Tiny Short Stories

1. Bones

On the eighth anniversary of our dog’s death, we decided to go back to the old house and dig him up, just to see. And we laughed at the chicken bones we found buried amongst the dirt and childhood fantasies.

2. Gate

Private property. No trespassing. Even for those who refuse to listen.
A scream.
Once again, they were not fast enough.

3. Guilt

Someone I used to know died. And now she’s here. She doesn’t talk, never makes a sound. But she’s there. Always looking sad. Maybe I shouldn’t keep her head in my freezer.

4. Mother

She stopped asking me how I’m doing. Maybe she didn’t care, maybe she already knew she wouldn’t like the answer.

5. Experiment

I kissed my best friend when we were thirteen. I don’t think he really enjoyed it. But then again, neither did I. I assume it was his first kiss. And if it wasn’t, I pity the ones who came before me.

6. Bird

A woman with a flute and a mess of hair who hums but never sings, whispers but never speaks. She lacks eyebrows and common sense, her sunglasses round and bright yellow. Don’t let her near your eggs, or little monsters might crawl out.

7. Lie

“I will come with you.”
“I’d rather you didn’t.”

8. Ache

“I love you, too,” she said. But she knew what she really meant was: “I love you more.”

9. Adventure

He liked taking children on adventures. But sometimes, children too young or too weak, could not keep up. And if you could not keep up with his adventures, you were better off dead.

10. Dreamcatcher

“Can you do something for me?” she asked, already handing him a bucket.

He looked up at her, confused. “What do you want me to do?”

“Catch me some of those,” she said, nodding at the stars above them.

11. Rude

“If possible, would you want to be reanimated?” he asked his grandmother.
She took no time to think before answering. “Obviously.”
“Oh? Are you having such a good time, then?”

12. Sea

“Can you sail?” he asked her.
“I’ve dreamt of sailing,” she said.
He nodded. “That’s enough.”

13. Gift

He’ll forever remember the day she called him back. It was the same day he discovered the teeth and human hair hidden in his pillows.

14. Wolf

They were playing hide and seek. They kept getting lucky, finding each other again and again. It angered him, but he was patient. After all, he only needed the good luck of finding them once.