Nancy Hibbert

“Did You Hear” by Nancy Hibbert

Submitted to Contest #200

Though she’d never spoken to Sondra’s husband, Ida recognized Neil Donnelly when he came into her shop. It was after three on a quiet Wednesday afternoon. Normally she greeted customers. Asked what she could get or how she could help. In her plain brown uniform, hairnet holding tight her hair, her plump face and serene smile put people at ease. But her customers didn’t usually look demented. “So, this is the world-famous Berry Mills Market.” Neil threw glances down the aisles – like making sure they were alone – and he stalked to where she...

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“Seeing Love” by Nancy Hibbert

Submitted to Contest #199

I knew you never loved me. The words were a mistake. As soon as she said them, Amy knew it. She hadn’t intended to attack Daegan, but thrown words couldn’t be hauled back. Not trusting what she’d say next, Amy fled from Daegan’s disbelieving look. Her volcanic anger wasn’t his fault. It scorched everything. She didn’t know where she was going when she got in her car. Just that she wanted to drive until the aching stopped. From the day’s heat, her skin felt afire making her longed to tear off her clothes and plunge into icy waves. Though it...

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“The Muddy Creek” by Nancy Hibbert

Submitted to Contest #198

Attempted Assault and Murder by Witchcraft. The reason King Alizner appointed me as a top advisor was because I discovered powers hidden in old Ruby Malone.Before Bertram drowned, I used to enjoy walking early mornings through the king’s fields. I liked listening to birds calling in the quiet. The air was so much fresher out of the palace, especially as the rising sun glistened across dewy fields of clover. Merchants would be hauling full mule carts to market, and Bertram would be stumbling home drunk and harassing someone.He was a scrawny ...

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“Escaping Fate” by Nancy Hibbert

Submitted to Contest #197

Kiran dreaded going to the tower. He didn’t know what to say to Fate. Had no idea how to discover the reason for her refusal. But both families, agreeing on nothing else, said he had to go. His face scrunched with reluctant thought he walked through the wide torchlit stone corridor of the Royce castle. Beneath the scent of flame and ash, a damp mildew odour clung to the thick gray stone walls that stretched high to dark cobwebbed edges. On reaching the corridor end, his thoughts were deafened by the eating and chatting of blue frocked servin...

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“Sliding Doors” by Nancy Hibbert

Submitted to Contest #196

Maddie couldn’t imagine. For everything to be fate would be fine. For God to have created everything for a purpose would work. Even an epic battle between heaven and hell would have meaning. But randomness. That all could change because one stopped for a yellow light rather than rushing through before the light turned red. Unthinkable. Those were Maddie’s last thoughts as she tried to sleep. Δ In the morning Maddie woke before the sun as she always did on runway days. Good to get to the set and walk about in the quiet before her people ...

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“Teller of Tales” by Nancy Hibbert

At the edge of a shallow brook, Jasper was on his haunches scrubbing blood, scales, and dragon innards from battle gear. It was a good day for it. The sun was hot on his head and the water choppy enough over the slippery rocks. After strategically hauling a couple of smooth stones, he used a pool for soaking and let the current washed away the worst filth. Still the sharp water soon left his fingers wrinkle raw. In childhood tales dragon slaying sounded fascinating, but the reality was a bloody mess. Rubbing his hands to warm them, Jasper wa...

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“New Moon” by Nancy Hibbert

Submitted to Contest #194

A full moon would have been more dramatic, but the new moon was right for farewell. Stars appearing as they arranged the circle made it the perfect night. “Three” “Two” “One” They struck matches but Ruby’s didn’t catch, and the wind breathed out Chloe’s flame. Cursing, they curled protective fingers and knelt in the dirt until their newspapers and kindling burned. Candles were next. Ruby had chosen dark pink for love. Chloe set blue for sorrow and white for vengeance beneath to form their triangle. Vix’s picture went in the center. Blinking...

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“Rescue” by Nancy Hibbert

Submitted to Contest #193

“Have you accepted Jesus as your personal savior.” In front of their church should have been a good place to handout leaflets. People were always around, even making special trips to visit the gourmet coffee shop across the street. But it was rare anyone showed interest in the Lord who died to save them. Usually, they hurried by with disdainful glances or refused to look at them at all. When a couple from the coffee shop paused, Beckie reached for a pamphlet. She was careful to use dainty fingers on her glowing risen Christ. The cold sun li...

