A sample of stories written for the challenges – max 75 words

by Ton Schevan (aka Elckerlyc)

---

The Creation of Shadow

(Theme: Shadow – Genre: Mythology)

Next, Kreator shaped Shadow.

“What use is that?” Sun wondered aloud.

“I’m glad you asked,” said Kreator, “It’s to limit your unrelenting powers.”

This infuriated Sun, who thought highly of himself. He split, thereby enabling himself to shine from opposite sides in the skies, to obliterate Shadow.

“Thank you kindly,” Kreator said, transforming Lesser-Sun into Moon. And thus began Day and Night.

Sun hates Shadow ever since. This is why Shadow hides behind you, always.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

A Matter of Distinction

(Theme: Domestic Pets – Genre: SF)

“Halt!” the customs officer cried in Galactic-Formal. The addressed alien froze.

“No foreign animals allowed beyond this point, Sir. Please escort your pet to the quarantine-center on this space-station for observation.”

The alien seemed dumbstruck, but it’s pet growled, baring gargantuan teeth.

“Better restrain your uh… dinosaur, Sir!” warned the officer, gripping his phaser.

…

“Next time,” his superior rebuked afterwards, “before you shoot, please make sure you haven’t confused pet with owner.”

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Magnum Opus

(Theme: Metamorphoses – Genre: SF / Fantasy)

He held the glimmering piece of metal high in the slanting sunbeam and looked at it in awe. Its colour matched the golden light. He had done it! He could buy the world!

But not immortality.

–

His wizened hand held a beaker aloft, filled with a liquid that twinkled with promise. He had spent his life and trans-mutated gold in search of the elusive formula. Trembling, he drank. The metamorphosis was swift… Turritopsis dohrnii!? *

• immortal jellyfish

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

The View

(Theme: Clouds – Genre: SF / Fantasy)

“I have a room on the 197th floor. But all I see are clouds!”

“We try to live up to our name, Sir.” The clerk winked and nodded at the hotel’s logo, depicting a tower rising next to and up into a mushroom-shaped cloud. “Perhaps a room on a lower floor?”

—

“Was the view to your satisfaction, Sir?”

“Certainly. Unsettling yet awesome.”

“I understand. The sight of London Crater can be very disturbing.”

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Observe

(Theme: Connections – Genre: SF / Fantasy)

Felix did not understand why he was locked inside this nasty, ghastly smelling box. The thick, foul air was slowly smothering him. Miserably, he crouched in a corner to be as far away as possible from the putrid source. Where had that other, strangely familiar, cat come from? Though dead, he still felt as if they were somehow connected. Nothing made sense.

Eventually the box opened. “Ugh!” someone exclaimed.

And darkness overtook him.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________