Eighty Second Friday Flash: The Magic Pillowcase

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 The air was thick with the smell of damp hay. John scooped up all the muck and grime off the floor. Hard work but it distracted him from the pain he felt in his heart. His wife was close to surgery, the doctors said it was touch and go on whether she would make it. Her mother was with her and she blamed the situation on him, which only frustrated him further, he only wanted the best for his wife.

Most of the animals were in the barn today, it was too cold for them to be out. With his work done, he went over and stroked the bull Moosby's neck. The bovine moved and stamped his hoof in appreciation. Moosby's eyes darted to the side and he shied away. John searched the room, it was a mouse sitting in the middle of the floor staring at them.

John gripped the handle of his broom. Ready to shoo it away, but it seemed to beckon his with its little paw, curious, John followed it. The mouse went up to the second floor of the barn, where the bales of hay were kept. It stopped to look at him a few times, as if to check he was still following it.

Dodging a few spiderwebs and climbing over some hay bales John found himself in the corner. There was a shaft of morning little shining through a hole in the roof. One day he would have to fix that. The mouse was sitting on something white and dusty. He couldn't believe it, it was his wife's favourite pillowcase. It had gone missing a week before she was rushed to hospital.

John got out some of his breakfast nuts and berries and gave it to the mouse. It sat there chewing as John gently pulled the pillowcase away from it. With the pillowcase in hand he rushed to the farmhouse.

The washing machine and tumble dryer seemed to take forever. He had to get it to his wife, he knew it would comfort her.

When he reached the ward she was staying in he was shocked to discover that she wasn't there. In a panic he grabbed the nearest nurse.

“My wife?”

“Oh, Mr. Johnson, didn't you know? She is in surgery, your mother-in-law said she would inform you.”

He would need to confront his mother-in-law later. “How is she?”

Just then his wife was wheeled in. She looked so tired, but he was so happy to see she was okay. He glared at his mother-in-law and she stared back. The nurse took in the situation.

“Come, Mr's Arden, your daughter needs her husband.”

His mother-in-law began to protest but stopped when she saw the pillowcase with the rainbow design in his hand.

John sat down next to his wife and took her hand in his. It was warm, but unresponsive. With the nurse's help he changed the pillowcase.

He felt a gentle squeeze and opened his eyes. Her other hand rested on the pillowcase. She looked very weak, but there was a smile on her face. It was all that he needed to see. It was going to be a long road, but everything was going to be just fine.

Forty Sixth Friday Flash: Donna Loses Her Wings.

Donna stuffed her pockets full of tissues. It was her last box, and she was on her way out to get some more. It was one of the worst colds she had had in years, she had gone through three boxes already. Popping some cold medication she headed out the door, she hoped to be back before the drowsiness set in.

The first store did not have her favorite variant Angel Wings. They offered her other brands, but she refused, she had tried them before, they would feel like sand paper to her already inflamed nose.

In a huff she went off to the next place, Pearlingtons, the biggest retail store in town. They had everything you need and a lot you didn't. It was quite a drive, but they had never let her down before. Blowing her nose with the second last of her tissues she made her way to the aisle.

She stared dumbly at the shelf where the Angel Wings normally were. This just could not be! She clicked her fingers at the nearest Pearlington employee.

“Oi, sunshine!”

The shop assistant sighed and shuffled over. Donna wondered if the kid was old enough to work there.

“Ma'am?”

“Angel Wings, where are the Angel Wings?”

“The what sorry?”

“Angel Wings tissues!” said Donna pounding her foot.

“Oh those, we don't sell them anymore.”

“What? That's insane! Call the manager.”

“Umm... but it's such a small problem...”

Donna went a little further down the aisle and knocked over a Feathersoft tissue display. “Do you doubt the seriousness of my request now?”

“Crazy old bat,” muttered the boy.

“I will pretend I didn't hear that, now go!”

A bit shame faced the assistant shuffled off again.

Donna wondered if maybe she was a bit harsh, but she shook her head, how could they not stock Angel Wings? It was an outrage. Some shoppers stared at her, but soon stopped when she glared at them back.

A few moments later a tall man arrived, he was about twice her height.

“I understand you're causing a disturbance?”

“No, you listen to me, where are my Angel Wings?”

“They have been discontinued.”

“I don't believe it!”

“Maybe you would like to try new the Feathersoft?” he asked grabbing a box from a nearby shelf and offering it to her.

She knocked the box out of his hand. “Never!”

“Calm down ma'am!”

That was it, she snapped. Donna gripped the man by the tie, pulling him down to her eye level. With a full back swing she slapped him across the face.

“That calm enough for you?”

The man fell over, squashing half a dozen Feathersoft tissue boxes. There was a spot of blood coming from his nose. He just sat there, his eyes large and his hand pressed against his cheek. She threw her last Angel Wings at him and stomped away. She had a strongly worded email to write when she got home.

Forty Third Friday Flash: Lollipop

Thanks to @robi27 for editing and @indulgence_cafe for items, location and emotion suggestions(lollipop, giraffe, hacksaw, house and disbelief)

Ginny loved visiting her grandfather. He always had presents for her. Today he gave her a lollipop and a great big balloon with a giraffe on it.

“Thank you, Pappy!”

“Pleasure, my darling,” he said before he started coughing violently.

Ginny frowned. “Are you okay?”

“All good, my dear.”

“Okay,” she replied undoing the lollipop's wrapper and popping the multi-coloured candy into her mouth. It was a welcome distraction, she didn't want to think about how sick her grandfather was.

“Will you do me a favour, Ginny?”

“Anything for you, Pappy.”

“That's my girl,” he said handing her a hacksaw.

Ginny reluctantly took it, and held it at arm's length. Turning it over and looking at the serrated blade. “This is dangerous.”

“In the wrong hands yes, but you're a big girl.”

“What do you want me to do with it?” she asked, her spirits boosted by his confidence in her.

“See that cabinet over there? I want you to cut the lock off of it.”

Ginny took a step back, “But that would upset mummy.”

