Member-only story
RANDOM | FICTION | DOUBLE DRABBLE
What’s a Sneeze Got to Do With It?
RWDouble Drabble 2.0.115 | Lantern
Today’s random word is lantern; the twist is to start with a designated first line.
Because double drabbles are short, please consider staying on this page for at least 30 seconds so your time counts as a read. And while you’re here, a clap, highlight, comment, or all of them is greatly appreciated. It lets me know you were here.
Each time she sneezed, something in the house changed shape. Marjory had been making shadow puppets on the walls since childhood, but something felt different lately. When only a lantern provided light during power outages, inanimate objects moved — ever so slightly — taking on a new form.
She hadn’t noticed what caused this phenomenon until recently, when her allergies aggravated her and she realized her sniffling made her house shake.
Still, she asked herself what that had to do with shadows.
(Even the author of this story asked herself this question. Nobody knew.)
Until late one June evening, after a new medication made the sneezing stop, Marjory noticed that nothing had changed. Her house had taken on a life of its own. Nothing ever stayed the same.
