More 50-Word Stories
Outside, an ambulance siren wailed mournfully. Toilin traveled the shadowy tunnels full of fallen workers. Amidst the devastation, he discovered a still viable egg of a future queen. Sorrow instantly transmuted to resolve.
Carrying the precious egg, he exited the tunnels. Thus began his quest to create a new community.
Each spring, they come. Evoking a vivid memory from a time now indistinguishable from a dream.
The city had been transformed in an instant, its flow of energy suddenly stilled.
Yet, the tulips, rising above the turmoil, emerged as a reminder of the moments that make the enduring struggle worthwhile.
to: strategicniatitiveorg(sigo)@spincycle.com
cc: rebecca(Becky)@spincycle.com
Subject: FWD: RE: RE: Initiation of Strategic Collaboration
All,
As part of the Streamline 2050 initiative we have decided to implement a strategic pause on all external projects. Our steering committee will convene in 6 months to review all paused projects.
Steve
COO of Strategic Iniatitives
to: blakeleigh(Blake)[email protected],
from: rebecca(Becky)@spincycle.com
Subject: FWD: Initiation of Strategic Collaboration
Blake,
This is the first I’m hearing of an engagement with CSC. PFA the attached SOP document for vendor engagements. Your immediate action to integrate these standards into your daily operations is not just expected but required.
-Becky
AVP Procurement
to: hampton(Alex)[email protected]
from: blakeleigh(Blake)[email protected]
cc: rebecca(Becky)@spincycle.com
Subject: RE: Initiation of Strategic Collaboration
Our preferred vendor onboarding is a straight forward process that invovles leagal, compliance and procurement. Post these assessments, contracts are escalated to our senior management for final approval. We anticipate execution within two to three fiscal quarters.
Blake
to: blakeleigh(Blake)[email protected]
from: hampton(Alex)[email protected]
Subject: Initiation of Strategic Collaboration
Blake -
Thank you for your commitment to activating our partnership and pushing the envelope on what we can achieve together.
Before we commit to a kickoff meeting, could you please provide clarity on your standard protocol for contract execution?
Alex
to: hampton(Alex)[email protected]
from: blakeleigh(Blake)[email protected]
RE: Value Add
Alex -
We are eager to begin this collaboration to maximize our shared value proposition and drive impactful results. Let’s schedule a pre kickoff meeting to further align our strategies and operationalize our roadmap.
Blake Emerson
Vice President of Innovation and Thought Leadership
to: blakeleigh(Blake)[email protected]
from: hampton(Alex)[email protected]
Blake -
To circle back on your question from the call: here at Circular Solutions our value-add is our ability to proactively orchestrate a seamless integration of cutting-edge technologies by facilitating a holistic cross functional agile approach to effectively actualizes your mission-critical objectives.
Alex Rhodes (CFA/CMC/CSM/CISA/CBAP/PMP)
With each desperate stride, his legs grew heavier, as if the murky shadows themselves were pulling him down. Panic surged as his run faltered to a stagger and then a helpless crawl. His mind screamed to keep moving, but his body refused. Immobilized. He surrendered to the all consuming darkness.
Outside, an ambulance siren wailed mournfully, its haunting echo rattling the empty spaces between the walls. Once teeming with life, the narrow passageways had transformed into a silent tomb of failed ambitions. Amidst her motionless workers, the queen finally succumbed, her death marking the poignant end of their misguided feast.
Dear Sir,
I have been most gratified to receive your correspondence detailing the ingenious machine which you have devised. I am most eager to view your machine in person and to understand more profoundly how its operation might be optimized and integrated within the current technological advancements of our age.
It was the age of abundance, yet everyone was bankrupt. The best era to be alive, yet it felt like the darkest. Everyone was connected, yet isolation was pervasive. Every fact was obtainable, yet consensus was elusive. We craved more, yet it drowned us.
Life moved fast, yet went nowhere.
Tevex had fixed the issue, but it had been a close call. His boss droned on about the consequences if the experiment had to be restarted should the AI agents realize they were in a simulation. “How many more simulations were necessary before they could begin the invasion?” Tevex wondered.
The personality development group had grown complacent. Nostalgia triggers were part of the character templates, but two AI agents created from the same template were not supposed to run in the same cluster. Of course, if everyone followed the proceedures they wouldn’t need Tevex to clean things up in realtime.
