A Story A Day Challenge 2024 – It’s Time

“You okay, baby?” she asked, running her hand up and down his arm as they remained in bed.

“Yeah,” he said, letting out a sigh. “Just thinking.” He’s had something on his mind the last couple of days and he’d been wondering when it’d be the right time to tell her.

He hated keeping anything from her, especially knowing it made her worry.

After a minute or so, he rolled over and asked, “So, what do you think about starting a family?”

“Really?” Her eyes shone bright. “Why now? Why—”

“I got my promotion and it’ll make you happy.”

A Story A Day Challenge 2024 – For the Greater Good

Logan paused as he watched everyone around him walk too rigid, too perfect. He was sure something was off, but he couldn’t figure out what it was.

This couldn’t be a dream unless he was in a coma as he’d been living this for several weeks.

It couldn’t be his imagination since everyone’s expression remained stoic and they ignored him.

He tried waving his arms and shouting, but he couldn’t move and his voice was barely a groan.

“The VR unit and restraints are working, Doctor.”

“Good. Keep him sedated for further testing.”

Testing? What are they testing me for?

A Story A Day Challenge 2024 – A Moment

“So, have any plans?” Jenna asked, leaning against the wall, watching the clouds slowly pass overheard. It was one of those days.

“Nope. Just chillin’. You?” Rebecca sat on a lower section of the wall to Jenna’s right.

Jenna shrugged. “I guess.”

The non-answer was enough and they continued studying the clouds until a shout caught their attention.

Their younger brother ran up to them. “Hey! You guys hear?”

“Hear what?” they asked in unison.

“School’s closed for the rest of the week. Busted pipes.”

“Great.”

“Yeah, great.”

Their lackadaisical replies done, they turned their attention back to the sky.

A Story A Day Challenge 2024 – Need More

“You remember dad telling us there’d be days like this?” Jake asked.

Zeke nodded. “Yup. Used to say it all the time, especially when one of us brought home a girl.”

“Kinda wish it was that simple, don’t you?”

“Yup, but it wouldn’t be as much fun. You ready?”

Jake nodded and covered his ears as Zeke pressed the button on the detonator.

An explosion rocked the building.

Standing, they made their way to the vault, stepping over the pieces of the nearby desks scattered by the blast.

The vault door remained intact.

“Well shit, that’s not good,” Zeke said.

A Story A Day Challenge 2024 – Should’ve Asked

“Well, that could’ve gone better,” Alex said, stretching his back and rubbing his neck.

“Ya think?” was all his wife said. It was more words than she’d spoken since her parents arrived to find Alex hired catering from a local faux Italian restaurant.

“I thought they’d be grateful. Your mom always cooks huge meals. I wanted her to not worry.”

“Oh, she’s not worried. My dad is.”

“For what?”

“Murder. She was giving you the Evil Eye all night.”

He started to say something but changed direction. “Is it effective?”

“It worked on my ex-husband.”

“I’m your only husband.”

“Exactly.”

A Story A Day Challenge 2024 – It’s That Time

Paul and Jane ducked around the corner of the open doorway into the living room. They exchanged terrified glances from opposite sides of the doorway.

“What’ll we do?” she asked in a harsh whisper.

At a loss, Paul could only shrug and say, “What can we do?”

The reality that it was too late for them to do anything, whether getting out of their house or call for help, sunk in.

They were trapped. They were doomed.

“Maybe she’ll go to a friend’s?” Jane hoped, then the front door opened and they winced.

“Mom, Dad? I’m home. What’s for dinner?”

A Story A Day Challenge 2024 – A Small Setback

“Aw hell, that’s going to leave a mark,” Jackson said, standing over his brother and studying the damage.

“Can you fix it?” Thomas asked from the table.

“Maybe. The problem is the current shorted out some of your modules that control your leg rotors. They’re pricey and last I checked we don’t have the funds.”

“Damn! If it hadn’t been for that security guard…”

“Yeah,” Jackson said, adding, “Being cyborgs are great until someone tazes us.”

Thomas laughed as he sat up and punched his damaged leg. “At least we don’t have a chip in our brains. Imagine that frying.”

A Story A Day Challenge 2024 – Like a Dream

A cloud moved in front of the sun overhead as a gentle wind blew across the meadow, the rustling sound of the grass adding to the bubbling of the nearby stream the ducks played in.

If there was a more perfect moment, Hector never knew of one.

He glanced at his wife, and she was asleep and snuggled against him, snoring quietly and oblivious to the gentle changes in the world around them.

This would be his memory he’d share with her later and they could enjoy it for years to come. For now, he’d let her sleep and dream.

“A Story A Day Challenge 2024 – The Hunted

“Well, lookie here. Looks like I found you.” The man lashed out with his machete at the weeping willow branches that dangled between him and his goal.

The young boy sat huddled at the base of the tree, watching the man with terror in his eyes.

“Don’t you worry none. I’ll get you home safe and sound. Your folks are worried about you.”

The boy watched him, shaking slightly like he fought off something he didn’t like.

“You okay, son? You cold?” The man kneeled in front of him and began removing his coat as the boy’s eyes blazed red.

A Story A Day Challenge 2024 – Not an Ideal Environment

“Do you know what you’re doing?” Vinnie’s right eye started to twitch as he waited for answers.

Blowing out a breath, Jake pushed back from his desk. “No, do you?”

He was close to the breaking point. It seemed like a great idea to work with his best friend, but Vinnie wanted things done yesterday and Jake understood there was a process.

Instead of balancing each other, they were about to explode.

Vinnie stared at him, then without a word he turned and left.

“Guess that means he’s off my back for now?” Jake wondered, then got back to work.