I wrote this story in response to a submission called from Manawaker’s Monthly 100 Word Project Submission call. The irony is that I don’t think I submitted the story correctly in the end.
This story will take less than 1 minute to read.
Another One Extinguished
I remember the first time you offered me a cigarette.
We were standing by your locker and you caught me drifting into an aromatherapy memory of nicotine wafting out of a coat. I told you it reminded me of my dad.
You said I should light one up in his honor. I asked if you to give them up instead, to live forever with me. You said forever was overrated, we should live for the day.
I remember you were ever the fire, I, the smoke. One bright, wild, and burning; the other left quietly behind, lingering on the lonely wind.
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The inspiration
Manawaker Studio asks writers every month to
On this submission page they explain they are looking for stories that are exactly 100 words and, each month they provide a prompt. I do not remember which month I wrote this story for, but I do remember the prompt was “SMOKE.”
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I love it!
Cool! I mean... hot. 🔥 (Or... smoky?)
I love writing drabbles. In 2025, I wrote at least one every day, and I accumulated enough of them that I'm releasing a book of fantasy drabbles this August.