Rationale: Ernest Hemming way once wrote a six-words-long story (“For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”) and considered it his greatest work. Following this idea, I have written fifty six-word stories and collected them here.

-

After the fire, nobody bothers Michael.

Careful. The trees have tasted blood.

Selling used wishes: only unwished twice.

She screamed. He smiled. Nobody heard.

The painting screamed. They shot it.

“C’mon, boogeyman, out of the closet.”

He departed, still afraid of salvation.

She’ll wake alone, confused, and full.

Jimmy cracked corn. Does anyone care?

“Trust me. He ate them raw.”

In retrospect, the sedatives were unnecessary.

Later, he started laughing at funerals.

The searches will end, come spring.

The church calls this catastrophe “Genesis.”

She entered the world a murderer.

Adam’s not gonna jump. He’s too

You trust me? Really? I wouldn’t.

See those scars? Her characters live.

She contemplates life while squashing spiders.

I shot them point-blank. Missed. Again.

“Talk!” “For chrissakes, let him breathe.”

My prognosis? You die today. Guaranteed.

Her dolls know pain. And anger.

They watched it bleed to black.

Fair trial? Knew I forgot something.

If I’m lying, may God strike

“Will Mommy stay dead this time?”

Don’t throw up; they’ll catch me.

“Any dried meats left?” “Fresh okay?”

Oops! Sorry, daddy. Wrong wishbone. Daddy?

House fire. Gas leak. Smoking kills.

He’ll never leave me. He can’t.

He aimed to please. And fired.

They rarely killed for pleasure anymore.

“Who’d you stash here this time?”

“Take your disembowelment like a man!”

Your computer will become obsolete… now.

I can’t even finish my own

He wished for peace. Everyone died.

Won’t feel a thing. Can’t, really.

“Please, honey, put the plane down.”

I’m alone. No more people. Yes!!

“You wouldn’t hit a guy with-”

Conspiracy: Algebra, the Roman Invasion Continues!

I no longer live for dreams.

“They bleed for days.” “Without dying?”

The town disappeared. It never died.

Who wears the pants? You pervert!

“We’re so proud!” Son’s first homicide.

Nobody but she survived. Someone knocked.