“Please sweetheart, just this once.” Her grandfather leaned forward in his bed, his big brown eyes filled with life. Sometimes he wasn't much better than the boys in her school. Always up to something naughty.

“I don't know.” Her mom could get awfully angry.

“After your mom throws me in that retirement home I will have no freedom at all.” He coughed again more violently this time.

Ginny sighed, “Okay.”

She went over to the cabinet and carefully began to work on the long necked lock, her grandfather putting his radio on full blast so it would disguise the noise. Ginny worked a little faster, her Pappy's music gave her a headache and she was worried her mom would come back from cleaning the kitchen at any moment.

Just when she thought her arm was going to catch fire from muscle burn she cut through the lock.

“Fantastic, my girl,” he said turning the radio down a bit. “Now bring the one with the three ships on it please.”

“Okay, Pappy.”

She carefully took it over, the bottle was heavy. With shaking hands he took it and placed it on his bedside cupboard.

“Can I try some, Pappy?” she asked as he opened the bottle.

They both froze as her mom barged into the room. “Will you put that infernal noise down?! Hey… wait! What is going on here? I can't leave you two alone for a minute!”

Ginny felt sad as she saw the light go out of her grandfather's eyes.

“I'm not a baby!”

“Sometimes I wonder! It's bad for you and you know it.” Her mother took hold of the bottle, but he wouldn't let go.

Ginny took a few paces back and reached in the cupboard for the other bottle she had seen, this one had a black label. Moving as quietly as she could, she placed the bottle in the bottom draw of the chest of draws next to the cabinet.

Her grandfather seeing what Ginny had done let go of the bottle. “Okay you win, you know best.”

“That's better.”

“Now give me a hug.”

Ginny smiled as her mom leaped at the chance, normally her grandfather hated hugs. “You know I'm only looking out for you right?”

“I know, I know,” he said winking at Ginny.

Ginny winked back.

Her mum turned to her, “Don't look so pleased with yourself, you're not off the hook yet.”

“Yes, mummy,” she said taking the lollipop out of her mouth.

Forty Second Friday Flash: 42

>Please read first<

** With this being my 42nd Friday Flash I thought I would play with the number 42. and being a The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy fan and the fact I'm reading a biography about Douglas Adams it was an obvious course of action that only struck me last night. Please read the notes below. Hopefully the story works. I've rounded it to 420 words.

*** "In 1966, mathematician Paul Cooper theorized that the fastest, most efficient way to travel across continents would be to bore a straight hollow tube directly through the Earth, connecting a set of antipodes, evacuate it (remove the air), and then just fall through.[5] The first half of the journey consists of free-fall acceleration, while the second half consists of an exactly equal deceleration. The time for such a journey works out to be 42 minutes. Remarkably, even if the tube does not pass through the exact center of the Earth, the time for a journey powered entirely by gravity always works out to be 42 minutes, as long as the tube remains friction-free, as while gravity's force would be lessened, so would the distance traveled at an equal rate.[6][7] (The same idea was proposed, without calculation, by Lewis Carroll in 1893 in Sylvie and Bruno Concluded.[8])"

**** this story in no way reflects my political leanings or lack thereof.

***** If you have your 42nd story coming up I challenge you to use the 42 theme too


- 32 minutes from impact -

Gerald stared at the screen. His eyes were streaming. Why did he insist on going to the game? Maggie was on the other side the tube. People were running riot all around him. It would be a miracle if he reached the tube in time.

A man landed with a sickening splat a few feet away from him. Gerald jumped back, shook his head and ran on. Since the announcement that a giant meteor was headed for Earth 10 minutes ago the world had gone mad. The authorities said it was for their own good. They would have kept them totally in the dark, but some rogue insiders were going to leak the news and they beat them to it.

He had gotten on the phone instantly. Maggie was crying. He had done his best to calm her down.

The queue to the 42 wasn't as bad he thought it would be, but was it short enough? It was remarkable civilized most were.

Maggie was on the other end.

“Almost there my love,” he said.

“Me too,” she said. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“We won't be able to touch, but at least we will be a little closer.”

“You think of everything my dearest.”

“I try,” he said, forlornly looking up at the moon. It was no wonder the world leaders had convened an urgent meeting there. I bet they weren't laughing at Newt Gingrich's plan for a permanent moon base now. Although with the Earth gone or whacked out of orbit it might send the Moon off on a collision course with something else.

- 22 minutes to go -

“I'm in position,” she said.

“Me too, on my count, 3...2...1... go.”

Gerald pressed the big red button in his little lifepod. Even though he had chosen the course because of his love for Maggie, a part of him was hoping being near the Earth's core when the meteor struck would protect them from the worst of it. Most of all he hoped it wouldn't lead to an even more painful death.

The connection through their cellphones was awfully fuzzy. He listened as Maggie recited one of her favourite poems off by heart. He didn't mind, he loved her voice and he knew it would help keep her calm.

- 15 seconds to go -

“I... I love you,” she said, her voice cracking.

“I love you too, my dear.”

Forty First Friday Flash: Twinkles

*All feedback is welcome. #stabbylove

Marisa sat in her back garden sipping on a cocktail, it was only 11am, but it was her weekend off and she would do what she damn well pleased. It was so relaxing to sit back and do nothing. The peace and quiet was soon shattered when a large statue of a man appeared a dozen or more feet above her lawn and dropped down with a ground shaking thud.

“My lawn!” she cried out. She had spent the previous weekend getting the garden into shape.

Twinkles who had been sleeping by her feet woke up with a start and barked at the statue.

Looking up she saw no helicopter or any other reason for the statue's sudden appearance.

Shaken and her heart pounding, she picked up her hairbrush and moved in closer. There was heat radiating from the statue, it felt as hot or even more so than one of her sunbed tanning sessions.

There was no inscription on the statue, and it didn't look like any historical figure she could remember.

“Shh Twinkles!”

Marisa leaned over and touched the statue. “Ouch!” She put her finger in her mouth, easing the pain a bit. It tasted like burnt metal.

