"But--" "No. You've got to go." I looked into her eyes one last time and handed over the bag containing our meager supplies. Enough for Anna to make it out of the desert. Hopefully.

Behind Dagmar, every church bell in the capital began to toll. "Uncle!" She turned and ran down the hill. Her bodyguard caught up, grabbing her wrist. "My Lady, there's nothing you can do.

She had to start looking after herself again. Too-thin hand resting on her still-flat belly, Allie smiled. Her memories of Joe wouldn't fade completely. A part of him would live on after all.     This

Mutt watched as the girl slammed back the shot and bit into a slice of lemon. What was her name again? Jodie? Joni? Shit. Why was he here? Annie would hate this place. She'd be right. He tossed a few bills

Bri leaned against the tree--its shade a relief from sunlight. After the violence his father inflicted on her, would she ever love this child? Sudden, tingling warmth flowed from under her fingers where

Wrapping paper fell at Annie's feet as she stared at the bowl in her hand. Gold gleamed in the grout where the shards were joined. Whole again, but no longer the same. Better. Like she would be. Phil was

Funny how small mishaps could become omens. Annie poked a finger through the tear in her voluminous wedding dress. As unexpected as her best friend's last-minute confession, but there it was. Looping the

Allie touched her belly. He left something behind after all. Photo by Camila Cordeiro on Unsplash This little slip of microfiction is my entry to @chronocrypto's Very Short Story Contest. Thank you ,@diebitch,