2nd Annual Flash Fiction Contest

Flash Fiction RULES!!! And right now Cherie Reich is hosting this fabulous contest. Check it out, enjoy a few quick, fun reads--but be sure to leave comments and let the writers know you love them *ahem* us.

Mwah-ha-ha

Lightning flashed. Power surged into the tower laboratory, heating organic power cells, emitting a green glow. Sporadic white tentacles swirled about the human-sized tubes, plasma humming.  

An old man wearing black goggles ducked into the room. He pulled on elbow length gloves with a smack and smoothed back his erratic white hair. “Igor, prepare the switch!”

A hunchback hobbled in behind him, shuffling toward the lever.

The scientist drew a hand over an inanimate lump at the center of the chamber. “Your time has come, my beautiful creation.”

“Ready, Master,” the hunchback slurred.

“Pull the switch!” The command echoed off brick walls, switch, switch, switch.

Igor gripped the handle and jerked downward. It didn’t budge.

He gasped and tugged again. It wouldn’t move! He wrapped his arms around it and hung on the beam. It remained still. Perspiration dripping down his forehead, he climbed onto a nearby platform and leapt at the lever. It crashed down under his weight.

Silvery electric threads shot out of each tube. They jolted into the lifeless creation. The mass vibrated.

“Mwah-ha-ha-ha-ha!” The scientist raised both arms to the sky.

Lights flickered in and out. The room shuddered. All went dark.

“Arise, my creation!” the old man commanded.

The circular hulk shifted.

Igor ducked behind the lever, trembling.

It twisted. It sat upright, its round frame catching the starlight like a miniature moon.

“I’ve done it!” The old man collapsed to his knees before the cot.

“Oh, it’s so beautiful!” Igor hissed, still hiding.

“Where am I? Who am I?” The lump shook. “What am I?”

The old man snatched a crumb off the thing and threw it into his mouth. “The first ever living cheese wheel. Delicious!”