Taking out her phone she took a photo and uploaded it to her feed. “Statue just landed in my yard?!? Lucky to be alive!”

Marisa went inside, she would give the local police station a call, but she was sidetracked when she saw there was a breaking news report on the TV. She turned up the volume.

“We are getting reports of statues falling down all over the country, no wait,” the reporter placed her hand to her ear. “It's worldwide. It's happening everywhere.”

Marisa couldn't help but feel some of the fear in the reporter's voice. Reaching for her phone she checked other people's feeds, it was full of photos and people trying to find out what was going on. Some seeming to go crazy, thinking it was the end of world. Marisa was frightened, but she wasn't going to let it get the better of her. Not yet.

Twinkles came running in, Marisa picked up the dog and stroked the shivering little body. The dog gave her some comfort, like she had many time before, through breakups, family passing and friends leaving. She had always been there to provide her some warmth and companionship.

The TV caught her attention again. “This is serious people, we have reports and video footage of the statues coming alive, hold on, yes, okay, yes they are not friendly. I repeat they are not friendly.”

Marisa froze, and turned her head slowly to look through her glass sliding door. The statue was gone. Marisa placed Twinkles on the floor.

“Run girl, run.”

Twinkles just sat down and moaned.

Marisa took up her bottle of vodka and took a good swig. A moment later the statue came crashing through her house, instinct kicked in and she dived away just in time.

Getting shakily to her feet she threw the bottle she still had in her hand at the statue, it smashed on its face, but seemed to have very little effect.

“What the hell do you want?”

The statue did not reply. It moved closer towards her.

Twinkles barked at the door, Marisa rushed over scooped her up, grabbed her keys and ran out the front door. She hopped in and placed Twinkles on the passenger seat and tried to start the car. It wouldn't work. She could hear screams and shouts coming from her neighbours. The statue burst out the front of her house.

“Oh crap! Come on, start! I just serviced you last week!”

Her car finally started, without looking she rammed it into reverse and sped backwards. There was a massive impact, she had smashed into one of the statues. Twinkles squealed and hid in the back. She looked in the rear mirror as it regained its balance.

The statue from her garden came striding forward and kicked the car, caving in the back door and making the car spin around a few times. Her head smacked against the side window rather forcefully, cracking it in the process. She did her best not to look at the blood that was splattered everywhere. Marisa groaned, and opened the car door to flop down onto the road.

Twinkles jumped out of the car, barked and licked her face. Marisa tried to crawl away, but there was just too much pain. Twinkles pulled at her shirt.

“Get away you silly dog, save yourself.”

Twinkles ignored her and pulled harder.

"Now Twinkles! Go!"

Twinkles seemed to look at her directly in the eyes and then gave one last lick before running away. Blood pouring out of the side of her mouth Marisa smiled, at least Twinkles would be safe.

Fortieth Friday Flash: Nessie (Revised Version)

*****
With comments on the story from @LouiseBroadBent and @Grahamza I thought it would be best to alter my Friday Flash a bit. Luckily I haden't posted my story into the collector so thought I would do a new blog post and keep the old one.

Mostly the ending has changed. If you feel so inclined please let me know if it's an improvement over the previous version.
*****


Caleb brushed his teeth vigorously, he wanted to get rid of his stupid spicy sausage breath. He loved his mum's cooking, but it played havoc on his personal hygiene.

The doorbell rang.

“I'll get it!” he shouted and ran down the stairs. He pulled his clothes straight and flattened his hair before snatching the door open. He smiled, it was Emily, she was all eyes and raven black hair.

Without saying a word Emily reached out and wiped away the toothpaste from his chin.

Blushing, he looked down.

His toothbrush was snatched from his hand. Caleb span around, it was his mum.

“Have him back by 6pm.”

“Mom! I'm 9 years old! Can't I stay out longer?”

“No, it's going to get dark early, and I'm sure your nanny needs to study for her exams.”

“Yes, I do,” said Emily “Enjoy your book club.”

Emily took his hand and they strolled down the hill towards the loch. He enjoyed spending time with her, all his friends thought girls were icky, but Emily was different, she was a woman.

“Are we going to that coffee shop again? I don't like it there, the music is always so annoying.”

“Not this time, Mr. Darcy has agreed to let us ride with him on his boat for a couple of hours.”

“Wow, really?”

“Yes, as long as we don't get in his way.”

“You're the best.”

“Just don't tell your mum, okay?”

“My lips are sealed.”

“Good.”

They were about halfway down to the loch.

“Emily?”

“Yes?”

“One day when I'm older and rich with money coming out of my ears, will you, um, will you marry me?”

She laughed. He would say anything to make her laugh. “You're a sweet kid, you should enjoy your youth, you don't want to shackle yourself too early on.”

“Nah, being young sucks, always people telling you what to do.”

She ruffled his hair. “Believe me kid, things don't change.”

“It will be different for me.”

“Maybe so, but come along, Mr. Darcy will be waiting.”

Sure enough the old man shouted at them as soon as he spotted them. “Come on, come on! Nessie will eat all the fish if we don't hurry!”

Several minutes later they were out on the water, Caleb and Emily looking out onto the water while Mr. Darcy set up his fishing rods.

“Remember to keep away from the water,” said Mr. Darcy. “Nessie has been very active lately.”

“You don't really believe do you?” asked Emily.

“You would be foolish not to, I have spotted the beast many times, never a clear good look, but its there alright.”

“I hope we see it!” said Caleb.

After a few minutes Emily sat back and opened up one of her books. They weren't supposed to be out on the water, his mum hated the water, and Mr. Darcy complained about any noise he made, but he didn't really care, he loved it.

Bored, he took a piece of paper from Emily's bag and made a paper airplane, once satisfied with all the folds and flaps he threw it into the air. It twirled around and then hovered dangerously near the edge.

“Emily! My plane!”

Startled, she leaped up, her book went flying.

“No!” shouted Emily jumping after the book, and over the edge.

“Emily!”

Caleb moved her to grab her, but his fingers just brushed her jacket. She went into the water with a splash. She emerged out of the water a few moments later, gasping for air.

