Some very short stories:

Farewell

The fire took hold as Randall arrived. He heard screams amid the crackling sound of burning timber. Suddenly he was inside. In the bedroom two figures lay together unconscious; one his wife. He ran out of the house without looking back. He had seen his father for the last time.

Detachment

"Look at my bloody hands! Look at them !" ordered the heavily-built man. "I fought in war for smooth-skinned wimps like you !" He smashed his fist down on the bar. The atmosphere in the pub was electric. David unhitched his left hand and laid it on the table. The man fainted.

Home Thoughts

He sat quietly -eyes closed. He heard a nightingale calling over a soft summer breeze; there was a gentle rustle of leaves in the background. He wearily took off the headphones and opened his eyes to stare into the barren distance. He would return to Earth on the next shuttle.

Prophetic Tremor

The refrigerator groaned away to itself as ever. But now Russell could hear something new: a deep rumbling growing steadily louder. At last! he thought. The earthquake to smite the wicked of this City; this Sodom. Outside the Garbage truck      turned  his corner, receding, with its sound, into the distance.

Missed Appointment

It was the day of Earth's transit. Karke had long prepared for it; his instrument was focussed at the predicted time. No black interloper traversed the sun's dazzling

orb. He rechecked; figures correct. Twenty days later a perfect green sky was punctuated by the most brilliant meteor shower ever seen.

Reunion

She searched the horizon for his boat with longing. Suddenly there it was amid a wilderness of waves. It had survived the storm. She made her way towards it as best as she could. He was at the helm. With a final swoop she reached her secure perch -his shoulder.

Post Hoc?

The letter lay on the desk. He was irresistibly drawn to read it. "Darling, you will someday understand. ..." it started. He read on - a suicide note, unmistakably in h i s

handwriting. For a moment he thought of destroying it; then his hand moved towards an open drawer to grasp cold steel.

Late news

She opens the tablet container and absently swallows a hundred of the minute baubles. Soon drowsy, she lies down. Her breathing becomes stertorous. A mile away a telephone rings. "Dr Hearst? Mrs Sjoegren's path result: misreported,     I'm afraid. It's negative." "Thanks. I'll have my secretary ring her in the morning."

The Fraud

A perfect rose! He stopped to admire its splendour, then bent down to enjoy its aroma. Unexpectedly, there was no fragrance. He was mystified. Now, looking closer, he could see the petals were synthetic - made of the same material as his skin. He rolled away,

Registering bitter disappointment somewhere within.