The document contains 4 short fiction stories of 55 words or less. [1] The first story is about a homeless man finding comfort on a park bench with donated clothes and shoes. [2] The second story is a darkly comedic exchange between a man and woman where she offers to be a hitman for his wife. [3] The third story is about a police officer pulling over a designated driver who was intentionally trying to get pulled over to divert suspicion away from drunk friends. [4] The fourth story leaves off with a woman trying to comfort a man hanging from a ledge/bridge, asking him his name and telling him everything will be alright.

1. FLASH FICTION
55 words or less

2. Gratitude by Andrew E. Hunt
The street lights were a warm welcome from
the oncoming chill of darkness. The park
bench’s curvature felt familiar under his tired
old spine. The wool blanket from the Salvation
Army was comfortable around his shoulders
and the pair of shoes he’d found in the
dumpster today fit perfectly.
God, he thought, isn’t life grand.

3. Bedtime Story by Jeffrey Whitmore
“Careful, honey, it’s loaded,” he said, reentering the
bedroom. Her back rested against the headboard.
“This for your wife?”
“No. Too chancy. I’m hiring a professional.”
“How about me?”
He smirked. “Cute. But who’d be dumb enough to
hire a lady hit man?”
She wet her lips, sighting along the barrel.
“Your wife.”

4. Sober Intelligence by Sage Romano
I watched some fool stumble out of the bar and into a car. When he
swerved down the road, I pulled him over and administered a field test
that proved nothing.
He requested a blood test; there was no alcohol in his blood.
“What’s your game, pal?”
“I’m the D.D.”
“Designated driver?”
“Designated decoy.”

5. Life Saver by Josephine Cox
He was panicking.
“Calm down.” she whispered. “What’s your name?
Are you ok?”
She tried to comfort him. He was hanging on for
dear life.
“You don’t wanna do that. Think of all the people
who love you.” She said sympathetically.
“Don’t worry, everything will be alright.”
WHAT ENDING WOULD YOU WRITE?