Tevex was jolted awake by a blaring alarm. Groggy, he checked the status dashboard: Earth simulation 37 was flashing red.
He zoomed in on captured video, where two humans were staring at the cover of a book, puzzled by its familiar appearance. Tevex recognized the problem immediately. This was bad.
The Earl of Greystone had accepted his fate. His mysterious illness had progressively worsened. Now unable to stand, he relied on heavy doses of Laudanum to get through each day. Although he suspected foul play, by the time he came to this realization, it was too late to fight back.
Every time Riven thought of the upcoming departure, a searing dread jolted him deep in his gut. He regretted telling Wynfred to make preparations for their journey, yet he didn’t want to back out now. Trying to stay optimistic, he reminded himself that getting started might actually provide some relief.
The old tree basked in bliss, whispering thanks into the spring breeze that stirred tender green shoots on its gnarled limbs. Freed from the strangling vines that had sapped its strength, the tree pushed new roots into the earth, subtly signaling to nearby neighbors that it was thriving once again.
The Earl of Greystone, preoccupied with a life of leisure, had happily delegated the dirty work to the Greenwood Guard, not realizing that he was gradually losing control of his kingdom.
As soon as the first grain crisis ended Dorren had put plans in motion to manufactor another larger one.
For immediate release: Redtape Solutions Corp Reinstates Original Logo
We deeply regret the misguided attempt to modernize our logo and have assembled a cross-functional team of core stakeholders perform a comprehensive strategic review to ensure that future changes undergo a thorough vetting process, fully aligned with our customers’ core values.
The battle raged on, as it had on most days recently. For much of his life, it had been an unfair fight but Riven had discovered a weakness and was determined to exploit it. Every thought had an equal and opposite thought. What if he failed? What if he succeeded?
The manor was small, situated on a modest estate near Greenwood. Squire Thomas, the previous owner, had been found dead during the peak of the grain riots.
Subsequently, the Earl turned the estate over to Dorren, who felt no remorse for what he’d done. Thomas had been lazy and inefficient.
A man was already midway through his spiel, asking Elliot if he’d like to get in on an amazing investment opportunity. Elliot wasn’t really listening, but he let the man finish before closing the door without speaking.
The Kingdom of Heaven? It was an interesting pitch, he thought to himself.
Dorren’s plan had been significantly accelerated by the incompetence of others.
Overwhelmed by the grain riots, the Earl of Greystone had turned to Dorren for help. Most rioters switched allegiance in exchange for a meal; those who resisted were killed. The Earl now owed Dorren a significant sum of money.
Thy master, whose earthly labors have now ceased, hath in his last will and testament bestowed upon thee, his diligent and loyal servant, the entirety of his worldly estate. This bequest cometh as a testament to thy steadfast loyalty and industriousness with which thou hast tended his affairs and person.
Dorren had undermined every Reeve in the region. This left the Earl of Greystone with no choice but to officially grant him control of Greenwood Shire. Thus, the Greenwood Guard was born. Of course, functionally, there was no difference; what were once called bribes were now officially known as taxes.
The sound of church bells echoed through the forest, signaling the funeral was nearing its end.
His men were expendable but unlike his predessor Dorren was reluctant to kill villagers unnecessarily. He favored the immediate gains from the bribes his organization extracted for protection. Nevertheless he had achieved his goal.
I write to you in the midst of a season of great tribulation and effort. Each day brings with it challenges that try the very limits of my endurance.
I assure you of my unwavering resolve to continue the endeavor with all the courage and strength that I can muster.
Duchess Cordelia Beaumont,
The commission granted by your Grace has not only provided sustenance and continuance of my artistic pursuits but has indeed elevated my spirits and encouraged my aspirations towards the attainment of greater proficiency and sublime expression in my art.
Your most devoted servant,
Sir Barnaby Shelley, Artist
A guard had escorted Amos to the exit. He had been willing to train his replacement, but The Slog Committee was afraid of him now.
Finally outside, staring at a beautiful blue sky. His body relaxed as years of tension melted away. For a brief moment, he felt at peace.
Simon received a warm welcome from front desk staff. He should be happy to be here. It was good to have a backup option.