“We must get her out of the water quick!” shouted Mr. Darcy.

Mr. Darcy reached down for Emily's hand. Caleb spotted something big moving in the water. Then Emily screamed and got pulled back into the water just as Mr. Darcy got a hold of her hand. Mr. Darcy almost followed her in.

Caleb reached down to help. “Hold on Emily!”

She seemed to be in too much pain to answer. They yanked back and forth a few times, but the beast would not let go. The beast's movements were getting more and more savage until they were all pulled off the boat. Caleb let go in the confusion. Luckily he had learned to swim the year before. He made his way to the surface and caught a hold of the side of the boat.

Mr. Darcy was just going back in, he seemed to have a knife in his hand and he was going after the beast and Emily. Caleb pulled himself into the boat and went to the controls. Luckily it started again at one turn. Breathing heavily he waited until he spotted movement in the water.

He eased the boat in closer, the controls not much different to video games he had played. After what seemed like ages Emily and then moments later Mr. Darcy burst up to the surface.

Caleb helped them on board. Emily's legs were bleeding badly and Mr. Darcy's had a nasty cut to his head.

“I'm so happy you're safe!” he said rushing over and giving Emily a hug.

“Me too,” she said between sobs.

“Get us to the shore Caleb! Fast!”

Caleb did as he was told. Phoning the emergency services from his cellphone as he guided the boat. Even though he was so scared, his mind was clear and he was going to do what he had to do to make sure both of them were okay.

Fortieth Friday Flash: Nessie

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Caleb brushed his teeth vigorously, he wanted to get rid of his stupid spicy sausage breath. He loved his mum's cooking, but it played havoc on his personal hygiene.

The doorbell rang.

“I'll get it!” he shouted and ran down the stairs. He pulled his clothes straight and flattened his hair before snatching the door open. He smiled, it was Emily, she was all eyes and raven black hair.

Without saying a word Emily reached out and wiped away the toothpaste from his chin.

Blushing, he looked down.

His toothbrush was snatched from his hand. Caleb span around, it was his mum.

“Have him back by 6pm.”

“Mom! I'm 9 years old! Can't I stay out longer?”

“No, it's going to get dark early, and I'm sure your nanny needs to study for her exams.”

“Yes, I do,” said Emily

Emily took his hand and they strolled down the hill towards the lake. He enjoyed spending time with her, all his friends thought girls were icky, but Emily was different, she was a woman.

“Emily?”

“Yes?”

“One day when I'm older and rich with money coming out of my ears, will you, um, will you marry me?”

She laughed. He would say anything to make her laugh. “You're a sweet kid, you should enjoy your youth, you don't want to shackle yourself too early on.”

“Nah, being young sucks, always people telling you what to do.”

She ruffled his hair. “Believe me kid, things don't change.”

“It will be different for me.”

“Maybe so, but come along, Mr. Darcy will be waiting.”

Sure enough the old man shouted at them as soon as he spotted them. “Come on, come on! Nessie will eat all the fish if we don't hurry!”

Several minutes later they were out on the water, Caleb and Emily looking out onto the water while Mr. Darcy set up his fishing rods.

After a few minutes Emily sat back and opened up one of her books. They weren't supposed to be out on the water, his mum hated the water, and Mr. Darcy complained about any noise he made, but he didn't really care, he loved it.

Bored, he took a piece of paper from Emily's bag and made a paper airplane, once satisfied with all the folds and flaps he threw it into the air. It twirled around and then hovered dangerously near the edge.

“Emily! My plane!”

Startled, she leaped up, her book went flying.

“No!” shouted Emily jumping after the book, and over the edge.

“Emily!”

Caleb moved her to grab her, but his fingers just brushed her jacket. She went into the water with a splash. She emerged out of the water a few moments later, gasping for air.

“We must get her out of the water quick!” shouted Mr. Darcy.

Mr. Darcy reached down for Emily's hand. Caleb spotted something big moving in the water. Then Emily screamed, and disappeared into the water. Her large eyes quivering in horror, eyes Caleb would never forget.

“I must save her!”

“I'm sorry lad,” said Mr. Darcy holding him back. “No one can help her now.”

Caleb fell to the floor of the boat, and clutched the side, his arms trembling in shock. His paper plane floated past.

Thirty Ninth Friday Flash: The Travel Agent

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He was itching to go somewhere, anywhere away from his humdrum life, somewhere with colour and life. Most of all he wanted to get away from his boss and family, who never seemed to give him a break. They always had some demand or other, that was when he spotted an “Anytime, Any Place” travel agent sign. The sign looked old and peeling, but it was still more appealing than the razzle-dazzle travel agent next door. He went up the stairs to the small offices. An old woman in a tie dye t-shirt and flowery dress greeted him from behind her desk. The walls were plastered with travel memorabilia from around the world.

She smiled and rubbed her hands together. “Tea?”

“Oh, yes please!”

The lady prepared the tea.

“That's a Sylvanian tea strainer isn't it?”

“Yes, very good eye, I collect them.”

“I collect a few myself.”

“Excellent, milk?”

“Just a spot.”

She expertly tipped the pint of milk to deliver the desired amount.

With tea in hand she got down to business. “So I understand you need a break?”

“I would love one.”

“Anything in mind?”

“Somewhere where I can do my my own thing,” Joe replied sipping his tea.

“Somewhere where you can feel like somebody?”

“Yes!”

“Then I have the perfect place for you.”

“Tell me more.”

“I will do better, I will show you.”

He put down his half finished tea and followed her to a door behind her desk, a very plain door that had a pentagram carved into it.

"What's that symbol for?"

"Oh the previous tenants, they were a bit kooky."

"It must have been a long time ago."

“A very long time ago, but we don't have time to dilly-dally, now close your eyes.”

“That's silly.”

“It won't work If you don't.”

He shrugged and closed his eyes. She took his hand and they took a step forward through the door, there was a lot of rushing wind sounds.

“Do not open your eyes!”

He scrunched his eyes up tighter. A few moments later he could smell and hear horses.

