#Fridayfictioneers: Compromise

On March 3, 2016 By Luther M. SilerIn Stories7 Comments

copyight-sean-fallon — PHOTO PROMPT © Sean Fallon

“Here you go.”

Holtzman groaned. “What the hell is that?”

“You said you needed a battery. This is what we have.”

This is the worst mad scientist lab of all time, Holtzman thought.

“You hired me to build a killbot. A four-story tall killbot. You were very specific about four stories. How do you expect me to power a four story killbot with AAA batteries?”

“I don’t know,” Gilbert sniffed. “You’re the scientist. You figure it out.”

Holtzman thought carefully for a few minutes.

“Fine. I can do three stories. But you’re going to have to find me a nine-volt.”

Word Count: 100

Friday Fictioneers is a weekly blog hop hosted by Rochelle. She posts a photo prompt then challenges readers to write a 100 word story inspired by the prompt. It’s a fun challenge. Give it a try! Check here for the info then write your story and post it, link up and enjoy the other stories!

#Fridayfictioneers: Going Native

On February 19, 2016March 3, 2016 By Luther M. SilerIn Stories2 Comments

She pointed. “That’s how long you’ve got. Make it worth it.”

“It wasn’t my fault–”

She cut him off. “Bzzt. Try another one.”

“It wasn’t me!”

“Fifteen seconds.”

“I was captured by aliens and replaced by a Gerotrossian replicant who managed to ruin my life in the 24 hours he had between insertion and his PseudoSkin simulant dissolving and needing to return to the mothership. I’m actually a space cop from Betelgeuse 19.”

An eyebrow lifted.

“You have my attention. That was at least entertaining. One more minute.”

Galactic Sergeant Olin Cardswallock rubbed his forehead. Sometimes undercover on-planet work wasn’t worth it.

Word Count: 100

#Fridayfictioneers: Move to the country! It’ll be great!

On February 4, 2016 By Luther M. SilerIn Stories11 Comments

“Well, there’s your problem.” The old man spat, then crossed himself. “Faerie road, out there in the marshes. Pointed to your house.”

I blinked. Twice. “What?”

“Aye. Brings the old ones out, it will. The sounds, the bangs, the cracks, the bugs. None of it the house. Their doing. All of it.”

He leaned toward me. “I know one who could fix it. But not a carpenter. An exterminator.”

Okay. “What’s his name?”

“Don’t worry about that, now,” he said. “Just … well, sometimes they’re angry when their roads are broken. Consider moving. Might be easier.”

Suddenly I really missed Chicago.

Word Count: 100

#Fridayfictioneers: Black House

On January 27, 2016January 28, 2016 By Luther M. SilerIn Stories11 Comments

“Doesn’t that mean ‘Black House’?”

“Probably.”

“It’s beige.”

“Maybe it means the mold,” Pierce said, kicking a rock. “I don’t know who named it. How long we gonna wait here?”

“Until he comes out,” Karen said. “Dude has my lighter. I want it back.”

“You serious?” Pierce said. “We’re stalking a celebrity over a lighter.”

“That and he’s gonna marry me,” she said.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No. We’re leaving.” He grabbed her hand.

The knife came out, pointed at his crotch.

“‘Kay.” He backed off. “We wait.”

Hopefully the gendarmerie had taken his call seriously. She got like this sometimes.

Word Count: 99

#Fridayfictioneers: The Estate

On January 22, 2016January 22, 2016 By Luther M. SilerIn Stories5 Comments

“Is that a harpsichord?”

“Nah, it’s an old piano. Don’t touch it.” Joe pointed at the DO NOT TOUCH sign displayed above the keys.

Ed looked closely. The piano was carefully dusted, but one key had some extra wear on it. He hit it a few times. Nothing happened.

“Do not touch that,” the butler commanded. “That piece is not part of the auction.”

“Whatever you say, Al,” Ed said, tapping the broken key a few more times just for giggles.

Elsewhere in the mansion, unnoticed by anyone, the door to the cave silently slid open.

Word Count: 95

#Fridayfictioneers: Memories

On January 13, 2016January 13, 2016 By Luther M. SilerIn Stories6 Comments

“It was right here, I’m telling you.”

“I can’t believe we’re doing this, we’re gonna get in trouble–”

“Shut up,” she said tenderly, and drew him in for a kiss. “The school closed two decades ago. Nobody’s watching. We had a way bigger chance of getting caught the first time.”

“The first time the punishment wouldn’t have been jail,” he said. “Or, like, our kids finding out.”

“They’ll think it’s cool,” she said. “I remember you talking me into this last time. Now c’mere. Remind me why it worked.”

They embraced, the leaves skittering on the stairs the only sound.

Word Count: 100

#Fridayfictioneers: Resolution

On January 8, 2016January 8, 2016 By Luther M. SilerIn Stories1 Comment

melanie-greenwood — PHOTO PROMPT © Melanie Greenwood

It was a perfect day. The sky the deepest blue it could be, cloudless, the sun warming the tarmac just enough to make the day pleasant and not chilly.

I looked at Morgan. I’d named her after my one-and-only; I’d lost her namesake a few years back, but I still had the jet. Hadn’t flown in a while. Wouldn’t again, after today.

There was probably a cure, somewhere. I didn’t need it. I needed to fly again, before they said I couldn’t. And when I decided it was time…

…well, the Pacific was right there.

Word Count: 95

#Fridayfictioneers: Requests

On December 31, 2015December 31, 2015 By Luther M. SilerIn StoriesLeave a comment

“You bring this to me,” he said. “Why?”

“They say Papa Ortell’s network is the best.”

“Papa Ortell is an old fat man who wants to be alone with his croissant and coffee,” he spat. “Not to be bothered by… supplicants.” It was an insult.

“Jezka’s been gone a week,” I said. “Jezka owes me money. So Jezka owes you money.”

He laughed, a short, brutal sound with no mirth. “Jezka pays to find Jezka, eh? Clever. Now go away.” He waved a hand. And his eyes glowed, ice blue.

I felt bad for the kid. But not much.

Word Count: 99