Category: IU Flash Fiction Challenge

As the two men in filthy orange jumpsuits staggered over the crest, they beheld a tree teeming with large, black birds.

The short, pudgy one squinted and asked his companion, “What is it, Harvey? A bunch of owls or something?’

Harvey looked at him with an expression of tired disdain. “No, Lowell. They ain’t owls. Probably a dead cow or something there.”

A faint breeze carried the smell of rotting flesh toward them. Lowell shook his head back and forth rapidly, making his jowls wiggle. “This ain’t good.”

Harvey had already moved up to the top of the ridge. He could see a dozen bodies in various stages of decomposition beneath the tree. Each wore the tell-tale remnants of an orange jumpsuit. “No, Lowell. It ain’t good…

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Welcome to the Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. In 250 words or less, write a story incorporating the elements in the picture and the written prompt above. Do not include the prompt in your entry. The 250 word limit will be strictly enforced.

Please keep language and subject matter to a PG-13 level.

Use the comment section below to submit your entry. Entries will be accepted until Tuesday at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. No political or religious entries, please. Need help getting started? Read this article on how to write flash fiction.

On Wednesday afternoon, we will open voting to the public with an online poll so they may choose the winner. Voting will be open until 5:00 PM Thursday. On Saturday morning, the winner will be recognized as we post the winning entry along with the picture as a feature.

Once a month, the admins will announce the Editors’ Choice winners. Those stories will be featured in an anthology like this one. Best of luck to you all in your writing!

Entries only in the comment section. Other comments will be deleted. See HERE for additional information and terms. Please note the rule changes for 2016.