“Go on, open them.”

He was in a carriage, a grand and ornate carriage. “Where are we?”

“Godollo, Hungary, you're on your way to your palace.”

“My palace?”

“Yes, indeed. There are some drawbacks though.”

His stomach dropped. “Yes? It's all a dream isn't it? You drugged my tea?”

“No, no, very much real,” she replied with a laugh. A very deep laugh that made Joe drawback a little.

“You're now the eighteen year old Empress Elizabeth, and will suffer a tragic death.”

He looked down, his arms were milky and delicate and he was wearing a golden dress. “When?”

“Many years from now.”

Elizabeth smiled. “It doesn't seem bad to me.”

“It doesn't, but once you're done you will be my servant forever.”

“Not burn in hell?”

“Nah, that's just a myth, but believe me it's no vacation.”

She shrugged, “I can live with that, but say what happened to the previous Elizabeth? Not hurt or anything I hope?”

“Oh, not at all, she will be back any second now to take back control of her body.”

“No! You can't!”

Joe felt helpless and horrified as he lost control, he could feel every sense, but not control any of them.”

The old woman smiled wickedly. “Enjoy the ride!”

Thirty Eighth Friday Flash: The Classroom

Melvin gripped the steering wheel hard, he felt like a fool. Maybe it was all in his head? Maybe she didn't like him at all?

He looked out the window, it was threatening to rain. He grabbed the gifts from the passenger seat and dashed from the car, holding them tightly to his chest. If he remembered correctly she normally stayed after school to clean up. Trembling at the door he knocked.

“Come in!”

There were a few kids at their desks. She looked up.

She sighed. “Oh Melvin! Again?”

“I brought this for you.” He placed a gift box and an envelope in front of her.

One of the kids sniggered.

“Thanks lovely, but it was 30 years ago, we were young, things have changed.”

“But we can recapture it, I know we can.”

She got up and gently placed the items into his hands. “So, how did you escape this time?”

“I locked the nurse in the bathroom,” he said scuffing his slippers on the floor.

“Class dismissed!”

“Yay!” shouted the kids, they snatched up their things and I ran out.

She took his hand, “Come, I'll take you home.”

Thirty Seventh Friday Flash: The Bathroom

Lucy waddled into the bathroom with a mug of coffee in her hand, her pink fluffy slippers slapping on the floor. She placed it down next to her husband's DIY handbook.

“Much luck?”

“Still leaking, pass me the spanner.”

“Yes, dear.” She leaned down, her dressing gown getting a little wet.

“Don't dear me, if you didn't spend all our money on those stupid shoes we could have had that new bathroom fitted like we had planned.”

“They were on sale, besides I earn more than you and you know it.”

Her husband grunted something and mumbled under his breath.

“What did you say?” Her hands shaking, she was so sick of all the fighting.

“I said you're just as useless as your mother.”

Lucy kicked the steaming mug of coffee over.

“Ah!” There was a dull thud. Her husband's legs twitched, then there was utter silence.

Blood mixed with the spilled coffee, with trembling hands she checked for a pulse. There was none. She plopped down on the wet floor, quietly sobbing.

Would they believe it was an accident? Would they let her wear her new shoes in prison?

Thirty-Sixth Friday Flash - The Station

Advil was sure everyone thought she was strange searching every inch of the floor with a magnifying glass. She doubled checked her watch, yes it was the right time and date. The eye strain was giving her a headache, popping a few pills, she downed them with some water. Holding the water bottle to her forehead to cool herself down she spotted something. Passing the water bottle to her assistant Tom she grabbed the magnifying glass and had a closer look.

It was a little red spot. Maybe the prophecies were true? Maybe her research wasn't for nothing?

”This is it Tom!” She swapped the magnifying glass for a pick axe. Tom backed away. Widening her stance she took a swing at the red spot, smashing a few tiles with the first blow.

Everyone turned around and stared.

Advil swung again, some of the tile came away and the red spot grew bigger.

A security guard approached.

“Keep him back Tom!”

Tom pulled out a badge. “Halt! This is a vital FBI mission, stay back.”

“Pull the other one pal, I saw you rock up in a rust bucket, you're just a bunch of crazy kooks,” replied the security guard hotly.

“So says the rent-a-cop.”

“Why you!”

But the confrontation was cut off by gasps. The red and smelly stuff was gushing from the hole. People screamed and ran away. Advil was covered head to toe with the stuff.

“What is it?” asked a finely dressed old man.

Advil laughed. “The red one, he is coming!”

“You're wrong, I'm already here.”

The old man snapped his fingers. The gooey red stuff burst into flames.

There was a loud bang. “No dreaming in class!”

Advil sat up to attention and wiped the drool from her mouth. She had to stop watching those late night horror movies.

** My fantasy novel Zoolin Vale is currently free for Kindle (weekend only) US http://amzn.to/goblinff UK http://amzn.to/goblinff

Thirty-Third Friday Flash - Raptor

They couldn't get in could they? Not through the solid door, surely? The door shook under another impact. Andy gripped the pick a little harder.

Why did he have to follow the gold rush? He was doing just fine back home, but no he had to let the gold lust get the better of him.

The commotion outside grew louder. They could sense him and they wanted to come in. How much of the rest of camp had been eaten already?

His whole mining shack was shaking under the bombardment, his pots, pans and utensils clanging together. He put his hands over his ears for a few seconds and took a deep breath. A bit calmer, he looked up, there was some morning light shining through his ill repaired roof. Pulling a stool closer he ripped away the roof tiles and made the hole bigger.

The door gave out and two raptors burst into the room. Freezing for a second he stared at the two beasts, their beady eyes were full of hunger, hunger for flesh.

He snatched his nearby satchel and tossed it up through the hole, a moment later he jumped up and scrambled through the hole, but he wasn't fast enough, one of the raptors had caught his ankle.

Andy screamed out in pain, the raptor yanked down hard, trying to pull him back through the hole.

