~~~
Day’s Verse:
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him…
Ephesians 4:14-15
~~~

Some more 50-word stories:

Never Again

The pain of its abrasive surface—unrivalled. Cheaper, true. Longer-lasting, yes. Yet its indescribable texture begs the question of value. Like sandpaper on a baby’s cheek? Razor blades on rose petals? Unweathered rock against virgin grass? Surely none to extreme to describe one-ply paper on tender gluteal flesh.

Under Fire

Huddled together, life leaching away in tandem, husband and wife murmured. Lifetime together attunement shortened sentences.
“Afraid?”
“No.”
“I am.”
“Why?”
“It’s unknown. And separating from you.”
Wrinkled hands quested, linked in familiarity, reassurance.
“Eternity together, perhaps.”
“Or…”
Beyond technology’s grasp, they weathered the silent artillery of time.

Last Great Exploration

Approaching the edge. To ten eyes, it looks like space: black, ahead and behind. Ship’s sensors stutter. Two women, three men, five years preparing and years asleep, traveling. Awakened, Magellan’s crew waits, watches.

Inching forward. Closer. Closer. Vanishing stars, everything known. Readouts blanking. Finally—Light? Dark? Life? Death? Silence? Crescendo?

Earth’s Perspective

Voices from Magellan:
“Approaching…Sensors unresponsive…Looks blank…”
Long delay: words travel millions of lightyears.

Flight director requests go/no go.
“Go.” One voice. Sacrificing five lives on science’s altar?
“Roger, go for entry.”
Data vanishing—a moment there, voices, numbers, technology’s heartbeat. Then—
“Magellan, flight control. Do you read?”
Endless silence.

Trade-Offs

“Would you trade, if you could?” Two young women, prime of life.
“No…”
“I’d like to live as long as you will.”
“If you eat right, exercise, take vitamins, maybe you could.” Both knew she couldn’t. No vitamins tripled human lifespan. “I’d like children, though.”
Longevity or children? Eternal tradeoff.