This week’s assignment was to write 10 microfiction stories, 100-150 words a piece. These stories should have a common metaphor, theme, or motif that ties them to one another.
Here is an entry from eighth grader John Luke. Beware, it gets dark.
Story #1- Arson
The IHOP waitress pulled me out of my chair and threw me onto the ground. She lifted her pale hand and slapped me hard. She then did it again again, and again, until her hand was bruised and blistered. “Are your pancakes still too cold?” My face was bloody and numb. She then called for “The Big Boys”. At this point, I was pretty scared, but the matches in my back left pocket were not. I slowly backed away from the booth and towards the door. I reached for the match and lit it behind my back. I looked around the diner, full of people. I felt a surge of empathy, but it was quickly filled with rage. I pushed open the door and threw the match over my back shoulder. The smell of burning flesh followed me outside.
Story #2- Kidnapping
I pulled the big white van to a stop right in front of 5-year-old Timmy. I pulled out my candy jar and rolled down the passenger window. I yelled, “ Hey there Timmy, you want some candy?!” His huge brown eyes lit up, and he raced towards the van. As soon as he got within 2 feet of the van, I jumped out of the van and ran around the car. I grabbed his rainbow backpack and threw him into the back of the truck. I looked at this child, scared to death, a look full of fear written on his face. The child was scared, but the trash bag in my back left pocket was not.
Story # 3- Homicide
As I turned the corner, I spotted him. Marcos Andrews, my high school bully. He had terrorized me from freshman year through senior. He would give me swirlies, shove me in lockers, and even pop my bike’s tire. I never did gain the confidence to stand up to him, but now it appears in me. “ Marco! Get yo fat feet over here!” I yelled, not knowing why. His black, floppy hair moved around as he turned to look at me. Recognition written on his face, he turned angry. I backed up a step, my normal reaction to seeing this 6’5 250-pound monster. I was scared, but the weapon in my back left pocket was not. I whipped out my ninja stars, straight from the dark and mysterious jungle of the Sharan Desert, and he started to run. I wasn’t gonna let him get away alive! Blood splattered across the pavement.
Story #4- Burgurlary
I opened the back window slowly and quietly. I couldn’t let the old lady know I was here. Ever since she put that restraining order on me, she hadn’t answered any of my calls or texts. I was scared, but my crowbar was not. I just wanted my trombone back! So, I jumped through the window and landed with a hard thump. The Sneakers guy was a LIAR! Light on the ground, he said. Well, She couldn’t have heard me, could she? I crossed the room to open the door. As I opened the door, I shiny necklace caught my eye. My past occupation memories came rushing back. I tried to stop myself, but I couldn’t help it. I swiped that and a few other things, and made my way to the living room. There it was! I grabbed it and rushed out of the house.
Story # 5- Bribery
I turned towards the exit, ready for McDonalds. But then, I hear the dreaded sounds of the police siren. Through the mic, the officer said, “ Pull over!” I did NOT want to pull over but convinced myself that this was the best choice. I pulled over. I was scared, but my money was not. I knew I had been speeding 75 over the limit, but I had a plan. The officer came to my door, and I rolled the window down. “ Sir, do you know how fast you were going?!” He barked at me. I replied the obvious answer, “ No.” The officer then became very annoyed. He began to write me a ticket, but this is where my plan came in. “ Officer, I’m sure that silly ticket isn’t something a wad of 100’s won’t fix.” I pulled out my briefcase filled with money. I’m currently in a cell in jail.
Story # 6- Vandalism
I hopped on my motorcycle, speeding away from the spray paint store. I had my destination in mind and was ready to make some art. Lincoln Middle School was my next target. I pulled into the parking lot and sprinted over to the backside wall. I was scared, but the cans of paint were not. I shook them up and started to create. My goal was to write the words, ‘ McDonalds, Rocks!’ I was halfway through with it when my can ran out of paint. I ran back to the parking lot, and I heard a noise that rattled through my bones. The sound of keys jiggling. The principal was coming out of the building! I hopped on my motorcycle, and sped away, leaving McDonald’s Roc, on the wall. At least I was safe.
Story #7- Stalking
I turned the corner and spotted my target. The 15-year-old guy was coming out of the Whataburger. I had been watching him for years, and I needed to know his every move. I follow him every day and every night. I have to find the perfect time to cut his toes off. It’s Thursday, so he gets his Whataburger and goes to his car. He starts it up and goes on his normal route. I hop on my bike and follow him. I keep a good distance because he might see me. We get to his house, and I feel that something’s off about today. Out of his house comes a man with an AK Rifle. Behind him are 55 hostages. I was scared, but my binoculars were not. I watched the man carefully feed the hostages, but then his dark eyes focused on me.
Story #8- Child Abandonment
As I pulled the car to a stop, my son started to scream. “Shut up kid!” I yelled back at him. The 5-year-old immediately stopped wailing. I opened the car door and took a look around. We were surrounded by dust, not a living being in sight. Perfect. I walked around to his seat and yanked him out. I then grabbed a shovel and started to dig a hole. When the hole was about 2 feet deep, I ran to the car. I grabbed my tape measure and started to measure my son. He had grown a lot, I observed. This hole would need to be a lot bigger. I dug and dug until the sun started to fall. I was scared of the dark, so I hurried up and stuffed him inside. At this point, it is pitch black. I was scared, but the duct tape was not.
Story #9- Identity Theft
The bank manager waved the ID in front of my face. “ Is this really you?” She said, pointing to the Chinese woman in the picture on the ID card. I cursed under my breath, mad at myself for grabbing the wrong ID again. Dequavion should’ve told me it was a woman! “ I worked on the beach for years, and used to grow my hair out,” I replied. The bank manager then proceeded to tell me that was claptrap because no sun tan could do what God did to me. This infuriated me, and I was fed up with this prejudice. “ Fine, if you must know, I had… I had... Plastic surgery! Yes, that’s it!” The bank manager did not believe me, because the next thing I knew she was calling SECURITY! I was scared, but my Lightning McQueen insoles were not. I was out of that bank in a flash.
Story #10- Grand Theft Auto
The hooligan made the mistake of leaving his keys on his hood. I threw my scooter away and ran over to the Ferrari. I grabbed the keys and unlocked the car. I turned the ignition and was out of that Wendy’s parking lot quicker than a bullet. Soon, the cops were on my tail. I had never been in a chase with the cops before. I was scared, but the 150-mph Ferrari was not! I weaved in and out of traffic, heading up to my secret hideout in Vegas. Once I was far enough from the cops, I stopped to get some Mickey Dees. As I walked in, I looked at the TV. There, on channel 6, I was. They said there was a $50,000 reward for whoever brought me in. Well, I’m no idiot, so I drove myself to the station, ready to gain my stack of cash.
Great Scott!
Very good!