Flailing his arms he grabbed the metal chimney, he held on for his life and kicked away with his free leg. Just when he thought the raptor was going to chew he foot off he managed to kick his way free. He tried not look at his shredded foot, biting back the pain he pulled himself further away from the hole. Before he could even catch his breath the roof began to tremble, the ravenous creatures jumping up at the ceiling.

The sun was just peeking over the hills, blanketing the valley in a golden light, any other day it would have been beautiful, now it was just mocking him. If only Jeb hadn't blasted his way through the rockfall and into the next valley.

Andy slowly made his way to the edge of the roof. He could see Jeb's favourite red hat, it lay a few feet away from his almost totally stripped carcase. Barely keeping down his supper he looked away.

It wasn't the way he wanted to go. Feeling weak from the pain and loss of blood he snatched his satchel and pulled out the bundle of dynamite. Before he could think himself out of it he lit the fuse. Waiting a few seconds, he cursed and rolled off the edge and landed in the midst of the creatures. Like pigs at dinner time they pounced on him.

“Chew on this you filthy varmints!”

Thirtieth Friday Flash: Roxy the T-Rex

Image Source

Calvin was one of the very few to have kept his Genopet, sure she ate a lot and didn't clean up after herself like the Robopets did, but she made up for it in companionship and loyalty. In addition for a four foot something T-Rex she was very cute. Not puppy dog cute, but close enough.

It had been a hard day at school and Calvin was enjoying the walk through the park with Roxy until Marybell the showed up. He didn't mind her too much, he just didn't like how negative and confrontational she always was. She made a beeline towards them.

“It's Cally and Roxy,” she pointed at Roxy. “You're so last cycle, how can you even look at yourself in the digimirror?”

Roxy scraped the ground with her clawed foot and snorted.

Calvin leaned over and hugged Roxy around the neck. “Don't listen to her Roxy, she doesn't know what she is talking about.”

Marybell scowled, her emotive clothing flaring red. It was the latest trend, matching the wearer's emotions Marybell's was often red.

“I so do know what I am talking about. I learned how filthy they are during my morning download.”

“I don't know how you can let them tamper with your brain like that. Six hours of learning crammed into half an hour is just not right. Plus they are way biased towards the Big Five. I wouldn't be surprised if half of it is brainwashing you into buying their junk.”

“You shut up! I am way smarter than you and you know it, but anyway that is not the point. Roxy is a polluter!”

“All lies, Roxy is very environmentally friendly, we use her waste as compost.”

“Ew! That's disgusting.”

“They also spread disease.”

“More propaganda, the Big Five just want more people to buy their inhuman Robopets.”

“Poppycock!” Marybell folded her arms. Her jumpsuit flaming an even brighter red. “It does everything for me, look!”

The bright orange humanoid robot stood beside her holding up a parasol.

Roxy nuzzled his neck and Calvin giggled. “What about friendship? It doesn't seem to care very much at all.”

“Huh!” She turned to her robot servant. “That is where you are wrong. XP7, are you my friend?”

“Yes, it is part of my duties.”

Calvin shivered. “His voice is so real. Doesn't it freak you out a bit?”

“Not at all, are you technophobe or something?”

“No,” said Calvin. “Without technology I wouldn't have my Roxy.”

“You're so annoying!”

Calvin turned to the robot. “What is Mary's favourite colour?”

“I do not have access to such information.”

“Her favourite food?”

“Irrelevant.”

“Her favourite thing to do?”

“Irrelevant.”

“Hey! Stop it,” said Marybell. “I don't need a friend anyway, it is just here to do what I tell it to do.”

XP7 turned to Marybell sharply. “I am not your slave,” stated the machine firmly.

“Yes you are, you piece of junk!” Marybell hit the machine with her handbag.

Calvin laughed.

“Violence towards the XP7 is prohibited.”

“Do you think that will stop me!” shouted Marybell hitting the Robopet again, this time a little harder.

Faster than any of them could follow XP7 grabbed Mary's hand.

“Ow! You're hurting me.”

Roxy growled and her nostrils flared.

“Let me go,” whined Marybell, her face almost as red as her jumpsuit.

“First you must promise to never hit XP7 again.” XP7 lifted its arm, Marybell had to go on tiptoes to avoid more pain.

“I will do no such thing.”

XP7 pulled Marybell off her feet. She had gone pale, but not as white as her jumpsuit.

“Roxy!”

Roxy shot forward, clamping her jaws around the android’s head as she took it down. XP7 let go of Mary and she rolled to the side.

XP7 resisted, trying to get a hold of Roxy's muscular body, but it was of little use, the miniature dinosaur was just too strong. Roxy's razor sharp teeth making short work of the plastisteel skull. XP7 went limp.

Roxy proceeded to play with the lifeless hunk of metal, throwing it around like a ragdoll.

Cavlin helped Marybell to her feet.

“Thank you,” she said, not looking at him in the eye. The colour of her jumpsuit turning to a calm and neutral blue.

“No problem, it will teach you to take better care of your things

Marybell pulled away. “You owe me a new one, you know.”

“You honestly want another one of those things?”

“No, no, I guess not.”

“You're far too angry for someone your age.” Calvin sat down on a nearby bench and watched Roxy play catch with the robot's now detached head.

Marybell looked down. “I can be, it's just so lonely you know, my parents are always working, and I don't have much friends.”

“You need to go to proper school like me.”

“But isn't that boring?”

“Sometimes, but the teachers make it fun.”

Marybell sat down next to him. “I will talk to my parents. Maybe if I sell some of my stuff we can afford it.”

“That will be great.”

She smiled, it was the first time Calvin had ever seen her do so.

“And can you see if you can find me a friend like Roxy?”

“Sure can, I know someone that has a cute polar bear. Will be perfect for you.”

“Can't wait!”

Calvin got up and joined Roxy in playing with XP7's head. Marybell soon did the same, laughing as she did so.

Twenty-Ninth Friday Flash: Mermaid Tale

John was feeling down. He just got another contract to work out on an oil rig for a few months. The pay was good, and he appreciated the work, it was just that it got so lonely being surrounded by so many guys. Wanting to drown his sorrows before leaving the next day he went to Rusty Steve's to knock back a few.

