Five Minute Observations

Category: Fiction

  • Truth Wears the Crown: Why Integrity Matters

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    by

    Joe Class III
    in

    No sugarcoating. No fibs. Not even the little ones grown-ups call ‘harmless.’ Tiny little Anya, four years old, wild blonde curls dancing in the sunlight when she ran. When adults looked her in the eye, they could see something missing in most people – honest, heartfelt emotions. At Happy Trails Daycare, Anya’s preschool, all the…

  • Timing’s Not Everything

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    by

    Joe Class III
    in

    Excerpt from Timing’s Not Everything Jim’s head disappeared under the hood of the pickup, coughing and sputtering like it had a grudge against the morning. White smoke curled into the air, thick and sour. A cigarette clung to his lip, ash threatening to fall into the engine. But Jim? He didn’t flinch. Eyes closed, he…

  • The Post

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    by

    Joe Class III
    in ,

    One post. One friend. A lifetime of trust—shaken. When Gwen sees Rob’s inflammatory social media post, it’s not just political—it’s personal. The Post explores how a single moment online can fracture years of friendship, and asks: can we still reach across the divide before silence becomes permanent?

  • The Collector

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    by

    Joe Class III
    in

    When an aging coin collector discovers a strange coin outside a small-town store, he has no idea what secrets it holds. A quiet moment becomes the start of something far more unusual in this atmospheric tale of mystery and memory.

  • Key? What key?

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    by

    Joe Class III
    in

    “You don’t have the key?” Marcus yanked at the handcuffs, chaining his wrist to the steering wheel. The metal clinked, sharp, final. “What do you mean you don’t have it? Where’s the key?” Sunlight reflected off the chrome cuffs, flashing straight into his eyes. No sunglasses? Zero mercy from the star. His hangover pounding behind…

  • Armadillo. Egret. Squirrel. Rainbow.

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    by

    Joe Class III
    in

    Not what I expected to see on my walk this morning, traversing almost five miles in less than two hours. An armadillo, on the trail, watching and sniffing the air, waiting for me to pass by. An armadillo! Squirrels? I expect to see these little tree rats scurrying about, gathering nuts and whatnot. But a…

  • Invited to Mrs. Ellington’s Estate

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    by

    Joe Class III
    in

    “Julian! Welcome. Please won’t you come in?” Sandra, opening the door let out a surge of cool air. It was the middle of July in Alabama and here Julian wore a long-sleeved, button-down forest green shirt buttoned up at the wrists, black jeans, and Birkenstocks with his stark white socks. Sandra Fredrickson, a co-worker, invited…

  • The Funeral of Nickolas Gather

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    by

    Joe Class III
    in

    “How would you describe Nick Gather?” Father John Jacobs, a Catholic priest stood in front of the pulpit in the viewing room, the guests, visitors, and family far exceeding the room’s maximum capacity. It was warm for the second day in May in Missouri. The central air conditioner unit barely kept the room cool enough…

  • Cham Shows Up

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    by

    Joe Class III
    in

    “Brrr!” Sandy exclaimed, voice quivering. Rubbing her arms vigorously, she did her best, chasing goosebumps erupting like tiny mountains on her pale white arms. Skin-to-skin friction didn’t seem to help much. “What, brrr, Sandy?” Trent asked, lowering his sunglasses just enough to peer at his girlfriend. His expression of concern and amusement flickered across his…

  • Can’t Do It.

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    by

    Joe Class III
    in

    “Just drop me off at the dispensary.” Take the job. Drive for fun and profit. You love to drive. Why the hell not? It won’t ever be crazy. You won’t be asked strange, weird things. It’ll be fine and normal. You live in a small town. You are far enough from Los Angeles unless you…

  • The 911 Call from Sunnyvale Gardens

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    by

    Joe Class III
    in

    “Who dat?” Greg held the phone away from his face, staring at the timer showing the call connecting with the other end for more than fifteen minutes. The number on the screen? 911. “I saaid, who der?” Greg stammered, “Um, hi.” “Honey, I ain’t got all daaay, you know? Whachu needin’?” “Did I call 911?…

  • The House Across the Street

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    by

    Joe Class III
    in

    “Did you know there’s a true story behind Wes Craven’s Nightmare on Elm Street?” Rachel’s gaze was fixed on the eerie sight across the street, an abandoned home that seemed to echo the horrors of the film. Overgrown with weeds, a once-white picket fence leaned precariously, sagging out towards the street, looking like it might…

  • Snoring at Sysoden Data

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    by

    Joe Class III
    in

    “He’s snoring,” Jared complained. “Like loud snoring.” “Wait,” Kent asked. “Don’t the two of you share an office?” “What of it? It’s not like he gives a crap about the job. It’s almost as if he’s hoping they fire him. Can’t figure it out to save my life.” “What do you guys do over there…

  • Seraphina and her companions – Meeting in Veritaville

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    by

    Joe Class III
    in ,

    “Seraphina, you can’t be serious!” Alexander’s voice boomed through the tavern, his fists clenched in frustration. Six men. Four women. That was the council and Seraphina? She was the natural choice to lead Veritaville. Alexander, a natural-born leader and herder of goats on the outskirts of their village, protested Seraphina’s announcement. “I thought we were…

  • Mrs. Henke’s English Class

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    by

    Joe Class III
    in

    A sunset sky. The reddish tint discolors a few bodies intertwined on the dance floor. One bright overhead light moves over each couple, some dancing while others lock lips. The soft music plays while everyone sways in time to Crazy for You, by Madonna. Late into the evening, these teens are getting tired from all…

  • Lila Leaves Flibberflop

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    by

    Joe Class III
    in

    “Did you ever wonder what it would be like?” Lila asked Glitters. “What it would be like? You mean?” her talking horse, resembling a unicorn, looked down below, disgusted by the mere mention of ‘earth.’ “Um, down there? Yeah. No way. Nothing doing. Look how much fun it is to just float. I mean, down…

  • Destination Elysium

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    by

    Joe Class III
    in

    In 2145, humanity embarks on its most daring mission yet: exploring the distant planet of Elysium. This planet holds the key to humanity’s future with its rich deposits of uranium, a mineral long depleted on Earth. Captain Elena Rodriguez, a seasoned astronaut of the newly formed United Earth Republic, is chosen for this mission due…

  • The Stranger of Veritaville

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    by

    Joe Class III
    in

    Between verdant undulating hills, where nature’s splendor met the skyline, frigid streams glistened as they flowed from the imposing Verita range. Their icy summits towered above, guardians over the expanse below. Nestled at the base of this mountain chain lay the hamlet of Veritaville. The settlement was a mosaic of picturesque homes, lush gardens, and…

  • Cheetos Truck

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    by

    Joe Class III
    in

    Thomas sat back in the wooden rocking chair, creaking on the ratty boards that Chris said needed replacing on the front porch. “Chris? You ever thought that at this very moment, there is a Cheetos truck driving down the interstate towards the Gulf of Mexico?” Tipping back the can, he swallowed the last Pabst Blue…

  • Kassie’s First Seattle Home

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    by

    Joe Class III
    in ,

    “Caleb?” She whispered his name again, thinking that he didn’t hear her. Granted, she was doing her best to stay as quiet as possible, the house dark and empty. Caleb and Kassie were moving out of the house, upsetting as it was to Kassie. The old house had character, panache. Style. That’s the reason the…