Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Z is for . . . ZERO CHANCE OF MOVING

Welcome to The Blogging from A-Z Challenge April 2014! This year, I’m offering up a story – each one 100 words or fewer - for each letter of the alphabet.

Some are heartfelt, poignant, sweet. Others are…not. 

I hope you enjoy them.


*****


ZERO CHANCE OF MOVING

Mom asks about his imaginary friend.

“Her name is Cindy, she lives in the hall closet. Her face is all zippers - eyes, nose, everything.” Barry doesn’t like to think of Cindy’s long, stretched out mouth. When she whispers to him, the tracks of her teeth click, gnash.

“Sweetie, it’s only the luggage all stacked up. Daddy got it down from the attic, for when we move next week.”

“Cindy won’t let us.”

But Mom walks away.

“She likes it here,” he whispers.

In the closet, Cindy grins. Her zippered mouth, now glinting with saliva, slowly opens.

*****

40 comments:

  1. Oh geez I'm so creeped out by Cindy!
    And I'm SO impressed with all of your stories for the Challenge. You are so talented!

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  2. This sounds like it would make a damn good scary movie - reminds me of The Conjuring :)

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  3. Of course you come up with a zinger for Z. Kudos! I will definitely be visiting this blog for lots of tomorrows!
    Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com

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  4. Julie - thank you so much! And Cindy creeps me out, too. I've avoided our hall closet for a few days now…. :)

    OE - whooo! Thanks!

    Debi - I'm glad to hear you'll be coming back. :)

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  5. You know what? I've read a lot of horror stuff but that zippered mouth is CREEPY.

    Congrats on finishing the challenge - wow, so impressed that you wrote a story every single day!!!!!

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  6. I love the ending "zippered mouth, now glinting with saliva, slowly opens." Kind of creepy.

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  7. Chilling!
    Excellent A to Z all month, Madeline!!! You rock!

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  8. Cathy - thanks! And the zippered mouth creeps me out, too.

    Jeanette, Rachna, Tyrean - thank you!

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  9. Ooh, scary. A kid would certainly check the closets for luggage after that one!

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  10. Awesome. You managed to give me the chills. Again. Why do I expect any less?

    I have loved reading your stories over the month. I wish there was an award for coolest A to Z posts, because you would win it for sure! It's been a great month! So glad to have met you!! :)

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  11. Someone is about to be eaten. Death by luggage.
    Congratulations on completing the Challenge.

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    Replies
    1. "Death by luggage". Maybe the title of my next book? Though It seems a little commonplace. Luggage will kill us all.

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    2. Or else the fees for having to take it on a plane will. :)

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  12. EEK! Cindy sounds nasty and she can stay in the closet. Congrats on making it to the end of the challenge. =D

    ~Patricia Lynne~
    Story Dam
    Patricia Lynne, YA Author

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  13. An imaginary friend with zipper mouths? Oh that's creepy!

    Congratulations on completing the challenge!! I've enjoyed reading your stories. :D

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  14. Luggage can be creepy and all closets are just places where monsters hide.

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  15. Stephanie - not just a kid…. :)

    Kristin - thank you so much! I really appreciate that.

    Alex - ha! Death by luggage - I like that. :)

    Patricia - I don't think Cindy is going to stay in the closet….

    Chrys - thank you!

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  16. Another creepy, thought-inspiring flash fiction, thank you. Cindy is not someone I'd like to be dealing with!

    It's been fun. scary, disturbing and occasionally sweet :) Thanks for your fictions this month :D
    Sophie
    Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles - A to Z Ghosts
    Fantasy Boys XXX - A to Z Drabblerotic

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  17. Gah! Seriously. Disturbing. I will never look at a suitcase the same way. *shudders*

    True Heroes from A to Z

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  18. Susan - amen!

    Sophie - thank you very much! I'm glad I "met" you through this Challenge. :)

    Crystal - then my job here is done. :)

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  19. *shudder* That gave me the chills!
    Congratulations on crossing the A to Z finishing line!
    Your flash fiction was awesome!

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  20. Congratulations, you did it! And now you should seriously think about putting your stories together and publishing as an e-book. They're wonderful.

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  21. EEEEEEE!! What vivid imagery! I'm never going to look at my luggage the same way again.

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  22. Oh, this is a good one! I do agree; there is no change they are moving! I don't like Cynthia at all!

    Congrats on finishing the challenge! I did enjoy the stories of yours that I read; amazing you could put together a great story in 100 words! Great talent!

    betty

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  23. Boy, do you have a talent for these shorts. Congratulations on an amazing A-Z.

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  24. Yikes, just the thought of a face of zippers is creepy enough without the hint of malice and saliva!! What a great collection of shorts- very creepy and enjoyable!
    Congrats on a great A-Z! :)

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  25. Wow, that was chilling. Thank you so much for these wonderful flashers!!

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  26. EEEEKKKKK. In a good way. Congrats on your A to Z. Nice to meet you. Thanks for popping by my blog.

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  27. Oh wow, you really finished with a creepy one! *decides not to open the under-stairs cupboard for a while*
    It's been such fun visiting your blog over the fest, congrats on making it all the way to Z.
    Tasha
    Tasha's Thinkings - AtoZ (Vampires)
    FB3X - AtoZ (Erotic Drabbles)

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  28. Patricia S - I'll probably do that. :)

    Lynda, Betty, Liza, Phoenix, Jolie, Leslie, Tasha - thank you all!

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  29. I have never thought of a suitcase as creepy... until now that is. :)

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  30. Thank you so much for your stories! I've really enjoyed reading them! Best wishes for you!

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  31. wow - your stories have such depth in so few words! this one is creepy, didn't know you had it in ya! excellent job with the challenge! way to go!

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  32. Love it! Great way to end the challenge :)

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  33. Yikes! Imaginary or not so imaginary...hmmmm.

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