~ Just a Moment ~
A collection of flash fiction to celebrate the first anniversary of Great Flash Fiction on 29th March 2015
Stories by Maryann Holloway, Christine Brand, Becky Spence, Candida Spillard, Karen Storey & Namitha Varma
Copyright 2015 original authors as credited
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~ Contents ~
Introduction
Alphabet Stories
A Stranger at the River
Treasure Hunt
Micro Fiction
Rainy Day and Coffee
Learner
The Soldiers of the Future
The Heirloom
The Hunt to Read a Newspaper
Flash Fiction
Ending Life
~ Introduction ~
Christine Brand, Surrey, United Kingdom
It's been quite amazing to see the number of followers growing over the last year; and also, to see familiar names still with us.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported Great Flash Fiction: we couldn't last without you.
Thank you!
All the events from the past year are on our website, the stories from our Great Sunday Tournaments with CoWrite, and also a selection of Great Flashes: flash fiction submitted by our fans.
Looking forward, there will be prompts for National Flash Fiction Day, and we're already thinking about next year's anniversary!
While Great Flash Fiction has a greater following on Twitter, we do have a Facebook page and, of course, the website, so if you haven't had a look why not pop over after you've finished reading this ebook.
https://cb1980.wix.com/greatflashfiction
~ Alphabet Stories ~
A Stranger at the River
Maryann Holloway, New Jersey, USA
Along the banks of the river, a small boy passed the morning skipping stones across the moving surface. Bobby spent most days doing the same in the summer. Canada goose flocked nearby and he stopped to watch. During his stay with his Grandparents last summer, he'd eaten goose for dinner so he was curious. Eventually the flock flew away and Bobby began investigating other wonders near the river. Frogs were abundant, so he picked up the biggest one he'd ever seen. Giving that the frog was large and slimy; he wasn't able to hold it very long. Heather grew in the fields all around so to Bobby it looked like miles of the purple flowers swaying in the gentle breeze.
"I don't like frogs."
Jumping back from the water's edge because hearing someone speak startled him, Bobby turned to see a young woman he'd never seen before.
"Kids are not supposed to talk to strangers."
"Lucinda's my name so now I'm not a stranger."
"My grandma wants me back for lunch so I'm going now," said Bobby as he raced through the fields of heather.
"Nice to have met you," called Lucinda.
On his way up to the house, Bobby looked back but the lady was gone. Perhaps she lived nearby and went home for lunch too. Quickly Bobby wiped his feet and went into the kitchen and washed his hands. Rising from his easy chair, Grandpa came into the kitchen using his cane.
"Sit at the table you two and I'll have your lunch in a jiffy," said Grandma.
"Tell me about your morning at the river Bobby?" asked Grandpa.
"Usually I explore more but today a lady came to the river."
"Very interesting Bobby and who was she?"
"Well I'm not supposed to speak to strangers but she told me her name was Lucinda."
Xenophobia was not the reason for the strange look that passed between Grandma and Grandpa. Yearly the lady makes an appearance but explaining Lucinda to a child was going to be difficult. Zoning in on the problem at hand, Grandma changed the subject, as she was not ready to tell her grandson that the stranger at the river was a ghost.
Treasure Hunt
Christine Brand, Surrey, United Kingdom
"Unless you have a better idea, I think we should run."
Victoria opened her mouth to speak but Nicola interrupted.
"We've got to move now!"
"X marks the spot, and the X is here," Victoria said pointing at the floor.
"You can't be serious, how can we lift that rock!?"
"Zebedee will be able to when he gets here, we need to try."
"Anyway," Nicola whispered, pulling on Victoria's arm, "they're getting closer."
"But they're not here yet!"
"Come on," Nicola tried to pull Victoria along the passageway.
"Don't pull me," she hissed, stepping back to the rock.
"Everyone knows the treasure is only a legend."
"For crying out loud, we've come this far, we can't give up!"
"Giving up is the only option right now."
"How can you say that?"
"I can say that because it's true."
"Just help me try, please," Victoria called out, placing her hands on the rock.
"Keep quiet!"
"Let's just have one try Nicola, please!"
"Move over then."
Nicola grasped the side of the rock.
"One, two three… lift."
Pieces of the rock crumbled as the girls managed to lift the rock.
"Quiet," Nicola hissed, "I can hear them!"
"Really, it's empty!?"
"Someone must have got here first."
The End…
Just a Moment Page 1
