2023 February Flash Fiction Challenge: Day 5
Write a piece of flash fiction each day of February with the February Flash Fiction Challenge, led by editor Moriah Richard. Each day, receive a prompt, example story, and write your own. Today’s prompt is to write about the future.
For today’s prompt, write about the future. Whether that draws you into the realm of sci-fi or not, that's OK! Let inspiration strike as it may.
Remember: These prompts are just starting points; you have the freedom to go wherever your flash of inspiration takes you.
(Note: If you happen to run into any issues posting, please just send me an e-mail at mrichard@aimmedia.com with the subject line: Flash Fiction Challenge Commenting Issue. Fingers crossed there are no tech hiccups!)
Here’s my attempt at a story about the future:
The Future
The psychic says, “You will be lucky in love,” and I hear, Every sharp shard of your heart that’s been broken off will create a stained glass window so stunning that one shining beam of light will attract the love of your life at the right time. He will have green eyes and a knee that cracks when he stands too fast and warm, gentle hands that soothe away the years and years of loneliness.
The psychic says, “A new door will open soon; don’t be afraid to step through it,” and I hear, Yes, the restaurant failed, but many restaurants failed because of the pandemic—you are not a failure. You have chosen passion over profit, no matter what your father has said, and soon, you will be vindicated.
The psychic says, “You will have an unexpected visitor,” and I hear, For the first time in a long time, someone will go out of their way to spend time with you, because they miss you. You will spend all weekend drinking too many glasses of wine and ordering takeout from your favorite places, and the walls around your heart will soak up the sounds of your laughter to fortify you for when they leave and you’re alone again.
The psychic says, “Good financial fortune is coming your way,” and I hear, Without the weight of student debit and late credit card payments, you can stop eating canned peas in overly salted instant ramen, stop scrounging around for enough quarters to use the laundromat, stop living with other stressed, single 30-somethings and finally get a place of your own.
The psychic says, “Will you be paying with the Visa or Mastercard today?” and I’m too busy thinking about how wonderful my life will be that I hardly hear anything at all.
Since obtaining her MFA in fiction, Moriah Richard has worked with over 100 authors to help them achieve their publication dreams. As the managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine, she spearheads the world-building column Building Better Worlds, a 2023 Eddie & Ozzie Award winner. She also runs the Flash Fiction February Challenge on the WD blog, encouraging writers to pen one microstory a day over the course of the month and share their work with other participants. As a reader, Moriah is most interested in horror, fantasy, and romance, although she will read just about anything with a great hook.
Learn more about Moriah on her personal website.
