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Friday, May 20, 2016

ORIGINAL FICTION: It Was Her

I met a man made of smoke today.


I decided to try something new: writing an entire story in a single paragraph.

Because, you know, writing a story at regular length isn't hard enough. And besides, who has time for all that reading? We all have stuff to do. ;)

Anyway, here it is. Hope you enjoy!






It Was Her
by JC Hemphill


I met a man made of smoke today. He had no lips for smiling, no eyes for seeing, no ears for hearing. He billowed and breathed and carried a case containing many items for sale. Inside were potions next to promises written in ink; rarities that shimmered alongside devices of great carnage; a history of forgotten treasures and treasures from forgotten histories. With a wave of his smoky hand, he said, "Take your pick, son, and please be quick." When I reached for something bright, it bled through my fingers and vanished. "Sorry, son, all outta that one. Try again, and please be quick." I reached toward the case, my hand hovering over gems, then an hourglass full of sand, until I fell upon a photograph I hadn't yet noticed. It was her, it was me, it was what I needed. It was her. I grabbed, expecting nothing but finding everything. She materialized beside me, a specter no more. In a flash, the man made of smoke closed his case and drifted away, leaving her, taking me, a photograph for sale.


END