Archive for the 'Short Fiction' Category

Taking Turns

“That’s not fair!” shouted Thomas.
“Yes it is,” retorted Olivia.
“But you went first yesterday,” he wailed.
“So what?”
“It’s my turn to go first today,” he demanded.
Olivia stood firmly, lips pursed, arms folded.
“Let me get past,” insisted Thomas.
“NO! Get lost! I’m having first turn today,” said Olivia. “I don’t care what you say – so there!” She spun around, walked through the door and slammed it shut. Thomas gasped. He stared at the closed door.
“Why?” he mumbled to himself. “Why does she does do this to me? She’s had first shower every day this year.”

All rights reserved.

Copyright 2007 Trevor W. Hampel

• To read more of my short fiction click here.

Vincent Celebrates in Style

Vincent looked again at the clock on the wall, and checked it against his wrist watch. He was accustomed to time creeping slowly at this part of his watch. Time seemed to slow down during the night. He stifled a yawn.

“I must keep awake,” he mumbled. He stretched, and yawned loudly again. He walked across the room. The coffee pot was his only companion on these long nights.

“Almost there,” he whispered a little later. The minute hand seemed to crawl even slower as it approached midnight. It was as if the effort of pointing to the top of the clock face was too much.

Vincent watched as it reached midnight. He cocked his ear – yes – he could hear cheering, singing and laughing in the hotel across the road. He raised his coffee mug to the watching clock.

“Ah, the exciting social life of a security guard,” he observed. “Happy New Year!”

All rights reserved.

Copyright 2006 Trevor W. Hampel.

• To read more of my short stories click here.

The Woodcutter
The sound of chopping reached Samuel’s ears. He ventured further into the forest. Soon he found the source of the noise.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Chopping down this tree, my good man,” replied his old friend Alexander.
“Pray tell; why are you doing that?”
“This tree is needed for a lofty purpose,” explained Alexander.
“And what wouldst that noble purpose be?”
“Its reason for standing here two hundred years or more is for just this moment. Please observe. Is not winter coming? This old dead tree will keep my family cosy this winter. Meanwhile, it keepeth me both strong and warm.”

All rights reserved. Copyright 2006 Trevor W. Hampel.

• To read more of my short stories click here.

Fireplace
Flames caressed the logs. Smoke curled upwards. The glow flickered through the room, casting shadowy movements on the walls and ceiling.
“Time for bed,” said James. Elizabeth kept staring at the fire. She snuggled even closer to James.
“Not yet,” she whispered.
The grandfather clock chimed midnight.
“It’s really getting late.”
“I know.”
James yawned. Elizabeth cuddled even closer. A log broke open; a stream of sparks flared upwards.
“I really love this house,” said Elizabeth. “It’s so cosy, especially when we have a fire.”
“Yes,” replied James. “And I really feel cosy every time I chop the wood.”

All rights reserved. Copyright 2006 Trevor W. Hampel.

• To read more of my short stories click here.

Washing Machine
“Washing machines should not make that noise,” said Peter as he finished making his coffee.
“Then find out what’s happened,” muttered Jody, engrossed in the latest romance novel.
Peter shrugged, took a sip of his coffee and casually strolled to the laundry. He looked at the machine. The noise came again; muted screeching like some wild, watery demon trying to escape.
Peter pressed the “OFF” button, lifted the lid and stared in. At once he saw the problem and scooped up a squirming blob. He carried the dripping object and plonked it in Jody’s lap.
“Kitty doesn’t like being agitated,’ he commented.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2006 Trevor W. Hampel.

This short story was first published in Freexpression magazine in June 1999.

• To read more of my short stories click here.