Flash and Short Fiction Samples
Flash or short fiction can be fun to write. Here are a few stories I've done. Some were published in FLASHSHOTS, now published via Facebook. See G.W. Thomas.org for info.
All stories © Christine Verstraete - cannot be reprinted or reused w/o permission.
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"Zombie" Humor
Lazy wife's fault I'm fighting off a mob to get that video game Johnny wanted.
I punch one guy, shake off another biting at me. Crazy shoppers.
Clutching my prize, I shuffle home, wondering what she'll nag about now.
Her screams drown out my last intelligible words, "Honey, I'm home."
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SECRETS
I always get yelled at.
Petey, what did you do?
Petey, did you take it?
Petey, where did it go?
I usually get the blame, but that’s okay.
I always help them find what they lose, even if they think I took it.
Like at auntie’s house. They were looking for a painting, a tiny one.
I didn’t steal it. Honest. But I know who did.
How?
Easy. I smelled it.
Secrets have a certain scent, you know.
Why are you stepping back?
Wait. Don’t go…
I’m a good dog.
I am.
I wasn’t going to tell anyone.
Promise.
© 2008 Christine Verstraete ( ISSUE 1987 Flashshot, 1/25/08)
Mischievous Dachshund Petey helps sniff out the crime in my kid's mystery,
Searching For A Starry Night, A Miniature Art Mystery.
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DINNER TIME
By C. A. Verstraete
"Aww, do I have to?"
"Yes, you need your protein. Herb, tell her."
"Sweetie, don't you want to be big and strong?"
"Yeah, but it's yucky."
"You'll grow to love it."
"I can't. It's ugly. I hate the color."
"Honey, eat or no fair tomorrow. I mean it."
"Mom-m-m."
"No. You'll sit there until you finish everything on that plate!"
Deidre the dragon poked at the small human in front of her. He squealed. She laughed and poked him again. Her mother glared.
Deidre sighed and blasted the human with a fiery breath. Hmm, it didn't taste so bad barbecued.
© C. A. Verstraete (ISSUE 1505, Flashshot, 1/8/07)
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FOR MAMAN
By C. A. Verstraete
Basil heard the names they called him. Idiot. Dummy.
He tried to be a good boy helping his Maman at the farm. Maman's boy, the other boys yelled. What was wrong with that, he wondered?
Finally, the meanest boy caught him at the stream drawing water.
Show you what it means to be an apron hugger, the bully taunted.
At the first punch, something in Basil snapped. A new rage filled him. He fought back.
He strolled home, the bucket containing the boy's heart at his side, a gift for his Maman.
He couldn't wait to see her reaction.
© C. A. Verstraete ( ISSUE 1479, Flashshot, 1/13/06)
All stories © Christine Verstraete - cannot be reprinted or reused w/o permission.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Zombie" Humor
Lazy wife's fault I'm fighting off a mob to get that video game Johnny wanted.
I punch one guy, shake off another biting at me. Crazy shoppers.
Clutching my prize, I shuffle home, wondering what she'll nag about now.
Her screams drown out my last intelligible words, "Honey, I'm home."
---------------------------------------------
SECRETS
I always get yelled at.
Petey, what did you do?
Petey, did you take it?
Petey, where did it go?
I usually get the blame, but that’s okay.
I always help them find what they lose, even if they think I took it.
Like at auntie’s house. They were looking for a painting, a tiny one.
I didn’t steal it. Honest. But I know who did.
How?
Easy. I smelled it.
Secrets have a certain scent, you know.
Why are you stepping back?
Wait. Don’t go…
I’m a good dog.
I am.
I wasn’t going to tell anyone.
Promise.
© 2008 Christine Verstraete ( ISSUE 1987 Flashshot, 1/25/08)
Mischievous Dachshund Petey helps sniff out the crime in my kid's mystery,
Searching For A Starry Night, A Miniature Art Mystery.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DINNER TIME
By C. A. Verstraete
"Aww, do I have to?"
"Yes, you need your protein. Herb, tell her."
"Sweetie, don't you want to be big and strong?"
"Yeah, but it's yucky."
"You'll grow to love it."
"I can't. It's ugly. I hate the color."
"Honey, eat or no fair tomorrow. I mean it."
"Mom-m-m."
"No. You'll sit there until you finish everything on that plate!"
Deidre the dragon poked at the small human in front of her. He squealed. She laughed and poked him again. Her mother glared.
Deidre sighed and blasted the human with a fiery breath. Hmm, it didn't taste so bad barbecued.
© C. A. Verstraete (ISSUE 1505, Flashshot, 1/8/07)
-----------------------------------------------------------
FOR MAMAN
By C. A. Verstraete
Basil heard the names they called him. Idiot. Dummy.
He tried to be a good boy helping his Maman at the farm. Maman's boy, the other boys yelled. What was wrong with that, he wondered?
Finally, the meanest boy caught him at the stream drawing water.
Show you what it means to be an apron hugger, the bully taunted.
At the first punch, something in Basil snapped. A new rage filled him. He fought back.
He strolled home, the bucket containing the boy's heart at his side, a gift for his Maman.
He couldn't wait to see her reaction.
© C. A. Verstraete ( ISSUE 1479, Flashshot, 1/13/06)
