There are many ways to spend time on social media, and I’m afraid I’ve become a bit addicted to them! I’m trying, however, to at least limit myself to being creative when I’m social media, especially Twitter. So instead of just mindless skimming, I’ve been writing very short stories. These are found on a couple of hashtags: #vss, #vss365, #satsplat, and a couple of others. I’ve been very happy with how some of these tiny stories turned out, and I think overall writing them has been a great writing exercise. Here are seven I’ve written recently!
1. I knew I was in trouble when I saw the broken vase.
"I'm sorry, mama, please don't be angry!"
She looks right through me, shoulders slumped and eyes glazed. She glances at the broken glass on the floor and shuffles back upstairs. I clean up the mess in silence.
2. She pressed a trembling palm to the scanner, hoping the extensive modification she'd endured would be enough to get her passed the security.
"Verified," chirped a robotic voice. The door slid open. The room had three terminals and shelves of samples.
3. Her heart ached as though it had been wrapped in thorns.
"I made it just for you," she said, clutching the soft cotton to her chest. She'd stitched her granddaughter's name in the center.
"It's stupid. I told you I wanted a new phone."
"I'm sorry."
4. When I bought the robe, it was thick and lush, softness you could bury your hands in and wrap around you when you needed comfort. Now it sagged around her shoulders, grey and faded, plush worn away. "What day is it?" she asks. "Who are you?"
5. "Who is it? Who could have known the invasion plans?"
"Their profile identifies them as s human claiming to have psychic powers."
"Nonsense. It must be a pseudonym. The humans we've tested have shown no psychic or clairvoyant resonances. We must have a traitor."
6. There. Aren't you so pretty? Mr. Levine is going to love you! Just be nice and sweet, and he'll make our career. Your career, I mean. And remember to smile!
7. She peered into the microscope. The synthetic molecules seemed to destroy the virus, but they also surrounded the host cell's DNA. Would the treatment inhibit cell function and kill the patients she wanted to save? Did she has time to find out?