The place seemed remarkably busy for a change, but he was still able to find a nice quiet spot near the kitchen. Ordering his usual John nursed his beer and tried to think of as little as possible.

There was some sports game on and everyone was paying attention to the big screen, even the bartender had to be snapped out of it from time to time.

John was just about to start his next beer when he heard some water sploshing sounds, it sounded like someone moving around in an overfill bath. The sound was coming from the kitchen. John looked over at the crowd, most of the kitchen staff seemed to be watching the game, maybe someone had left a tap on, with nothing better to do John went over to investigate.

The kitchen was brightly lit, but in desperate need of a clean. John told himself to stick to beer if he ever went back there again. The sloshing sound seemed to be coming from a side storage room. Taking another swig from his beer John pulled back a dirty looking curtain that separated the two rooms. It was dark inside. He felt around and found a pull string switch.

John yanked it.

Overhead lights burst into life. There was a massive glass tank in front of him, what was inside thrashed around crazily. John couldn't believe his eyes. It was a mermaid, a real life Ariel. She had a large pearly-pink tale, and scales that steadily got lighter and smaller as they reached the top of her body, but that's where the beauty stopped, her face was haggard and weather beaten, the skin of her upper body wrinkled like a prune, her eyes red, and her teeth sharp and yellow. The creature hadn't been thrashing because it was scared of him, it was thrashing because it wanted to escape. It was tethered to the wall with a chain, a steel collar around its neck.

John made the mistake of looking into its eyes. The mermaid transformed before him into the most beautiful creature he had ever seen, enchanted he walked closer and climbed up the steps that were next to the tank. The vision of beauty's arms were beckoning him closer. Grabbing a hold of the thick glass he leaped in. The freezing cold water brought him to his senses, but it was too late, the evil Ariel had him around the neck.

John struggled and kicked, whacking the glass with his steel cap boot. It began to crack, but it would do him little good, the darkness was already engulfing him.

The tank burst, the mermaid and John's lifeless body flowing onto the tiled floor.

The chef ran in. “Damn it, Steve!” shouted the man. “It's just killed another.”

Pulling the chain to its limit the mermaid scrambled forward, clawing away towards the doorway. The chef got out a broom and kept it back. “And bring the tranquillizer gun will you!”

Twenty-Eighth Friday Flash: Clockwork Deputy

(Image Source)

Tobias panted. His clockwork opponent stood opposite him. It was strong, nimble and didn't get tired. It stood there with its baton and its revolver waiting for him to make a move. Tobias gripped his axe a little tighter. He had to stop it. His family was behind him locked up in their house, the house the sheriff had repossessed because their crops had failed and they couldn't pay their tithe, but there was no way Tobias was going down without a fight. The farm had been in his family for generations.

“Come on you rust bucket!”

“Tobias! We must go, it will kill us all,” said his wife from the front door, a large frying pan in her hand.

The clockwork deputy advanced. “You will surrender your property,” stated the mechanical voice.

“I will do no such thing, you demon.”

“He's so cool,” said Timmy pulling himself up and peering over the half door.

“Get back inside Timmy!”

“Just give in Toby, we can go move in with my mother...”

“Are you insane?” Tobias lost it, he lobbed his axe at the tin man. It missed. Screaming in rage Tobias ran and tackled the clockwork man. The deputy staggered a few paces back, but he did not lose his balance.

The man of the law took Tobias by the throat and lifted him off the ground.

“Please, please don't hurt him!” said the farmer's wife coming out and pleading.

The deputy dropped him, Tobias clutched his throat choking.

“You have ten minutes to vacate the property, all trespassers will be eliminated.”

“No!” croaked Tobias.

There was a loud clang. Tobias fell to the floor. “He's very stubborn,” said the farmer's wife shaking her head. “Come on Timmy help me get your dad into the wagon, we're going to visit grandma.”

“Yay grandma!”

Twenty-Seventh Friday Flash: Fight For Your Right

There was a protest march going on outside the court house. Putting on his special goggles so he could see his interviewee properly the reporter went over to meet one of the protestors.

“Good day, Mr. Johnson.”

Mr. Johnson nodded and smiled. “Good day.”

“Can you please tell us a bit more about your cause?”

“Well, we're sick and tired of being marginalized, we have just as much right as everyone else.”

“Many see your efforts as frivolous, that it doesn't really matter?”

“Bah humbug to them,” said Mr. Johnson blowing a raspberry. “The way I see it they're lucky to have us, society has taken a nose dive , and I believe that myself and the members of our party have what it takes to pull this country and maybe the world straight.”

“No one can deny that you have a lot of experience in this field, what do you hope to achieve today?”

“The right to take part in the presidential election of course. We're have to aim high if we are going to make any changes.”

Slogan filled placards danced behind Mr. Johnson, ranging from the bitter to the jovial: “I can't believe I'm not getting any royalties from Teddy Bears.” “Presidents need free cosmetic dentistry too.” “Give us the reins!” "You don't get more transparent than us!" and “I can has president?”

“A lofty goal indeed,” said the reporter. “And I understand you will be voting for a party leader tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“There are quite a few contenders for the spot?”

“Yes, Washington, Roosevelt and so on, too many horses if you ask me.”

“Who will you be backing?”

“Abe come here!”

A tall man in a black suit and top hat came over. He was carrying a placard that read: “I can has President?”

“How can you say no to this face?”

Abe Lincoln smiled. “I like the YouTube.”

“He's very umm... excitable?”

“Don't let his LOLcat addiction fool you, he can be a very serious man when he needs to be.”

“So there you have it folks, the Ghost Party, a gimmick or do they really have a shot at the presidency?”

* I wrote this earlier today so please point out any errors you might spot.
** If you liked this fantasy/reality blend you might also like these stories The Rainbow Effect Goblin Gobbling Frankie Goes To Tripoli

Twenty-Sixth Friday Flash: Trick or Treat

Tom sat on his couch eating popcorn and watching a movie. He hadn’t felt so relaxed in ages.