His turn now, he followed the staff into the back room to wait. Suddenly uneasy. He wondered, was he interfering with forces best left to chance?
From the beginning, the end was known. Despite this, every bit of energy struggled valiantly against its fate.
As the final star succumbed to darkness the grand journey had reached its inevitable conclusion.
Time stretched on, boundless and empty, a void where struggles of the past faded into infinite silence.
Isra opened his eyes, focusing on the sensations as they emerged.
Hope. Love. Connection. Acceptance. Others he could not name.
He basked in the warmth as they radiated over him, flowing freely from Imani. Embracing Imani, he felt barriers dissolve, forging a connection he knew would transcend space and time.
Isra closed his eyes, focusing on the sensations as they emerged.
Despair. Sadness. Isolation. Shame. Others he could not name.
He shivered as they washed over him, seeping from an icy tomb sealed off long ago. He reach inward for the tears buried deep within, but the resistance held firm.
I wanted to give up. The challenge of the dark forest had been energizing at first, but now, exhaustion overwhelmed me. I wasn’t even sure why I was here. Ira was right to avoid this place.
Bitter about not listening to Ira when I had the chance, I trudged on.
A farm boy, face down amid the charred debris of his family’s farm. As Dorren’s blade cuts across the boy’s throat, he locks eyes with a reflection of his younger self.
Stirring to consciousness, Dorren murmurs, “I am a survivor. That boy deserved his fate.” Dorren allowed himself no weakness.
Eliot found himself alone amidst the bustling crowd at his first convention. People mingled all around him, sharing secrets and laughs. Did they all know each other? He stood apart, his throat tight with questions he feared to ask, worried they’d reveal him as a fraud amidst the true masters.
Riven had heard the rumors of a new Bandit King.
He’d spent years diligently studying the accounts of other adventurers and felt almost ready to embark on his own journey. However, the emergence of this new Bandit King meant he had to incorporate this new information into his master plan.
The new server had just gone live. I felt a deep nostalgic happiness as the login music played, ushering me into a familiar virtual world. But within a few minutes an inescapable sadness crept in. The game was the same but I had changed. Was it better as a memory?
I know Ira will be upset when he hears the news. It would be impossible to take him on this journey. A close advisor and mentor since childhood. I am grateful for Ira but I know we must part ways.
Goodbye friend. Feeling lighter, I setout for the dark forest.
“It’s beautiful!” Lyra said.
“Yes”, he lied. He hadn’t seen a sunset in years.
At first, the floating numbers had comforted him. They represented early debts, paid in full. Now, they covered the sky. Every action accounted for. Debt free. He wanted to escape but how? He was the accountant.
A decade had passed since the Greenwood Outlaws’ raid that led to Dorren’s capture. Ten years of violence in service of the oppressive Bandit King.
Dorren had endured. He was a survivor. Today was his reward. He grinned as he cleaned the bloody dagger. Dorren was the new Bandit King.
Days had passed. Deep in thought, Riven desired more certainty of the path ahead. Stalling.
“Will we set out tomorrow?” Wynfred inquired, joining his master by the fire.
“We cannot afford another encounter with the Greenwood Outlaws” Riven mumbled distractedly.
“And what’s the cost of staying put forever?” Countered Wynfred.
It was early afternoon and Amos had already completed his daily pattern in the sand. The Shoreline Slog Committee would be pleased.
Amos knew he should relax before high tide but he felt uneasy. What was the purpose of these daily patterns? Amos could never tell anyone about these thoughts.
We called it God but it was not really our God.
What do you call something that is nowhere and everywhere? A moment but also infinity? It taught us how to see each other and ourselves. A single day that will live forever in our mind.
We called it God.
Riven had rehearsed for hours. Calculated every scenario. Convinced he could crack the code. Today is the day.
Chest tight, his hand extends. The response is unexpected. Recalculating. Always calculating. A brief pause to think. The moment is gone. Another failure.
Sinking stomach. Embarrassed. Exhausted. He will try again tomorrow.
I didn’t tell anyone about my plans. Perhaps I would turn back? Like many times before. Standing at the edge of the dark forest. My optimism faded. A familiar fear crept in. How much time had I wasted here?
Expecting relief, I took a step into the forest. None came.