Posts tagged very short story

in 1000 Stories

bad chimp – 40/1000

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When the chimp attacked I left my body. I wasn’t there when he pounded at my face with his fists, when he jumped up and down on my stomach and groin, crushing me.

I barely remember being taken away with lights flashing, sirens blaring, but I remember waking up in agony, feeling like someone had ripped my body apart and sloppily put it back together.

“I’m sorry, the injuries to your face were too severe, we couldn’t save it,” the doctor said.

I know I’m a monster, but I’m trying to approach life with grace, while wearing someone else’s face.… Read the rest

in 1000 Stories

the wife – 39/1000

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“It’s never going to work,” I say, her upturned palm in my hand. “No matter how much he loves you, even if he marries you, he’s always going to love her more.”

“Then why is he doing this to me?”

“Because he thinks he won’t find better or ever be happy again. This is his best worst option.”

She cries, and the psychic shifts.

“Just leave him. He doesn’t really want to be with you, and deep down you know it.”

The other woman thanks me, sobbing, and runs out.

I step over the psychic I knocked out, leaving smiling.… Read the rest

in 1000 Stories

you’re a beautiful island – 38/1000

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They say that I’m beautiful but I will never believe them.

My blond hair is too soft and shiny, my pale white skin so unblemished.

I’m petite, a size double zero, and I can do my makeup better than the stylists doing the Met Gala’s red carpet looks.

I move like water through any room and part it like the Red Sea, no one can touch me.

I’m flawless; I know this.

But no one will come near me, or look in my dagger eyes, or raise their voice to speak to me.

I am just a cold, lonely island.… Read the rest

in 1000 Stories

the mystical library – 37/1000

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We walk up the old wood path that is obscured by mist, which makes everything colored in a haze of green reflected from the lush trees.

“We should turn back,” Micah said.

“No, we’re too close, it’s right here.”

And it was. They’d reached the tree they searched for, and knocked three times on its bark.

A hidden door swung in and bright light emanated from within. Cheney proceeded directly inside while Micah tried and failed to stop her.

He was glad he did.

They’d found the ancient, secret library of the mystics, and now everything in it was theirs.… Read the rest

in 1000 Stories

EMDR – 36/1000

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In therapy, we are EMDRing our way toward feeling like enough.

I show up, I trace the green dot back and forth with my eyes while I think of the worst memory of my entire life and cry about it.

And then we do it again. And again. And again.

The same place, the same words spoken, the same gold couch, the same familiar face becoming a stranger in seconds.

It’s like physical therapy for your brain: sometimes it has to hurt a little more before it starts feeling better.

Though I miss him, reminiscing can be sweet yet sickening.… Read the rest

in 1000 Stories

haunted house – 35/1000

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We stood in the street looking at the house for what felt like hours.

It got so late in the afternoon, I didn’t think we were going to make it inside before dark, and we had to be home before dark.

It would be fine; we wouldn’t have time to go inside.

But I was wrong, of course, and my friends got me to follow them through that open door that was hanging on one rusty hinge.

We never thought it could slam behind us.

We never could have imagined what would be on the other side of that door.… Read the rest

in 1000 Stories

how – 32/1000

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I remember the days when the rain would fall and we would dance on the sidewalks all the way home.

The ground glittered like diamonds under our feet and made us feel like royalty even when we pushed the revolving door into the dump of the hotel.

We’d stagger up stairs because the elevator has been broken for years and then collapse onto empty, itchy duvet covers.

How gross, how ridiculous, how sure I am those were the best days of my life, and none better will ever come.

How often I close my eyes and come back to you.… Read the rest

in 1000 Stories

not going to Oz – 31/1000

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She went up like Dorothy would have, had she not gone to Oz.

Up up up into the sky, into the place where angels live in the clouds, that’s what Dad taught her, that the people we love will always be there watching over us.

Well, who was watching over her when she rose up only to come crashing back to the earth and be buried under a pile of awful?

She didn’t see anyone in the clouds, and she didn’t think anyone was watching over anyone.

It felt empty up there, like the inside of her heart always did.… Read the rest