The doorbell rang.

“Tom can you get it!” shouted his wife from the kitchen.

“Okay!” replied Tom.

Tom slouched over to the door and swung it open.

“Trick or treat!” shouted a chorus of little horrors.

“Ah!” screamed Tom. He had to get rid of them before they decided to come inside.

Doing his best to not look at them he reached for the prepared bowl of candy and chucked the contents outside. He slammed the door and leaned against it. The scattershot should keep them busy for a while.

His wife came into the hallway drying her hands with a kitchen towel. “Trick or treaters?”

“Yeah, they were gruesome, a nurse, a schoolboy, a plumber and a pilot. There was even an angry villager with a burning torch and pitch fork, can you believe that?”

His wife laughed, her fangs shining in the artificial light. “You’re such a wussy, they’re just kids. And besides have you looked in the mirror lately?”

Tom turned to the mirror. The stiches across his head were all in order and he was just the right shade of greenish grey. He stroked the stubble on his chin. "You’re right honey, I do need a shave.”

Twenty-Fifth Friday Flash: The Red Carpet

(Image source)

Morsai exited her limo. Flashing lights exploded all around her. Her chauffeur and bodyguard Gerald helped her to her feet. She felt nervous and excited. All these people were there to see her on her big night, the première of her first movie “Dying on the inside”, a biopic about her rise from banishment from her people to stardom in the human world.

“What does it feel like to be the first elf to star in a major movie?” shouted one of the reporters over the din.

“Great, thank you.” But her voice was soft and she doubted if anyone heard.

The police were having a hard time keeping everyone off the red carpet. Even though it had been fifteen years since her banishment she still felt awkward around so many humans.

When they were about halfway up to the theater a lot of loud shouting broke out. Gerald took her arm and pulled her faster towards the theater, frightened, Morsai looked down and followed as quickly as she could in her tight fitting dress.

She was suddenly jerked back. Gerald was on the floor. A dagger sticking out of his chest.

“No!”

Before she could crouch next to him someone grabbed her forcefully.

“Thought you could get away with this did you? Make fools of our people?”

There was no mistaking his voice. “Husband?”

“Shut up traitor. You abandoned us. Our family. Everyone.”

The police had surrounded them, but no one made a move. The tall and black clad elf was holding a knife to Morsai's throat.

“I had no choice. I couldn't live by those ways anymore. It was killing me.”

“It's too late for words.” He brought the knife in closer.

“Please don't!”

A few shots were fired. The elf collapsed. Morsai hugged herself. People came in to comfort her. She pushed them away.

“Fools! Don't you know this means war?”

She looked down at the elf prince. Even though the mad old king had more offspring than he could remember he would not let one of them die unavenged.

Twenty-Fourth Friday Flash: Rat Problem

Image Source

Gabby had a rat problem. Nothing had worked. Giving up, she phoned an exterminator. The doorbell rang as soon as she hung up the phone.

“Mrs Johnson?”

“Yes…” said Gabby frowning.

“I’m Gunther from Little Mountain Exterminators.” The short bearded man and three similar looking men in blue overalls squeezed past her.

Gabby followed them to the kitchen. “That was quick!”

Gunther shrugged. “We were in the area.”

“Boss!” shouted one of the men. “He’s in here!” The dwarf kicked at a kitchen cupboard.

“Get em boys!”

The men snatched little axes from their belts and bashed Gabby’s kitchen to pieces.

Gabby stumbled away from the destruction. “Oh my!”

“It’s the only way.”

A rat scurried away from demolition. Gunther swept it up. “Problem solved.”

“My kitchen!”

Guther handed her a card. It said: “Little Mountain House Repairs.”

Twenty-Third Friday Flash: Bear Necessities

*** This is a follow up to Endless War and Desolation

**** I'm also battling a dreadnought of a cold, so please forgive me for any errors you might pick up in the text. And I wouldn't mind if you pointed them out.

Amy hated being ordered around by Sergeant Whiskers, he was even more obnoxious and bossy than her previous CO. After scavenging what supplies they could find in the almost totally trashed research facility they headed further north. Amy tried to convince Sergeant Whiskers that they should stay and make it their base, but he refused, saying the job was not finished, the enemy was still out there.

They travelled for days. Amy used every spare moment looking for an escape, but it was hopeless, the Kitty Power army did not tolerate deserters, she would become an enemy the instant she left. Sergeant Whiskers would literally hunt her down. But still she hoped. There had to be a way out.

“Stop,” commanded Sergeant Whiskers.

Amy gladly stopped. They had been going all day and she was tired. Whiskers insisted she use her power suit manually, saying they had to be alert at all times.

Amy looked all around her. They were in an abandoned and almost completely destroyed town. They had seen no sign of human life since they left the research facility. It was most probably some starved creature looking through the trash for some food. And it wasn't too far from the truth.

A bear leaped out from behind a building and connected with Sergeant Whiskers before he could get a shot off. The bear was strong, but it was no match for Sergeant Whiskers and his armoured suit. The Sergeant shoved the bear away. It stumbled, and fell backwards.

“Don't hurt it!”

"You stay out of this Private Purkins!"

Sergeant proceeded to push the bear around. Amy was having none of it, she moved swiftly in, and whacked Whiskers solidly with the butt of her rifle. He went down like a log.

The bear moved in on Amy, growling. “Shh Shh... calm down, I won't hurt you.”

Fearing she might be crazy she grabbed a honey energy bar from her dwindling supplies, unwrapped it, and extended her hand slowly towards the bear.

It stopped and sniffed the air. Amy's hand trembled. The bear licked up the treat.

“Ew! Sticky.”

Amy contemplated taking out the sergeant then and there, but she couldn't bring herself to it. She wouldn't be able to sleep at night, but she did strip him of his rifle, and any other weapons. Even taking the batteries from his suit. Hopefully he wouldn't wake up.

The bear followed her as she left the town. Amy didn't try to stop it. She liked the company.

***

Sergeant Whisker's eyes opened.