THE SHORTLIST!
Here are the stories from which THE WINNER will be chosen!

Her Red Tears

First she pared back his eyelids, so that she could see into his soul. Then gently, with her talon, she made a long, clean incision across the ruins of his chest. I love you, she said. Reaching in, she removed the heart almost in one go, blood bubbling up so that it spattered her arms and her mouth. You died for me, she said, and swallowed his flesh. Then, delicately, she moved her attention to his crotch and gorged herself on his delicious parts. You were made to be enjoyed, she said. Then, weeping, she flew away.

Brian G
100

Made in Heaven

Perhaps Mildred thought that if she waited long enough, Mr Perfect would break down her bedroom door and sweep her off to sunny Bali. This could be the reason she never left her room, and spent her life yelling to Ma for food. Ever since abusive Adrian left her ten years ago, there was only Ma, and food. When Mildred reached twenty-five stone, Ma had had enough. Desperate to escape her impossible daughter, she burned the house down and no fireman who broke down her door could even lift Mildred out of the bed to save her.

Khalid
100
Once Upon

Jemima, Roland would never forget. She had let him just the once. Ever since that bizarre evening – they were both drunk, after all – they had avoided each-other as much as you can in an open-plan office. There was an unspoken mutual agreement to leave work at different times, to avoid embarrassing moments in the lift. Lunch breaks were taken in two competing coffee houses. And so, that 7/7, when there was no way home other than sharing a cab, he asked why. She answered, “You had better get a test. I have HIV”. “So do I”, he said.

Grigor
100

It is past 2am and I have failed to convince my eyelids to close. No point trying to sleep now. So I dressed, and started exploring the unknown town.

On the sidewalk, a dog. A Spaniel, no collar. He was shivering with cold and hunger, whimpering with the pain of a broken leg. I embraced him, comforted him and gently snapped his neck. He died warm and loved. I left him in a bin.

I was tired now. Now I could sleep too.

I returned to my hotel room and read the script one last time. I am ready now.
Zara
100
Echoes of colour

Dusk had settled in him, in his bones and his soul, the painted sky flooded from his beautiful mind, darkness settling in, clouding his vision. So I loved him vivaciously and painted my own canvas, with the colours of his soul, hoping he would see just how beautiful he was and learn to love again. It wasn’t easy, with my own tattered heart, sometimes my sky faded too but there was one thing that brought us back, the love we both held for the night, the moon, the stars. It was there, that our Cosmic love bloomed.

Lorna Malan
100

The Window Smasher

I knew I was in love from the moment he helped me to smash the window. I had locked my keys inside and in my desperation had approached the first man I came across in the street. I remember his look of determination and concern but in the light of the street lamp, he looked angelic. Once inside, despite my second thoughts I made him coffee and his hand brushed mine. I snatched it away and told him to get out. Now, thirty years later, I marvel at his face. It is still beautiful, even in death.

Sukhi
100

South African Story

This country, my home. A place risen from the ashes, a Phoenix in its own right. Pity we don’t have those flames cause we could use the light. The humor of it all is the people shouting Eskom must fall. The one service provider of electricity for all. Back to the dark ages we will be plunged, bathing in cold water with a sodden sponge. The people they shout, dance and pout. Violence erupts from a government corrupt and still we have no lights. Our nation born free, pity in the dark that’s something we cannot see.

Tracy Peek
100

Son
From the gate he could see the windows were open. The radio was playing. He breathed deeply and opened the lock, swung it open. Ran down the driveway. The front door was locked. “Mom,” he screamed. “Mama!” Again, “Mommy?“ The back door was open. His heart, his mind exploding. There she was. Lying on the linoleum kitchen floor. Eyes open. Gone. She had always said, “Son, when you find a departed Soul and their body’s eyes are open, lightly touch them, ease them.” He wept and easing the eyes closed he said, “Light may your journey be my Mommy.”
Renos Spanoudis
100

The Man who Hated the word Nice

“How do you like my dress?” she asked. “Do you think it looks nice?”
He was in a bad mood, and didn’t want to deal with her trivial questions.
“Must you say ‘nice’ all the time? Can’t you use another word, like pretty, attractive, or even fashionable?”
She was a bit upset; she had carefully chosen the dress, and as it was on sale, it wasn’t expensive. She thought the dress looked good on her, and showed off her neat figure.
“I’m sorry. But do you like the dress?”
“Yes. It’s quite nice.”

Helen Stevens
100

Nightmare

Diabolical darkness fills the air. A murder of crows spiralling in the
air, eagerly waiting. In the distance, I feel the presence of evil. The air
started to reek of death. I want to turn and flee but my body objects.
Drawing near, I can see the demonic black stallion. Body full of unending
bleeding scars. Bloodred eyes staring into my soul, draining the life out
of me. I break free and flee, my heart racing.

Tripped over my own feet.

Suddenly …

Everything is gone.

Eternally plummeting.

Breathless.

I jump up.

Awoken with anxiety.

Fetching a deep sigh.

J Vox Woefski
100

ALAS and Alack! Lovely stories or short pieces which, as well written as they are, have been rejected only because they are not EXACTLY 100 words! Cruel. But those are the rules,

What Counts?

Her key, Gaia misplaced one morning. Events fortnightly left her life-bringer unconscious, yeasty-scented and beaten.

“Punctuality counts, my girl” then left for work. Unbeknownst to Gaia, her own ‘prince charming’- “papa”- a masked villain.

“Good day Charlie,” Gaia routinely left the doorman with. Her key had he salvaged, but Gaia was late.

On forth the day rolled. Five minutes before Gaia returned home, with the key rightfully now returned in hand- had she saved her mother’s life.
Angelically, the carpet only burnt. Finally; ‘prince charming’ was apprehended.

“Remember.” Says Charlie.
“Honesty counts,” Now replies Gaia.

-Keena Strachan

97

ESKOMPLICATED

And as I light the candle to another night of darkness I wonder to myself..”IS THIS REALLY SO COMPLICATED LIVING WITH STAGE ONE THEN STAGE TWO AND LETS JUST SKIP TO STAGE FOUR unsure where STAGE THREE went to during this whole light of loadshedding..gone are the days of lightening hitting the transformer and lights out or we just had the simple power failure and family bonding was the flavour of the night..its now stages that has everyone in a fit of frenzy running around waiting for the next stage of Eskomplicated..Welcome to my world

By
Adele Jones
96

Widow’s Peek

The winter sky is a widow’s sky, bedarkened and weeping. I began to hammer on, taking each bend like a child playing a video game, as the giant drops hit my windshield, sounding like the buzzing of angry bees.
I picture her waiting for me. Just a few more miles, I say to myself , as I take a sharp turn. Then, BOOM! It was all over. This widow sky cursed my wife to be a widow.
The darkness took over my mind and body… Goodbye My Love!
I was startlingly awoken by my dogs barking.

It was all a dream!
Pavlova Maharaj
103

PRANESH
Once in your life, you meet a soul so precious that you start believing in good hearts again. Such a soul was HE that he loved without inhibition and was himself, owing no explanation to the world. A rare, beautiful human being that when in his presence I only felt peace and joy .I know that in this lifetime I’ll never come close to a selfless being like this again or anyone who could love or move my spirit the way he did. RIP my awesome best friend in the universe, my voice of reason, my high counsel…
99

Chantel Naidu