About a year ago, these three were accepted for an anthology that disappeared in the wind. The prompt word was FIRE, the constraints to 1. Write a story (beginning + middle + end) and 2. Write the story in exactly 99 words. Creative challenge…I share to show how easy and fun it is, and that it’s a great way to warm up for longer projects. Hope you enjoy!

First Flame

Cora nestles her belly into black granite, stretching to catch the sun’s heat. Her legs scrabble amidst a low sizzle as leathery wings unfurl. A perfect pearl hardens under her curled tongue. She is scarlet, precious, and utterly alone.         

Cora is late born and last hope. On instinct, she snakes her tail around to raise her head. The still-wet shell shards provide her with nutrients.

Surveying the cliff ledges below, she sees no sign of dun-colored nestlings, nor her midnight-hued mother. An armored knight climbs ever upwards. She bugles protest, tiny flame heating her wyvern call.

Distant cries answer.

Nightfire

Her eyes catch the red glow of firelight. Overhead, trees cut star and moon shine, wind sweeping the sky as if a cleaning is needed. She’s fetched water from the nearby stream, interrupting its contemplative chant with her coffee tin.

A handful of grounds, a pinch for the pot, and she brushes her hands over the flames to offer sacrifice to all night deities. The tin swings over on its metal arm, for a slow boil as its contents perfume the air.

“You could just use the Keurig.” His thumb punctures the cabin light behind him.

“Amateur,” she scoffs.

Jingle Tingle

“Come on, baby. Light my fire,” she crooned. Raising an eyebrow, she shut the office door behind them. He jumped at the thunderous click of the lock.

Aw shit. I should’ve been prepared for this.

“The company needs a new spin on their latest line of widgets.” She sashayed to the couch, sat, crossed her long legs, and patted the seat beside her. “C’mon. Amaze me.”

Who spilled the beans? Maybe Oliver, next cubicle over? Asshole!

 He opted to stand and deliver. She looked miffed.

“I’m signing with Mega Music,” he said. “No more jingles for you. You’re fired.”

© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2024)