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“Lost” by Nancy Hibbert

Submitted to Contest #192

Before the final tallies, Kelly waited, hoping she was wrong. But when the announcements are made and she is out of a job, her eyes left the tv. Searched for Leah. In a plush chair, Leah runs fingers through her dark hair as though weaving thick ribbons. On her lap she is holding a plush black pillow. Under Kelly’s gaze, Leah blinks her wide blue eyes.   “Can you and Paulo go and set up the Hillsborough place?” Kelly asks. Leah nods, uncrossing her legs, and then recrossing them beneath her. Her hands go to the pillow she is holding, s...

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“Calla Flowers” by Nancy Hibbert

Submitted to Contest #191

Gloria didn’t want to hate the season. But ew. After an hour slopping wet inches from her front deck and down her steps, she had enough. Crystallized into jagged peaks, gray dreariness clung to shrinking snow and dingy ice crusts that edged the slick parking lot. Even the oak branches were coated with glistening ice. When would the snow retreat and green fields reappear with their cheer of dandelions and violets dancing among the grass. Taking off her damp coat and boots, she stretched her fingers trying to ease chill from their tips. At ...

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“Journey into Hell” by Nancy Hibbert

Submitted to Contest #189

I have a story you won’t believe. I don’t care. My telling is more important than your believing. Have you heard of Maundy Thursday? It is the Thursday before Easter. That'is when my story begins. I was thirty-five and had lost another job. I could see blessings existed but my every path seemed to lead to disaster. Fitting in nowhere, depression tasted bitter as death. Choked like a hangman’s noose. Each rejection, sunk me deeper until I couldn’t escape the mire. That was when I saw the dark, distant figure and desperately cried out. “He...

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“A Pixie's Magic” by Nancy Hibbert

Submitted to Contest #87

Mindy stretched and straightened her frock of petals and clover leaves as she walked about the mushrooms and flowers. There’d never been a finer home. Mushrooms protected from rain and the waffling scents of irises and sweet alliums invigorated.  Ah, there. What could be better than a daisy? Wrapping her golden palms about its stem, Mindy arched her back and shifted her weight so fragrant dewdrops showered her. Being apple heavy, her vigorous swaying did no harm.   Refreshed by the cool water, Mindy ...

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“Running from Christmas” by Nancy Hibbert

Submitted to Contest #73

Luc, son of Roland and Marthe “Not worth it. Don’t be rash. Your life is more important. Why not go home for the holidays? You’ll feel better once you’ve had a break.” Gary meant well, but… Home? The word normally comforted his gut. But Luc’s father had passed last February. The idea of seeing long familiar streets, only hollowed his belly. Nothing would be the same. He craved quiet. A chance to sink into solitude and heal. And not his just torn muscles.  “I could use a rest,” Luc agreed, “but in a cab...

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“Myrna's Estate” by Nancy Hibbert

Submitted to Contest #72

Staring at the letter, Alice didn’t know what to think. She’d never heard of Aunt Myrna. Why would the woman list her as a beneficiary to her estate? The letter was from a lawyer’s office and looked legit, but who was Myrna Lewis? Better call her mother and see if she knew anything. “Mom, I just got this letter from Dewitt and Swayne about a Myrna Lewis. Have you ever heard of her?” “Myrna Lewis? No. Wait your father’s saying something.” Coming on the phone, her Dad asked, “What is this about Myrna Lewis?” ...

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“Sofia's Wedding” by Nancy Hibbert

Submitted to Contest #70

“You were trying to protect me! Ha! You’ve ruined everything!” * “But they seemed soft.” “Well, they’re burnt now,” Victoria’s mother answered, clanking cookie sheet down on the cooling rack. Through the kitchen window, they could see Sofia by the river skipping rocks in her bare feet. “I can’t believe she’s getting married in a week,” Victoria said. “I know. The first of my girls,” her mother sighed shakily. “Do you really think he’s right for her?” “Oh, Vicky, not this again.” “What, I’m just asking.”  Fiddling with...

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