2024 February Flash Fiction Challenge: Day 1

Welcome to the first day of our month-long challenge! This is my fourth year in a row running this challenge, and I know we’re going to have a blast. If you’re returning from a previous year, welcome back, and I’m excited to get writing with you! And if this is your first time with us, I hope you find as much fun as absolutely possible.

If you’re on X (Twitter(, Facebook, or Instagram (or anywhere else), be sure use the #FlashFictionFeb hashtag.

Let’s get started!

For today’s prompt, write a story that takes place right before someone says something they shouldn’t.

Remember: These prompts are just starting points; you have the freedom to go wherever your flash of inspiration takes you.

(Note: If your story gets flagged for review, be patient—we will be releasing comments every few hours throughout the weekdays of this challenge. Our system randomly flags comments for review, so just sit tight and wait for us to set it free! If you run into any other issues with posting your story, please just send me an e-mail at mrichard@aimmedia.com with the subject line: Flash Fiction Challenge Commenting Issue.)

Here’s my attempt at a story where someone’s about to say something they shouldn’t:

Good Riddance

He was found on his office floor, face down on the terrible blue and white carpet. There was no one to call but his ex-wife, Mary, who hadn’t even thought about him in over a decade. Typical, she thought. His secretary and one of the firm’s partners showed up to the funeral. There was no mass; Mary had been the one to push for a church wedding anyway, and still he’d wanted it wrapped up quickly. As the funeral director beckoned her to speak, two little words crowded behind her teeth, the only ones she cared to speak.