Top Drabbles From Inktober 2019

This October I set myself a writing challenge - to write an art-inspired micro-story of 100 words (aka a Drabble) every single day. It took a bit of effort, but I made it. The results were so much fun! I’ve previously posted my best drabbles from Wicked Lit Wednesday, so here are the top 5 drabbles from Inktober 2019.

Tanith and the Mertoad

Inspired by the art and characters of Mab Graves.

This wasn’t quite what Tanith expected. To fall in love with a toad. A boy-prince, sure, but a toad as well. All innocence and wonder on one hand, jealousy and petulance on the other.  

Tanith supposed humans were like that anyway. Multisided. Good yet mischievous. Happy with deep sadness within. That’s how Tanith reasoned it could work. They were similar enough. 

Her full-toad friend Margot didn’t like it though. She wanted to end it immediately. This prince would ruin her friend. Bring out the princess inside, instead of her lovely other.

Perhaps that’s the chance we all take for love.

Coven

Inspired by the art of Dave Quiggle

This chicken soup was going to be delicious. What good was a ritual sacrifice if you couldn't eat it after all? That was the best thing about this coven. No waste. Always killing two birds with one crone.

Shirl sprinkled in salt for taste. Mave some jasmine for lust. Joyce, eye of newt for power. Each stirred anti-clockwise six times. Their incantation injected yet more emotional weight within.

The result was an aphrodisiac a thousand times stronger than any pill – driving any who tasted it wild with desire. 

That potluck dinner at the Retirement Home would be one interesting affair.  

Shadow Cat

Inspired by the art (and cat) of Feefal

Cats aren’t afraid of the shadows, because they are shadows. For every one that prances in the sunlight, another not-cat slinks beneath. They span dark and light, death and life, claws and cuddles.

Tofu is no different. She crosses time with the swish of a tail. Conquers demons with a meow. Breaks hearts with a purr.

When she feels like it, Tofu appears furry. Other times, as bald as a sphinx.

If you’d lived in Egypt you would have worshipped her. Today, she prefers to stay low key. Monster hunting is so much easier if they don’t see you coming.    

Séance

Inspired by the art of Ninesque

It’s always safest to ask about the past. Things that have happened cannot be changed.

One night we stupidly asked about the future. Called in the demon of foresight to peer into our fate.

The temperature in the room dropped. Frost formed on our fingers as they moved from letter to letter on the Ouija board.

Words spelled out one by one. FOOLS. The windowpanes rattled.

YOU HAVE OPENED THE WAY TO A PATH OF DOOM

The final prophecy scratched out. We wailed at what we’d unleashed. Cried tears of blood at what we saw…

FOUR.

MORE.

YEARS.

OF.

TRUMP.

Can you see me?

Inspired by the dark surrealism of Diane’s Moods

Even though we were different, I miss you. Your curious laugh. Your quirky dress sense. Your warm hand in mine.

I still visit that place we met. The river that swept our hearts together and then swept them apart again.

The water is calm today. Can you see me in its reflection? I see you. I look up at you alone on the bank and wish I could be there. Ease your heartache because you think I’m gone.

I’m not gone. I will always be at this place we met. All you need to do is come down and remember.

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