Category Archives: Micro-Stories

Small stories, 100 words or less

The Hermit

January 21, 2023 Tim Sprague Leave a comment

The Hermit
Contemplation, search for truth, inner guidance

The monk sits on the hard stone floor, feeling the cool mountain air flow across his skin as he slowly inhales and exhales. For years he has sought personal enlightenment, to be at one with himself, and here in this moment he is closer than he has ever been. His emotions have often been at war within him. To find his true self, to know who he truly was, would be a blessing beyond any other that he had been granted.

He opens his eyes. He knows. He is the darkness, and all shall be consumed.

Micro-Stories

The Lovers

January 20, 2023 Tim Sprague Leave a comment

The Lovers
Partnerships, duality, union

The twins walk down the stairs as they hold each other’s hands. The boy tells his sister a silly story as they descend from the second floor. She smiles and giggles before asking for him to tell her another one. At first he hems and haws in jest before giving in and creating another story on the spot to keep her amused.

As they go down the stairs, they leave red footprints on the white carpet. It’s unfortunate that they got their shoes messy, but it could have been worse. Their parents’ blood could have gotten on their nice clothing.

Micro-Stories

The Chariot

January 19, 2023 Tim Sprague Leave a comment

The Chariot
Direction, control, willpower

The man approaches the side of the road. He stops at the metal barrier separating the woods from the busy highway. The section of road that he’s near is on a curve, and with the heavy forest the oncoming cars can’t see anything on this part of the street until they’re right on top of it.

He looks back at the woman standing just inside the trees. He silently begs her stop making him do this.

She shakes her head. Tears streaming from his eyes, he steps out onto the road as he hears the truck coming around the curve.

Micro-Stories

Strength

January 18, 2023 Tim Sprague Leave a comment

Strength
Inner strength, bravery, compassion, focus

The brave warrior stands against the angry mob, his hands clenched around the handle of his sword. He is greatly outnumbered. If he were a lesser man he would be doomed. He calls upon all of his courage and skill. His muscles cry out in exhaustion, but he forces himself to continue. To yield means death.

Finally, the last of his would-be assassins falls to his sword. The warrior puts its tip into the ground and takes a moment to rest. He smiles broadly. Now that the defenders are dead, he will have the pleasure of cutting down the innocent.

Micro-Stories

The Star

January 17, 2023 Tim Sprague Leave a comment

The Star
Hope, faith, rejuvenation

The woman in the black dress watches as the body is dragged to the edge of the pit. The hooded person raises the corpse and places it onto one of the many hooks hanging over the crater. The figure cuts open the body so that blood flows freely from it before pushing the hook out further over the pit.

Dozens of carcasses are suspended from the hooks and chains, their ichor dripping into a pond of blood. The woman disrobes and steps into the pool. Her offering is good, and her god will make her young once again.

Micro-Stories

The High Priestess

January 16, 2023 Tim Sprague Leave a comment

The High Priestess
Intuitive, unconscious, inner voice

The words whisper through the woman’s head as she gets out of bed. She’s been hearing the voice for weeks, but it’s never been this clear before. It beckons to her, leading her out of her room and down the stairs.

She opens the front door. The yard is bathed in soft blue light. She knows that she should be scared, but the voice tells her that everything is fine and as it should be. She smiles calmly, and that smile stays on her face even as the giant tentacle reaches down from the sky and wraps around her body.

Micro-Stories

The Emperor

January 15, 2023 Tim Sprague Leave a comment

The Emperor
Authority, structure, control, fatherhood

The line moves slowly. Each person steps forward at the same time in lockstep, calm and expressionless as they take part in the procession. They come from all walks of life, each with a different background and personal story to tell. Some are among the wealthiest in the world, while others live in poverty. All races, sexes, and creeds are represented. At this moment, in this line, all are equal.

The great beast’s maw is open, and it consumes each person as they step inside. All humans are equal, and all taste the same.

Micro-Stories

Death

January 14, 2023 Tim Sprague Leave a comment

Death
End of cycle, beginnings, change, metamorphosis

The man stands in the middle of the forest clearing, his face turned up towards the silent cold moon. It shines down on him with its white light, full and large amongst the stars. That light fills him, and he feels it burning away the shadows inside of him. The release is incredible. He falls to his knees in joy, tears of gratitude streaming down his face. He barely notices the pain as his back begins to split open.

A man, frail and sickly, had entered the clearing. A wolf, powerful and healthy, leaves it.

Micro-Stories

The Hierophant

January 13, 2023 Tim Sprague Leave a comment

The Hierophant
Tradition, conformity, morality, ethics

The grandfather pulls the needle through the cloth as he finishes the stitch. With a smile of encouragement, he hands the material over to his grandson. The boy is clearly nervous, but he squares his shoulders and slowly pushes the sharp point into the cloth. His first stitch is a bit uneven. Each one he makes is better than the last, though, and soon he has successfully completed the first section of the robe.

The grandfather sits back and watches with pride. Tonight, when they go door-to-door to perform their parts in the culling, the boy will look perfect.

Micro-Stories

The Magician

January 12, 2023 Tim Sprague Leave a comment

The Magician
Willpower, desire, creation, manifestation

The last of the blood drains from the corpse’s throat into the small wooden bowl. The man picks it up and retrieves a brush from the table. Being careful not to spill any of the ichor, he slowly paints a complicated symbol on the cold stone floor. When he finishes, he places an intricately-carved puppet into the circle and proceeds to draw the same symbol on the puppet’s head.

The man lights a candle and chants slowly, speaking words both ancient and forbidden. There is a cracking noise, and the puppet begins to scream.