Micro-dosing Fiction II
Injecting Imagination, One Hit at a Time
No need to meet in a back-alley to get your “fix!” Inspired by a single word or phrase, the challenge is to distill a “potent dose” of words…measured in milligrams.
As a cunning linguist, this exercise in precision has been a “rush,” both thrilling and addictive. Savor these bite-sized narratives and don’t be surprised if you find yourself “jonesing” for more!
Microfiction - 100 mg of Seniors
In my youth, I wanted nothing more than to be grown. Being senior meant being top of the heap, ruling the school.
In young adulthood, I wanted to conquer the world. Walking across the stage and turning my tassel dropped me back to the bottom of the pile.
In my career, I desired approval and security. Adding senior to my title gave me greater worth, both figurative and financial.
In my old age, will I view senior as a badge of honor or as a label to indicate my citizenship is past its prime?
60mg of OCEAN
“I can’t see the other side,” Chip said, using a stick to poke the seaweed and wet sand.
“Because it covers the whole world without stopping,” I replied.
“Can we see the bottom?”
“In the middle, it is so deep no one has been able to find it.”
A briny wave crashes at our feet, and Chip shrieks with glee.
100mg of SKY
“But weren't the characters blocked and finalized?” Julie asked.
“The sky is still just a placeholder,” Indira replied.
With a determined nod, Julie went to find their background artist. Scouring Lumen Studios, she discovered Chen on the roof, sprawled in the afternoon sun.
“Did you forget your deadline? We can’t afford to lose another day,” she called, but he remained lost in thought. As she approached, she noticed tears rolling down his cheeks. “Chen, what's the matter? We're waiting on your sky.”
“I know. I'm sorry,” he sniffled. “I've tried, but I can't imagine anything better than this perfect blue.”
80mg of MERMAID
Eric was not enjoying visiting Ariel’s family. She’d forsaken life under the sea to live on land with him, surely he could survive a week as part of her world?
Yet when Triton fused his legs into a tail, Eric felt shame instead of wonder. With their eager questions about life above, the gentle curiosity of the merfolk deepened his regret.
Gazing upward through the watery depths to the distant sky, Eric’s heart sank. He loved Ariel, but not enough.
100mg of ABOVE THE CLOUDS
Real as they appear in the sky, you cannot hold a cloud in your hands. From the softness of cumuli to the icy shards of stratus, they effortlessly swirl and beckon us from above. Thrust skyward out of turmoil, we clash with the fleeting forms in a turbulent ballet.
Gritting our teeth as their might rattles our very bones, we endure the shuddering until we can break through. The world below disappears, newly cloaked by the undulating currents. From the tranquility of an endless sky, we marvel at the elusive vapors that challenged us to overcome simply by rising above.
50mg of DEPTH
Clarity doesn’t come from looking at everything at once; it comes from seeing one thing wholly. From one side, you cannot perceive the shape of something, nor can you read a different book with each eye. Focus isn’t a limitation; it’s an alignment of vision that reveals otherwise imperceptible nuances.
100mg of OLD FRIENDS
After years of battling duality, he was at last ready to set the conflict aside. Tonight, no monstrous force would overtake him; instead, the serum would split him in two, allowing him to confront the shadow within.
His heart pounded as the needle injected the elixir into his veins. Rather than succumbing to rage and bitterness, he watched as the oily corruption separated and coalesced into the cruel reflection of his worst traits. Gazing intently into the eyes of his other self, a silent forgiveness blossomed between them, sealing their tainted fate.
“Hello darkness, my old friend,” Doctor Jekyll said.
Thank you for reading! Wanderlust & Wordplay offers a blend of humorous expat memoir 🌍, serialized mystery fiction ✍️, and dystopian sci-fi 🧬
I’m so glad you’re enjoying Microdosing so much!