Micro-fictions (breadcrumbs)

The Ultimate Crime Against Humanity (97 words)

*Trigger Warning* child abuse

The video is only twelve seconds, but it is the best chance of catching the criminal.

Internet niches have analyzed every aspect.

Woodworkers and interior designers have labeled the furniture to be a 2015 pine and leather Ashley Home living room set, which was discontinued in 2018.

The blanket over the back of the couch was sold in Wal-Mart from 2012-2016.

Electricians and well-traveled people point out the outlets are American.

The child has blue eyes, with some brown strands of hair that can be glimpsed in 1.6 second close up shot.

The cameraman is never seen.

Scavenger Hunt (96 words)

In the newspaper, he had circled letters to spell out “willow tree.”  

Hanging from the willow tree, was an envelope on a string.  Inside was a card with a picture of Yorkshire Stadium with a game ticket. York was misspelled to have “u” between the “o” and “r”.

Charlie was already seated in the upper level of Section M, the “airey seats” we called them, when I arrived, with “me?” written on his shirt. 

I sat puzzled, but he pointed to the giant screen.

Each answer in my puzzle formed a sentence. 

“Will you M-airey me?”

Dreams (100 words)

Petals float to the ground, changing in the light.

First a triangle.

Then cow, door, a ringed hand gripping a wrist.

The flower becomes a woman’s face obscured by hair and crumbles to dust.

I rewind to the rings. One stands out; a gold skull. 

Breadcrumbs to follow? 

I jolt awake on the train. The triangle pattern chair comes into focus. 

Outside the window; a cow pasture. 

The train car door slams as a man drags a woman down the aisle by her wrist, her head bowed with her hair covering her face. 

I don’t need to see the skull.