affectandeffect.com/tales | and accounts
one-hundred-fifty-one-word story
The afternoon sun shone through the attic window, illuminating dust that had been stirred. Cameron pulled a box down from one of the many stacks and opened it. “Looks like photos,” he said. Tucked in a corner, Jake ignored the comment and continued to refold piles of clothing. “Jake?” “We don’t have time,” he replied, [...]
one-hundred-fifty-word story
Bronwyn slid the list towards Isaak. “I can’t think of anyone else,” she told him. “Me neither,” he replied. “You won the coin toss. Go first.” Isaak ran his finger down the list, stopped at a name, and crossed it off. “Jonathan,” he said, and then put his own initials beside the name. “Anjali,” she [...]
one-hundred-forty-nine-word story
You never forget the first time you get punched in the face. Maybe it’s different for those kids who got into fights all the time. For the rest of us, the first imprint of a fist on your skull never goes away. Everyone on the playground sizes each other up. I knew I could take [...]
one-hundred-forty-eight-word story
“You’re dreaming,” a voice said. Anton felt the eyes of forest creatures on him, yet he knew the wizened voice had come from above. He stared at the lonely Moon hovering in the sky. “Why am I here?”, Anton asked aloud. “For the same reason that always brings you here,” said a deer that had [...]
one-hundred-forty-seven-word story
“Bach, Mozart, and Wagner,” said Roland. “Excuse me?”, said Malcolm, seeming a little incredulous. “Bach, Mozart, and–” “There! You did it again!” Malcolm stood up and began pacing around the restaurant table. “What on Earth are you talking about?”, Roland asked. “Well, setting aside your pedestrian musical taste…” Roland rolled his eyes dramatically as Malcolm [...]
one-hundred-forty-six-word story
Pierre typed into the chat window. r u there? u gotta see this He pasted a YouTube link. Minutes later, Francis typed his response. yo. that’s messed up. Pierre sent a link to a video depicting protesters singing followed by riot police pounding on their shields and seizing seated protesters. Francis kicked his desk. complete [...]
one-hundred-forty-five-word story
Heidi sped down the nearly deserted street on her bicycle. The ominous security fence, a few blocks away, still seemed imposing. She spotted the newly installed CCTV cameras and shuddered. A police officer motioned for her to stop. He said they needed to do a security check. As one officer searched her backpack, another asked, [...]
one-hundred-forty-four-word story
“Slow down,” said Gabe. “Don’t look like you’re in a hurry.” “What?”, Otto quizzed. “Up ahead. Checkpoint.” “So what? We bought beer. Big deal.” “Just slow down.” Otto shoved his hands into his pockets. “Sure.” Gabe clasped his hands in front and they continued silence. “We need to ask you a few questions,” boomed one [...]
one-hundred-forty-three-word story
“Thanks for bringing Charmagne,” said Sandra. “Kyle has been so bored. And I’m just happy to have an excuse to turn off the news.” Charmagne ran off to join Kyle. “It’s so terrible,” replied Odette. “Who’d want to be there?” “I’m happy to be far away from downtown. Tea?” “Hey kids, settle down in there,” [...]
one-hundred-forty-two-word story
He rifled through the rack. Some of the items were plain. Others were hideous. None came close to what he was searching for. He left the store and continued along. It was a hunch that brought him to the mall, the mall that triggered a memory, and yet another hunch that brought him from store, [...]
