10 Short Stories to Pass the Time (Part III): 10 Short Stories to Pass the Time, #3

By Anna Smith

Dive into these ten short stories, featuring: 

-A bear traveling in time through mysterious circumstances

-Stone gargoyles coming to life in order protect a college campus from evil

-A woman sharing her harrowing journey to America

And more

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ananda Foerch
• Release date: Feb 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215494288

Book preview

The Thing

The tenth and final time somebody found the object, it was 1987. She found it on the side of the road, and picked it up. She was an artist and finding and using detritus she had found was something that she often did.

She couldn't even figure out what it was until she realized it was a teddy bear, the fur the only thing left of the child's toy.

Hey, she said, softly, running her fingers over the dirt covered fur, the stuffing completely disappeared. She glanced around the side of the road but couldn't see it anywhere, and assumed that the stuffing must've washed away with the storm.

She didn't notice that the fur itself wasn't even wet.

Come on. Let's get you to your new home. She smiled. I can fix you up like new. How does that sound?

The bear didn't respond as she put it in her backpack.

Nor was the bear there when she unzipped her bag and got home.

The bear was never seen again.

#####

The ninth time somebody found the object, it was 1990. Lynn was cleaning out her son's room when she spotted the cat chewing something up, taking the stuffing out.

Marlin! No! she chastised the cat, which couldn't have cared less. Marlin jumped down, fur still attached to her whiskers. For Lynn's part, she frowned. What the...

The teddy bear wasn't one she'd seen before. Her son didn't own toys like this, leaning more towards action figures like other boys his age. Where the hell... she wondered. She frowned, setting it down so she could set the laundry basket down. When she turned back, the teddy bear was gone.

Her eyes widened.

Marlin! Marlin, bring that back right now!

Marlin did not, content to perch on her sun laden windowsill.

#####

The eighth time somebody found the object, it was 1999. Four year old Dorothy was playing excitedly when she found a teddy bear she did not recognize. Hello, she said, picking it up. Where did you come from?

The teddy bear did not answer, but judging by how dirty he was, he'd been in the park. At least, that's what Dorothy thought, as the park was the only place that dirt could be present in a city like this.

She noticed the rip on the side and immediately took out her toy stethoscope.

It's all right, she said, speaking very seriously as she ran the stethoscope over his body. I'll 'nose you, like my daddy does. He's a doctor, and he saves people's lives. I'll figure out the i'ness and make you a hole again.

The teddy bear would be with her for ten years before it disappeared, but Dorothy didn't notice.

Even if she had, she wouldn't have cared. She was much too old for childish things, in her very grown up opinion.

#####

The seventh time somebody found the object, it was 2004. It was at the construction site where Devon Waters worked. He looked down at the teddy bear and wondered how long it had been there. Judging by how much dirt it had on it, it had been there for quite some time.

It was strange, though. This had been the site of an old factory which had burned down. Where would a teddy bear have come from?

Too busy to think too deeply on this, he shrugged it off, walking away without another thought.

Not even noticing that the bear had disappeared when he walked past the same spot.

#####

The sixth time somebody found the object was 2017. Chad, Dorothy's maybe possibly but not quite there yet serious boyfriend was sitting on her dorm room bed. He looked over and frowned, staring at the bear that was sitting there. It looked worn out and loved, and he smiled slightly before he picked it up, running his fingers over the fur and wondering where she'd gotten the object.

Hey Chad have you seen my- what is that?

He turned the offending object to face her, almost accusing in its stare. I don't know, you tell me, he said. Been going out with somebody behind my back, who wins you stuffed prizes at carnival games?

Dorothy frowned, staring at it. "Hold on,