Weekly Microfiction

Gary left. The job, the wife, the kids. He wanted to taste other ways of living.

He studied with mountain monks. He bloodied his knuckles for money. He hauled crab traps in frigid waters.

When he came home, he apologized. But they didn't want him anymore.#microfiction

— Words Deferred (@DeferredWords) June 7, 2021

In the kingdom, the Pure have unmarked flesh. Others receive the caste tattoos at birth.

With the right pigments, caste can be covered. That's how the outcasts entered the palace. That's how they took the princess under cold moonlight, and covered her with ink.#microfiction

— Words Deferred (@DeferredWords) June 8, 2021

Esteban didn't vote for his brother. He knew what Carlos was capable of. After Carlos won, there were no more elections. There were police. Soldiers. Smoke and fire.

Esteban knew his brother. Mama's grave, every birthday. He breathed slow. He pulled the trigger.#microfiction

— Words Deferred (@DeferredWords) June 9, 2021

One day, Angela looks into the bright blue sky, and enlightenment pours into her. She discovers she isn't herself, just the universe seeing itself from a certain point of view. She is one with everything.

It turns out dying is like that for everyone.#microfiction

— Words Deferred (@DeferredWords) June 10, 2021

The space between stars is vast. That's why only wizards visit other worlds.

Xoknar brought his staff, his sword, and his robe of many pockets (each filled with something useful). No alien beast would maul him. But he forgot his spell to make air.#microfiction

— Words Deferred (@DeferredWords) June 11, 2021

When Dana used the voice, they always obeyed. She told her love to marry her, her children to love her, her boss to give her a raise.

When she worked up the courage to ask instead, they all said "No."

She went back to telling. But she knew she was alone.#microfiction

— Words Deferred (@DeferredWords) June 12, 2021

After the meteor, we moved underground. It's dark, but it's safe and warm. Sometimes I sneak up top. I'm not supposed to. I collect treasures from Before.

The people up top are scary. Like beasts. They almost caught me, once. That was the first time I killed.#microfiction

— Words Deferred (@DeferredWords) June 13, 2021