Author: Lauren Thomas

  • Microfiction Day 234 – ‘Copycat’

    Microfiction Day 234 – ‘Copycat’

    The painting was surrounded by silence. People stood before it in hushed wonder, putting away their phones in favour of absorbing brushstrokes. He went there often, but not so often that it aroused suspicion, sitting before a handful of paintings. He always lingered a little longer at this one. He could remember the day so…

  • Microfiction Day 233 – ‘Storm Chaser’

    Microfiction Day 233 – ‘Storm Chaser’

    He had followed the forecast and tracked the storms. Knew that tonight would be the best chance he had ever had. As the thunder rumbled in the distance, the air thick and heavy with the humidity that had been building for days, he ran out into the field, the sweat on his back both uncomfortable…

  • Microfiction Day 232 – ‘The Return’

    Microfiction Day 232 – ‘The Return’

    She had been born to be in the water. He marvelled at how quickly she took to her swimming lessons, pushing out of her teacher’s arms within twenty minutes, dark eyes determined. She threw tantrums when they drained her bath, loved rainy days for the puddles. Deep down he knew the day was coming. On…

  • Microfiction Day 231 – ‘Reliving’

    Microfiction Day 231 – ‘Reliving’

    The nightmare came every night. She had learned to expect it, knew that she would wake up with a cotton wool mouth and pin prick eyes. The hitchhiker with the eyepatch and the black dog was always waiting. She would beg her father not to stop but he always did. The man would get in…

  • Microfiction Day 230 – ‘Fierce’

    Microfiction Day 230 – ‘Fierce’

    “I can’t do it.” “Why not?” “I’m too little. Everyone is bigger than me.” She crouched down and looked her in the eye. “Do you know who else was little? Rosa Parks. Mother Teresa. Ruth Bader Ginsburg. And what about the women you love? Ariana Grande. Simone Biles. Greta Thunberg.” She rolled up her sleeve…

  • Microfiction Day 229 – ‘Wanting the Unwanted’

    Microfiction Day 229 – ‘Wanting the Unwanted’

    The smell hit her first. Dust layered with stale wine and anticipation. She had loved that theatre. Had watched her parents treading the boards at more performances than she could remember, her heart swelling with pride at overheard whispers praising her mother’s voice and her father’s presence. When they announced they were knocking it down…

  • Microfiction Day 228 – ‘Solstice’

    Microfiction Day 228 – ‘Solstice’

    She set her alarm for four in the morning, and woke with the anticipation she remembered feeling as a child on Christmas morning. But now the gifts she expected to receive were different. The toys she had once loved were long since discarded, but these would nourish her every day if she let them. Closing…

  • Microfiction Day 227 – ‘The Guardian’

    Microfiction Day 227 – ‘The Guardian’

    She looked at the shattered teacup and felt her face flush with panic. She had always worn lies like a useless mask on her face, the truth clearly exposed behind her reddened cheeks. She could picture her grandmother’s bared teeth and raised hand, could feel the sting of the smack on the back of her…

  • Microfiction Day 226 – ‘Loose Connections’

    Microfiction Day 226 – ‘Loose Connections’

    “What beautiful flowers! The yellow is lovely against your pink dress.” “Thank you. Can you believe they’re from a secret admirer?” They exchanged excited smiles. “What beautiful flowers! So many colours!” “Thank you. They’re for my mother. She’s in hospital. Hopefully they’ll cheer her up.” They exchanged worried smiles. “What beautiful flowers! White lilies are…

  • Microfiction Day 225 – ‘Don’t Move’

    Microfiction Day 225 – ‘Don’t Move’

    She saw the gun before she saw the man. Stop. Don’t move. Watch him. He was looking for her. She could tell from the look in his eyes. The flare of his nostrils. The signs of blood lust. Don’t move. Watch him. He was creeping. Trying not to scare her. Trying to keep control. Don’t…