My country always talked large of our shared dreams, and the bodies buried to build them.
"Bundled, we are whole. That's how this works."
His words curdled in my mind, rotten.
"So you see, this must be done. One out of line is one too many." He spoke with that harrowed warble, the soft gristle and charred flesh of mother crunching underfoot. I felt it as an airy rush at first springing from his waist, then as cold, muted steel against my skull.
“Red tape.” He sighed. The bundle before him carried the weight of his world—his future tied up in legal requirements. All for the little property with the cottage.
“Next.”
He stepped up to the counter, handing over the pile. The officer cocked an eyebrow, rubber-thumbing through the pages. She looked him dead in the eyes, reaching for the stamp.
During the 60's, Dad would bundle us kids into the bed of his pickup truck for road trips. We weren't afraid, we loved bouncing and rolling like a litter of puppies when we hit bumpy sections, the wind whipping in our hair.
By the time I grew up and had children of my own, the laws had changed: Car seats and seatbelts became the rule, and nobody could ride loose in the back of trucks anymore. The world may be safer, but traveling lost the magic of daring adventure.
We had great fun when my friend's father put his family of 6 plus another 7 or 8 assorted friends into his car and drove for 30 minutes to a pool he had heard about. It was so much fun both on the drive and at the pool!
That's a lot of kids in one car! Your friend's father must have been a patient man.
My Dad put us in the back of the pickup to visit our grandparents, a two hour drive (four hours round trip). We used to tie little metal Hot Wheels cars to a long string and toss them out the back to watch them bounce around and make sparks on the highway. Great fun, until the day a policeman pulled Dad over to ask if he knew what we were doing... he didn't... last time we played that game! 😂
No seat belts and most of us under 12. The back seats seemed huge.
This seemed to be a recurring theme back then. My dad was my hockey coach. He would often get phone calls "Can you drive my kid to the game?" So we would end up with the 7 of us plus a few more kids and numerous hockey bags.
My brother and I went with my Aunt and Uncle from Toronto to Winnipeg. 2 Adults 6 kids. 2 dogs. Those of us in the back seat played many different games every day. It was just a fun road trip.
Awesome story! Time travel tales are so cool, but kind of mind bending - I liked this one a lot!
I am amazed that there were so many writers and even more stories this week! They were so much fun to read, but it must be a huge amount of work for you. Thank you for all you do! Also, thank you for including my evil firefly story. 🐞
Yeah this recap took a minute (120 to be exact) to put together, but it’s worth it. I’m just starting to fear that it will reach a point when it won’t be possible to include everyone
I have a suggestion: When it gets to that point, maybe you can put everyone's names into a hat and pull out a predetermined number to include in that week's Batch. Anyone who misses out one week can be featured in the next week's listing. If you see something that you absolutely love, you can always include a few extras. I know you want to feature everyone every week, but two hours is a looonnnggg time to spend on putting a Batch together! You already "like" and comment on our stories throughout the week, so we know we're not being ignored. 😉
The old woman was desperate to sit down on the subway, but an ominous-looking man in dark sunglasses, a hood and mask wasn’t about to move the bundle he had placed on the only empty seat. What could be in the package? A bomb flashed through her mind. Is everything now a threat? She looked around. All her fellow travelers were too caught up in their own lives to even notice. Two stops later, she left the train. There was nothing on the news that night.
It only took a week for me to get totally hooked on writing these micro-fictions. I’m still trying to figure out this whole Substack thing, but at least I now have my own “handle”. (Whatever that means?) Just want you to know that I will always grateful for your inspiration. Happy to now be one of your subscribers. terrynyc
There are a couple ways you can go about it. You either write a comment, restack the story or tag me on notes/in your own post. Whatever is the most comfortable to you. However If the story is restacked or in the comments it's easier for me to find it when making the Batch :)
Thanks for Mentioning one of my stories! What a phenomenal Batch! And what an amazing start to 2025! You've done an incredible job putting it all together. It's always great to see these prompts sparking so much creativity, and so many wonderful contributions. Well done everyone... 😎
Sharon shook her head at all the bundled offers polluting her inbox--and her mailbox. The "bundles" cost more than her old single policy and cable had. The only bundles she really wanted were bundles of library books, firewood for the fireplace, and wool for crocheting.
And time. She wondered whether minutes could be bundled. A minute in line at the store. Another minute at a long red light. Five minutes for the train crossing. If she could only bundle minutes instead of products…
Miguel, did you ever think that Microdosing would turn into this Macroengaging endeavor?!? What a community you have fostered. Thank you for welcoming me (all of us) to be a part of it!
Thanks for the fun, Miguel! : )
My country always talked large of our shared dreams, and the bodies buried to build them.
"Bundled, we are whole. That's how this works."
