Flash Fiction Friday 2024 – Week 36

Flash Fiction Friday continues in 2024. New pieces appear every Friday on my Patreon throughout the year. The minimum pledge to read them before anyone else is $3 per month. and the number of pieces available is tied to the monthly pledge total so the more you support my efforts, the more you’ll get to read. Find out what they’re all about and check out some excerpts from this week’s update in this post.

Dreams of a Normal Life

Walter adjusted himself on the cozy sofa, the soft ticking of the antique clock on the mantel the only sound in the room. Dr. Jones leaned forward, her brow furrowed in concern as she listened to Walter recount his dreams.
“I don’t understand what’s happening to me,” the businessman said, frustration evident in his voice. “I feel like I’m living two lives – one when I’m awake and one when I’m asleep. And in these dreams, everything feels so real, so vivid… I wake up exhausted every morning as if I haven’t slept at all.”
The psychiatrist nodded thoughtfully, her golden pen tapping the notepad. “I understand how frustrating that must be, Walter. Tell me about these dreams, Walter. What do you see and do in them? The more details the better, please.”
Walter leaned back, eyes darting to the ceiling. His hands were restless and so was his breathing as if he didn’t want to expose himself.
“I… hmm… they’re kind of personal… and strange.”
“This is a safe space, Walter, and I’ve heard it all over the years, so you’re not going to shock me, no matter what. Also, everything you share with me is protected by doctor-patient privilege. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

(…)

Happen To You

Marla nestled deeper into the comfy velvet armchair, her fingers tracing the worn leather spine of the book in her lap. The parlor’s thick burgundy curtains were drawn against the fading twilight, casting the room in a honeyed glow from the crackling fireplace. Darcy lounged on the chaise across from her, legs elegantly crossed, a knowing smile playing at the corners of her lips.
“Read to me,” Darcy purred, her voice a silken caress that made Marla’s legs shiver.
Marla’s throat felt dry as she opened the heavy tome, the musty scent of aged paper wafting up to tickle her nostrils. The gilded pages shimmered in the firelight as she began to read aloud, her voice faltering at first but growing steadier with each lilting sentence.
As Maria read, the words flowed like honey from her lips. Darcy’s eyes never left her face, those emerald orbs seeming to glow with an otherworldly light in the flickering shadows. The fire crackled and popped, its warmth seeping into Marla’s bones, making her feel languid and dreamy.

It’s Been Too Long

Ainsley took a deep breath as she stepped out of her car, her hands trembling with excitement and nervousness. The big house loomed before her, a majestic Victorian mansion with its tall, narrow windows, intricate carvings, and a grandiose presence that made her feel small and insignificant. She couldn’t believe that this was her new home, a place she could call her own and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
As she walked up the stone steps to the front door, she admired the stained glass windows that adorned the sides. The colors were vibrant and mesmerizing, casting colorful patterns on the floor as the sun shone through them. Ainsley reached out to touch the intricate designs, her fingers tracing the curves and swirls with wonder.
Suddenly, a gust of cold air blew past her, causing her to shiver and pull her coat tighter around her. She looked around, but there was no one in sight. She shook her head, dismissing the chill as nerves from moving to a new place.
Taking a deep breath, Ainsley pushed the front door open and stepped inside. The foyer was just as grand as the exterior, with a sweeping staircase leading up to the second floor, and various doors branching off to different rooms. The air was ripe with the smell of old wood and musty books. The past owner’s library came with the property and included everything from old medieval poetry books to anatomy manuals and treaties on supernatural phenomena. One day, she would go through them to see what to keep and what to give away. One day, but not that day.

(…)

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