NAWG 250 - 2025

Flash Fiction (Short Story)

 Only £2.50 per entry - £25 WINNERS' PRIZE!

Closed 28th February

 The £25 WINNERS' PRIZE was awarded to Penny Ellis

2^nd Julian Cadman: 'Bottling Up Memories'

 3^rd Lindsey Nicholls: 'Freedom Songs'

Here's the winning Entry 'Cupboard Love'

I love my cupboard; a vast dark cavern, in the corner of my bedroom, full of magic and excitement.

      It was filled with my toys and games. I wrote letters to Father Christmas. He gave me everything I asked for. Later, Ma and Pa kept my cupboard filled with all I wanted. They thought I would love them more. My love doesn’t work like that.

      In my teens I painted the cupboard black. It was where I stored all my IT equipment and explored worlds with my virtual reality kit. Ma and Pa learned not to disturb me.

      They aren’t here now. I have the whole house but I only use my bedroom and my cupboard.

I show friends my cupboard and new toys. We play. When I get bored, I put them away.

Alex was like me. We met online. We shared stuff. I invited Alex over.

It wasn’t unusual having someone else in my bedroom, but Alex reacted differently. Alex wanted to look in my cupboard. I liked to show off my treasures. I put out the light and opened the cupboard doors.

Alex dived inside and grabbed some of my toys. I was surprised. The others hadn’t behaved like that. Usually there was screaming, until I finished playing.

Alex had me trussed up quickly, an unusual feeling, but I thought it might be interesting for a change. But Alex didn’t want to play anymore.

I was locked in the dark cupboard. I like the dark.

To see the Judge's feedback see the next issue of Link.