I’m back at it again, this time with the NYC Midnight Microfiction contest. Writers have 24 hours to write a 250 word story in a specified genre, with a specific action and word used in the story. I entered back in October and winners were announced last night. My story won second place in my group, so I get to advance to the next round, whoo! If you’ve subscribed to my newsletter, you’ve already gotten a sneak peek at my entry, but if not, here it is. The parameters were fantasy for the genre, eating an oyster as the action, and the word flight.
Check out my other entries that earned me a place in the NYC Midnight Short Story Contest last year.
A Stool’s Wish
Juice dribbled down Lina’s cheeks as oyster shells rained down from above. The Queen slurped and kicked her heels in delight, digging into Lina’s back. Lina steadied herself beneath the grand dining table and withheld a grunt.
“Lina, these are heavenly!” The Queen prattled on, but Lina remained mute. As the Queen’s stool, her job was to be steady and quiet. Her place was not above, but beneath.
She knew the ground well, for the Queen used her often. The windows stood tall. The Queen’s legs were short. The acrid scents of waste and dust that passersby left behind all too familiar.
The dust of a stranger had flown in the night before. A merchant selling fairy tales and oysters. “Find a pearl, make a wish.” His stories had delighted the Queen, and she’d bought every oyster the man carried. By Lina’s estimation, she’d eaten nearly every oyster, too.
The Queen burped, then took her leave, having had her fill. Lina’s stomach growled. Fingers shaking, she licked each discarded shell clean.
She stood and stared at the oyster on the Queen’s plate. Untouched. Forbidden. Like the tall windows and the sky beyond them, she knew it was above her. But what if she dared to believe it wasn’t?
The oyster slipped through her lips. Her tongue met something round. Though it seemed foolish, she whispered a wish. Soft feathers sprang from her fingertips, and her heart soared. Lina spread her wings and took flight. Past the window. Beyond the sky.
Liked the story it was interesting .