Tag: short story
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Week 11 – Birthday Party
Blue, purple and pink, they fight for attention, bobbing in the air and pulling away from their restraints. The balloons wave at passerbys and excitedly point down the driveway to where fairy lights and streamers paint the house. The sounds of squeals and giggles float around the property and invite grins as well as sparkles…
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Week 10 – Grandma’s Place
A metropolis of dishes. Bowl stacked upon bowl, utensils balancing precariously amongst plates and glasses. Something is growing in a plastic container, its belly a soft vanilla with bubbles of olive stretching outwards; pocket copies expanding around the grooves. Newspapers from a daily delivery and bi-weekly sit pushed against the wall. Tiny steps of black…
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Week 8 – The Vet
The smell of fur and pet food tickles her nose. She sits with her legs outstretched, crossed at the ankles, hoping she looks patient and only slightly concerned, rather than bordering on a breakdown. Her body is tense. Eyes fixed to the floor. Her four-legged best friend has been with the vet for at least…
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Week 7 – Light
The wave of black hills glitters in the night as lights turn on and off and residents move throughtout apartments and offices. A stream of red and white lights flood the highway as brakes are touched or slammed depending on the attention of drivers. Wellington looks gorgeous tonight, but few are paying attention. Only the…
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Week 6 – Wisdom Tooth
A forest scene with a river running through it. Double rainbow. A beach view of some purple plants Mountains. Lots of mountains. I try to focus at the images of calendar scenes pasted together above me, while two faces pass in front, using blades, clamps, and what looks like a screwdriver. The pain is almost…
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Week 5 – Stormy
The rain hammered on the roof and attempted to sneak through cracks and windows, forgotten and left open. Giants marched above, rumbling the skies and sending shivers down spines. Humid only moments before, goosebumps were quickly rising across arms and legs as people reached for jackets, blankets and each other. The wind roared as it…
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Week 4 – To the Playground
Dad is in the kitchen. Mum is in the back garden. Michael wants to play. “Dad, can I go to the playground?” asks Michael. “Not just yet,” says dad. “We’ll go this afternoon. Do you want to help with lunch?” “No thanks,” Michael says as he turns away. He goes outside to find mum pulling…
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Week 3 – Heartbeat
It’s so loud. Can everyone hear it? Thump. Thump. If they can’t hear it, at they will see it. Surely. Thump. Thump. Every heartbeat like a hiccup as it attempts to force itself out; desperately trying to move past her ribs. Thump. Thump. This is the moment. No turning back. She takes a step towards…
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Week 2 – Midnight
Scott’s eyes were heavy but his thoughts buzzed loudly. Endless ideas and memories flickering and fighting for attention. 11.59pm. ‘At least it’s still today and not tomorrow’, he thought. 12.00am Damn. The glaring red light of the clock radio burnt the numbers into his eyes as Scott rolled away from the light. Six hours until…
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Week 1 – The Snake in the Car
The shake of a rattlesnake sounded from behind. There were no snakes in this country, let alone in the back of the car and almost as immediately as the thought had formed, it was replaced with the realisation that the noise had been a rear window wiper, rarely used. As rain flooded the windscreen and…
Kendall Forbes 