November 4, 2021
hughjodonnell
Everyday Drabbles, Free Fiction
Drabble, Everyday Drabbles, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Free Fiction
The goddess of music sat on her throne and listened. To an uninformed observer, she might have seemed a prisoner, lashed to her chair with pegs and strings of all different materials and thicknesses. But nothing could be farther from the truth.
Each string led to the heart of a bard wandering the wider world, spreading her songs, and bringing her power.
She listened as each one reverberated in a different frequency, the whole array perfectly tuned and harmonious.
The goddess did not need to travel. Her mortal servants made music, but she was music. And they were her instruments.
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November 3, 2021
hughjodonnell
Everyday Drabbles, Free Fiction
Drabble, Everyday Drabbles, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Free Fiction, Sci-Fi
From a distance, the stranger watched them excavate a temple.
Slaves brushed away dirt from the pointed tips of metal towers under their masters’ watchful eyes. The warlord would allow nothing to damage his prize.
Legend said that the Sky People created the temples in the ancient past, and tales of unstoppable armies and magical weapons set wheels spinning in every despot’s mind.
So far, they were children playing with forces they didn’t understand. Some temples had exploded. Others did nothing at all, their magic long spent.
That night he snuck into camp and disabled the half-buried rocket beyond repair.
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November 2, 2021
hughjodonnell
Everyday Drabbles, Free Fiction
Drabble, Everyday Drabbles, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Free Fiction
The Border Watch spotted the Flying Castle approaching the valley at dawn and quickly spread the word for people to stay in their homes.
Naturally, the village green was crowded by the time it passed overhead, crumbling towers blotting out the sun. A few adventurous apprentices tried to climb aboard, but it hovered out of reach.
Although rumors and stories abounded, nobody in the valley knew where the castle came from, how it worked, or what caused it to fall into ruin.
The town watched it pass overhead and out of sight, ruins drifting by unknown means to no destination.
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November 1, 2021
hughjodonnell
Everyday Drabbles, Free Fiction
Drabble, Everyday Drabbles, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Free Fiction, Horror
He returned victorious from his rounds with the moon still high in the sky.
He’d spread holiday cheer the world over. And if his cheeks felt a little too warm and he was weary to the bone, that was just proof of a good night’s work. As he touched down in his domain, he couldn’t help but smile as he looked down at a field of smiling faces.
He reminded himself that this was their success too. They had all worked hard all year to spread terror and darkness.
The pumpkin king howled to the moon. Another Halloween was finished.
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October 31, 2021
hughjodonnell
Everyday Drabbles, Free Fiction
#CreativeFest, #October, Drabble, Everyday Drabbles, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Free Fiction
He slammed the Porsche’s brakes when he saw the animals standing in the road. A tall, robed figure stood in the center of the half-dozen creatures, unbothered by nearly being run over.
Who the hell keeps goats around here? The driver thought, irritated by the delay. He was already late.
He leaned on the horn, spooking the animals and getting the figure’s attention. They turned and regarded him with glowing red eyes. As one, so did their herd. A creeping, nameless horror spread over him and…
When the abandoned car was found the shepherd and his seven goats were gone.
Today’s prompt was taken from October #CreativeFest, a month-long challenge. Please share, comment, and try it out yourself!
October 27, 2021
hughjodonnell
Everyday Drabbles, Free Fiction
Drabble, Everyday Drabbles, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Free Fiction
He stood staring at the wall of masks. Rows of empty-eyed faces looked back at him, mirroring his uncertainty.
“Can I help you?” A voice behind him asked. He nearly jumped in surprise. He turned to find a tall, thin woman whose name tag read ‘Cassandra.’
“I’m looking for the perfect mask, but these are all, I don’t know.”
“Come with me,” she said.
He followed her hesitantly into the back of the temporary Halloween store. As the door closed behind him, she slipped off her mask.
The other shoppers thought his screams were just a part of the soundtrack.
Today’s prompt was taken from October #CreativeFest, a month-long challenge. Please share, comment, and try it out yourself!
October 24, 2021
hughjodonnell
Everyday Drabbles, Free Fiction
Drabble, Everyday Drabbles, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Free Fiction
He constructs silhouettes for the wealthy and powerful. They visit his shop in their finery, and he draws their outlines, filling in the center with a solid color.
He does bust portraits for the commons, too. His skill is not out of anyone’s reach. Of course, those portraits lack the embellishments and fine materials his upper-class patrons demand.
At night, he dreams of a faceless mob. Their features are obscured in unbroken black and ivory. He knows they’re searching for him and that they’re hungry.
Every morning, he wakes and opens his studio, ready to bring his dreams to life.
Today’s prompt was taken from October #CreativeFest, a month-long challenge. Please share, comment, and try it out yourself!
October 23, 2021
hughjodonnell
Everyday Drabbles, Free Fiction
Drabble, Everyday Drabbles, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Free Fiction, October Creativefest
“Everything can be broken down into two modes. On or off, one or zero.” He said, holding the bowl just out of reach.
“Trick or treat is also a binary state. Let’s say that you may get a treat at every stop or get tricked. We can use that data to…”
“For pity’s sake Joe, just give them the candy and let them move on!” A voice called from inside the house. He sighed and dropped something into each bag. The kids debated skipping the computer science professor’s house next year, even if they did give out full-sized candy bars.
Today’s prompt was taken from October #CreativeFest, a month-long challenge. Please share, comment, and try it out yourself!
October 21, 2021
hughjodonnell
Everyday Drabbles, Free Fiction
Drabble, Everyday Drabbles, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Free Fiction
I found the instrument in a forgotten corner of my grandparents’ attic. It had to be an antique, with delicate silk hoses and brass buttons set in dark oak. It looked like a cross between an accordion and an octopus.
Once I figured out which end was the mouthpiece, I tried a few notes. The instrument’s tone was otherworldly. It was spooky but a little sweet. I lost track of time playing it.
I looked up to see my grandfather standing at the attic stairs, an unreadable expression on his face.
That was odd because he’d died five years ago.
Today’s prompt was taken from October #CreativeFest, a month-long challenge. Please share, comment, and try it out yourself!
October 19, 2021
hughjodonnell
Everyday Drabbles, Free Fiction
Drabble, Everyday Drabbles, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Free Fiction
Once a year, the abandoned town comes to life again.
On Main Street, the boarded-up shops blaze with light. Their windows fill with marvelous displays of fantastical goods.
The houses on the hill all suck in their sagging porches and flex their rotting siding. The pavements and sidewalks smooth themselves as best they can, hiding the worst cracks and potholes.
Some people believe that anything loved for long enough gains a soul, but the town did not know itself until it was alone.
For one night under the autumn moon, the town remembers habitation. But the streets are still empty.
Thanks for reading! You can support me and find links to all my other work via my Linktree!
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Hugh J. O'Donnell 