and greed in their hearts. Many perished or returned burned without and scarred within. They brought no gold home and took no brides to their beds.
The most devout and righteous of the princes sought the evil demon that was said to whisper evil in the hearts of weak men. To prove their worth they risked their innocence only to have the demon reveal their true dark natures to the world.
Upon the princess’ lap lay a drowsy cat, purring sweetly, stealing her heart with ease.
A drabble is a story comprised of exactly 100 words.
