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| I met a man made of smoke today. |
I decided to try something new: writing an entire story in a single paragraph.
Because, you know, writing a story at regular length isn't hard enough. And besides, who has time for all that reading? We all have stuff to do. ;)
Anyway, here it is. Hope you enjoy!
It Was Her
by JC Hemphill
I met a man made of smoke today. He had no
lips for smiling, no eyes for seeing, no ears for hearing. He billowed and breathed
and carried a case containing many items for sale. Inside were potions next to
promises written in ink; rarities that shimmered alongside devices of great
carnage; a history of forgotten treasures and treasures from forgotten
histories. With a wave of his smoky hand, he said, "Take your pick, son,
and please be quick." When I reached for something bright, it bled through
my fingers and vanished. "Sorry, son, all outta that one. Try again, and
please be quick." I reached toward the case, my hand hovering over gems,
then an hourglass full of sand, until I fell upon a photograph I hadn't yet noticed.
It was her, it was me, it was what I needed. It was her. I grabbed, expecting
nothing but finding everything. She materialized beside me, a specter no more.
In a flash, the man made of smoke closed his case and drifted away, leaving
her, taking me, a photograph for sale.
END
