Tragedy – Stories by Shawn

The Third Tarp

Harold’s eyes jab at the tarps again like a tongue probing a missing tooth. He sighs in disgust at all of it. Two missing teeth. Two. The first two, now two more. It’s the heat that bothers him the most today. After the power went out for the third and final time, that was the… Continue reading The Third Tarp

Ezekiel’s Tea

My morning routine is to double-check all the equipment. The lantern is rotating, shooting its penetrating light through the morning fog. Most of my work takes place at night, but on overcast days, I like to be extra diligent. I stoop and exit through the tiny door and walk the balcony around, checking for breakages… Continue reading Ezekiel’s Tea

Slapped

The first time your dad slaps you in public (and hard enough that you fall to the ground), you stand up fast because you know that is what he wants. Your face burns hot with shame. You glance around to see who saw. You’re not ashamed because your father slapped you—in those times, and especially… Continue reading Slapped

Louisa’s Story

I was worried about Stuart. Everyone says twins are supposed to be alike, but we were fraternal twins; while we were alike in many ways, we were also different. Stuart had been the sensitive one. I was worried about him. When I walked through the door, I had hoped to find Misses Clendenin talking to… Continue reading Louisa’s Story

Classroom

“I tell you, it’s today.” “You say that every day, Stuart,” Julia says. He does think a lot of days are the anniversary; maybe he feels guilty about Louisa. She was his twin. Perhaps he wishes he had gone with her. I study the light in the room. Stuart might be right. The room grows… Continue reading Classroom

Petey

He dreamt about the last time he drove a car. It was such a silly little bump-splat sound the car made. To Stewart, it had felt like fate tweaking his nose and saying a meaningless “Boop, got your nose!!” At the stoplight, the woman checked both mirrors and then regarded the man sitting in the… Continue reading Petey

Liza Saves a Bunny

June 2022 Flash Challenge, Day 27 The sad thing was, it was not her rabbit. The tragedy might have been much worse if LeRoy had not been there. The young boy became a hero when he chucked his oversized history book at the shooter’s head. LeRoy was a hero, and the town was abuzz with… Continue reading Liza Saves a Bunny

Brian Finds a Journal

30-Day Flash Challenge, Day 24 June 1, 2021 It was a Tuesday, and I was running late. The subway broke, so it wasn’t really my fault, except that it was, and it had happened before. My manager and I agreed (more she than I) that I would allow for such happenings by showing… Continue reading Brian Finds a Journal

Gerald

30-Day Flash Challenge, Day 16 Dazed, Gerald exits his cabin by breaking the window in the loft then dropping into the snow. “It must have been Maude’s table that saved me, ugly battleship thing. Oh, and the table is no beauty either,” he cackles to himself. Maude was Gerald’s ex-mother-in-law. The table was… Continue reading Gerald

Elsie

30-Day Flash Challenge, Day 9 My head is pounding like a drum. I come to and wish to go away in the same breath. Where was I? Sleeping apparently, duh. But the bigger question is ‘where am I?’ I have yet to open my eyes, yet I feel something is off with this… Continue reading Elsie

The White Elephant

Flash Fiction Challenge 100 – Day 40 “So how about a cup of tea?” the man says. “I think I’d prefer a beer!” she says. The man looks surprised. – “Yes! Let’s get a beer! It’s so hot out today; a beer will taste great.” “Mmm,” she says. He drives to their favorite place, The… Continue reading The White Elephant