Dani's Shorts 9: Dani J Caile's Universe, #1

By Dani J Caile

Another collection of short stories from Dani J. Caile. Maybe this will be the last outing, maybe not. Who knows? Enjoy them while you can... or maybe not!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dani J Caile
• Release date: Mar 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215878828

Dani J Caile

I've been writing for years, but now I've found my voice and style. I hope you like it as much as everyone else who has read it. :-)

Book preview

Preface / Acknowledgement

I thought I’d finished writing short stories. After the 4th Annual Final, which I happened to win, the Iron Writer Challenge ended and my time was taken elsewhere, specifically to my sci-fi series.

One of the original Iron Writers, Michael D. Pitman, took up the reins and began posting new elements. There was no challenge or competition, only elements and a deadline. I decided to try once again, though I had no spare time, only a few minutes per week, but that was enough to get my fingers moving. These prompts finally came to an end around March, 2021.

At the beginning of 2020, I also noticed another prompt-based writers’ website appeared called ‘More Odds Than Ends’ (https://moreoddsthanends.home.blog/) and although I haven’t fully become a member of the challenge, every week I copied an unassigned prompt from the site and wrote a little ‘scene’ or story. I have included in this work only the prompts from up to mid-March 2021 to match those of the Iron Writers.

I hope you enjoy this collection of old, slightly old and new ‘in medias res’ short stories/distrations, ranging from 100 to more than 500 words, as this may very well be the last – though probably not. I’d like to thank Michael D. Pitman for taking up the Iron Writer torch.

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Iron Writer Weekly Challenge

22 June 2020

Elements – at a home poker game and includes: a house cat and a pizza delivery (Is it a serious home game, or friendly? What's the conversation about (serious or light-hearted)?), with a picture of 2 Aces in a hand.

Meow, meow!

That's a nice pussy you got there, Ernie, said George, eyeing up his cards on the table. Two Aces. With the drawn cards already on the table, he was on for a Full House. Time for a bet.

That 'pussy' is the sole descendent of Ramesses III's cat, I have you know, retorted Ernie. The others, Jeff and Bob tuttered and looked at their cards.

Yeah, right, laughed George.

I'm out, said Jeff, taking a sip of his beer.

Me too, said Bob, throwing in his cards. Did you order pizza, Ernie?

Yes, I did, with extra anchovies, like you asked, said Ernie.

You know I can't eat fish, how many times have I gotta tell ya, I can't eat... started Jeff.

Don't worry! I got you a Margherita.

Oh, cool.

Well, it's just me and you, then, Ernie, boy, said George.

D'ya wanna raise the stakes a little? Loser pays for the pizzas? asked Ernie, fidgeting with his two cards.

Sure, why not! An Ace, a three, two fives and a Queen were in the five community cards. Why not go the whole hog? Pizzas for the month! He smiled at Ernie.

Well, with that poker face of yours, it's tricky to know whether you have a good hand or not. The others laughed. But I tell ya what, why not. Okay, Pizzas for the month it is! They both grabbed their cards, but George flipped his over first. Jeff and Bob gave a big 'Woah!' when they saw his two Aces, giving him a strong hand.

You don't see many of those nowadays, do ya, remarked Jeff. George was ecstatic. Ernie flipped over his cards. Two fives.

Wha... George couldn't believe it. A four of a kind. Ernie sat there, stroking his pussy as it purred.

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Iron Writer Weekly Challenge

29 June 2020

Elements – a married couple celebrating a milestone anniversary, that also includes an argument and reconciliation (and not necessarily in that order, either), a natural disaster, a thought that on the surface is foolish but is really deep-seated, and a picture of a couple lying together on tarmac next to a fence, looking at each other.

Happy Anniversary. He knew the voice, it was unmistakable.

Tiffy? Jason swung around to see her—the same smile, the same face, hair, everything how it used to be.

What are you doing here? she asked.

I...

And where the hell have you been? She slapped him across the face. It all came back, this corner, their argument. It had been so long ago.

I.. thought I'd come back here and look for my ring, which is kinda foolish I know, seeing as it's been over twenty years since I lost it here, but...

Yes, you lost more than just a ring.

Yes. I know. Out of all the places he could be to see the end of his days, he had to come here, where he lost it all through his own stupidity.

But you're here, she said, smiling. The next hand on his face was more of a stroke. She showed him her hand. Her wedding ring... and his!

You... you found it!

Yes, stupid! When you'd gone, I calmed down about you losing it and I searched for hours. If only you'd come back, then maybe we would've had a normal marriage — I couldn't find you anywhere! she wrapped her arms around him and cried.

I'm... I'm sorry, I... I couldn't handle it, the shame of losing my ring, you arguing with me, everything, I had to go!

But... now you're here... The ground began to shake violently and they fell to the tarmac, holding hands...

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Iron Writer Weekly Challenge

6 July 2020

Elements – a heaven and hell story where hell is full of fallen angels, and heaven is full of risen demons. Who are these risen demons? Are they anti-heroes? Or are they just demons running rampant in heaven? Incorporate a picture of a broken bridge over hell leading to the gates of heaven.

Are you sure you took the right turn? asked Barachiel, guardian of angels. The other thousands of angels from Heaven stood around looking at their surroundings. It was their centurial group outing to Earth.

Raphael looked at the map. It says here, 'weather is changeable', so I guess this is a hot day, he said.

But this damn hot, muttered Raziel, keeper of secrets. The depths of Hell burned around them. Wasn't that bridge broken?

What?! exclaimed Raphael. A broken bridge on the way to Heaven? Are you insane? That... 'hole' was put there on purpose by Him to help us find Earth.

It doesn't much look like Earth. Where are all the trees? Where are the peop... oh, there they are, said Baracheil. Oh dear, they all look a bit sad and pathetic, don't they. Some of them are screaming, too. I heard Earth was a shit-hole but this...

Language, please! shouted Raphael.

Sorry, said Baracheil. They all heard a phone ringing.

Razeil, get the phone, ordered Raphael.

Why me?

I have the map.

And Baracheil?

He has enough troubles.

Eh?

Okay, said Razeil, looking for the phone. He found it on the top of a burning rock. Hey, burning rock. Get it? The others gave him blank stares. Burning rock... burning tree?

Oh, they replied back in unison, but no laughs. Some of the other angels giggled to make Razeil happy.

Razeil picked up the receiver, burnt his hand, and then picked it up after wrapping his hand in his white robe. Hello? He stood there for a while and put the receiver down.

So? Who was it? asked Raphael.

It was Balail, you know that beautiful fallen angel? said Raeil. "He said 'Thanks for leaving, we're having a great time up