FLASH FICTION: "I Have A Secret", "Sibling Affirmation", and "Innocently Dead"

Note: I've decided to start posting flash fiction every Saturday, as I've been writing a 250 word short story every week for a contest I'm a part of! I have a lot of tales to share, so for now I'll be posting three every Saturday. Eventually I'll post only one. Enjoy!

I Have A Secret

“Hey, you.” 

I look around. The sidewalk is crowded with bums and hippies, a few “decent” folk trying to make their way. I know nobody. I keep walking. 

“Wait! I was talking to you.” Somebody pulls on my sleeve, a young girl, maybe eight? 

“What do you want?” 

“Nothing. I just want you to sit by me.” 

I stifle a laugh. 

“I have a secret - I'll say it out loud to you if you sit by me.” 

“I'm kinda busy kid,” I pull my phone out of my pocket to check the time. If I don't hurry I'll be late for work. 

“That's what everyone says,” the kid’s eyes fall. 

Something melts inside of me. “Where do you want to sit?” 

A smile lights up the kid's face as she drags me to a bench. Surprisingly no one else is on it. 

“So what's your secret?” It's a good thing my boss is my uncle. I have no fear of being fired. Yet I hate being late. 

“Sit! And talk to me first!” I oblige. Except I don't talk - she does. “I always wanted a friend - almost as bad as parents. But I know you can't have a friend without a secret - you have to have secrets to tell best friends.” 

“Oh?” 

“And now I've found a friend!” Her smile is too big. I suddenly know I won't be going to work alone. 

“What's your secret, kid?” 

She whispers, “I'm still trying to think of it." 






Sibling Affirmation

“That's what everyone says.” 

“Not me,” he replied. She looked at him, doubt displayed in her wide eyes. “Hey, I'm just saying you can try. Or you can just keep complaining. Seriously, though. Who cares what everyone else says?” 

“I do,” she admitted. 

“Obviously.” Sarcasm dropped from his voice. “But that's gotta change.” 

Some of her fears dissolved as she smiled. “Says who?” 

“Says me. Now just submit that stupid story of yours. It's really good. I like it. So will someone else.” 

She smiled again. “See! Even you think it's stupid.” 

He laughed, “Girl! Do I need to tell you again? It's not stupid. I don't care what others have told you. Send it in. And just have faith. You work? So you submit. It's the process.” 

“Fine.” Her smile had become a goofy grin. 

“Fine? Really?” He appeared very surprised to have won the argument. 

“Actually,” her eyes twisted with laughter. “I hit send several minutes ago… I just wanted to hear you say something good about it.” 

“Sometimes I don't like the fact you're my sister.” 





Innocently Dead

I’m a danger to God and people, and I don't even know how I became so.” The girl tells her friend. They both shiver as they cuddle to together in their small prison cell. 

“No your not. And neither am I. We are innocent. Besides nothing is dangerous to God.” 

“Do you think we're actually innocent, Penny?” 

“I know it,” Penny declared. “Don't worry, Bethany.” 

Bethany shivered more. So did Penny. It was too cold for two fifteen year old girls. 

“How can you be certain?” 

“Did you ever worship Satan?” 

“I don't think so… but-“ 

“No!” Penny broke into Bethany's words. “We are innocent. We never chose to rebel against God.” 

Noise broke through the dungeon. “Bring those witches out! Burn them before the sun sets.” 

“I'm scared, Penny.” 

“Me too.” 

“Why won't they believe us?” 

“They are trapped by fear.” 

The girls were tied to stakes. The wood around their feet was already smoking. Penny tried to speak to defend herself and her friend, but none would hear their testimony. 

Bethany whimpered. She prayed inside, asking God to clear her name even if He chose to not save her. The girls were surrounded by hate, for a supposed crime. 

They were too young to die, but neither fear nor fire cared. The fire grew, the girls’ heads drooped, and not one person felt remorse. 

Life had been stolen, for not one person present knew how to love