His words curdled in my mind, rotten.
"So you see, this must be done. One out of line is one too many." He spoke with that harrowed warble, the soft gristle and charred flesh of mother crunching underfoot. I felt it as an airy rush at first springing from his waist, then as cold, muted steel against my skull.
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry."
Thanks for joining in!
Prompt: BUNDLE
THE IRRESISTIBLE TEMPTATION
They were just sitting there.
Still warm, and smelling absolutely heavenly.
Tempting us so much, we didn’t even bother trying to resist the urge to steal them.
And within seconds, we’d all grabbed an extra bundle of towels to take back to our hotel rooms.
Leaving the maid’s trolley bare… 😎
Miguel, thank you for the great batch and the mention, as always! Impressive effort with going through 200 micros in the first batch!
Micro-fiction - 90mg of a Bundle
===
He regretted the deal already, but it’s his father’s order.
The hostage would be brought there in exchange with him.
First he saw the trail of yellow dust, then the camels.
Then he saw not one but five hostages being dropped on the sand.
His stomach stirred. Five for one.
“We’re honoured to get the prince so we’re paying with the bundles.”
As they blindfolded and tied him, he caught a glimpse of the ring leader’s victory smirk.
He thought of the king.
Was it a betrayal, or a sacrifice?
The Bundle
Prompt: Bundle from THE FICTION DEALER
“MIss, you have put the bundle through the x-ray machine.”
Jennifer looked at the Security Agent and then at the bundle she was carrying in her arms. “It’s not what you think,” she began.
“It never is,” replied the agent who led the other agents in drawing their guns and focussing on Jennifer.
“Eek,” was the only sound Jennifer could register.
“Set the bundle down and back away,” she was directed by security.
Reluctantly she set it down and said, “It’s just my dog,” who woofed happily through the blanket.
Papers tied in red ribbons.
“Red tape.” He sighed. The bundle before him carried the weight of his world—his future tied up in legal requirements. All for the little property with the cottage.
“Next.”
He stepped up to the counter, handing over the pile. The officer cocked an eyebrow, rubber-thumbing through the pages. She looked him dead in the eyes, reaching for the stamp.
His breath hitched. The stamp came down.
“Approved.”
“It’s mine?”
She nodded, a small smile breaking the tension.
Thank you for joining in Jacinta! And with such a beautiful one at that!
Thanks. It was a great challenge to start with.
During the 60's, Dad would bundle us kids into the bed of his pickup truck for road trips. We weren't afraid, we loved bouncing and rolling like a litter of puppies when we hit bumpy sections, the wind whipping in our hair.
By the time I grew up and had children of my own, the laws had changed: Car seats and seatbelts became the rule, and nobody could ride loose in the back of trucks anymore. The world may be safer, but traveling lost the magic of daring adventure.
We miss that magic every day!
It's a brave new world out there. It's tough being an old fogie... 😂
We had great fun when my friend's father put his family of 6 plus another 7 or 8 assorted friends into his car and drove for 30 minutes to a pool he had heard about. It was so much fun both on the drive and at the pool!
That's a lot of kids in one car! Your friend's father must have been a patient man.
My Dad put us in the back of the pickup to visit our grandparents, a two hour drive (four hours round trip). We used to tie little metal Hot Wheels cars to a long string and toss them out the back to watch them bounce around and make sparks on the highway. Great fun, until the day a policeman pulled Dad over to ask if he knew what we were doing... he didn't... last time we played that game! 😂
No seat belts and most of us under 12. The back seats seemed huge.
This seemed to be a recurring theme back then. My dad was my hockey coach. He would often get phone calls "Can you drive my kid to the game?" So we would end up with the 7 of us plus a few more kids and numerous hockey bags.
My brother and I went with my Aunt and Uncle from Toronto to Winnipeg. 2 Adults 6 kids. 2 dogs. Those of us in the back seat played many different games every day. It was just a fun road trip.
As always thanks a million and A+ for effort, leadership and support on top of your daily bangers.
Tony was a born haggler. They’d agreed on a price for the kill. But he couldn’t help pushing.
“You got a cleanup service? You know, for after.”
Butchie scowled. “Come again?”
“A package deal. Like a bundle.”
“I look like the insurance lady from the TV commercial?”
“You should consider it.”
“Now you’re on Shark Tank? I probably could find a guy.”
“Let me guess. Your cousin.”
“I’ve got a bundle for you alright. Consider this. How ‘bout you pay me what we agreed AND you shut your frickin’ mouth?”
Thanks Scott :)
nooooo.... the time travel paradox.... noooooo
😂 yup.
Awesome story! Time travel tales are so cool, but kind of mind bending - I liked this one a lot!
I am amazed that there were so many writers and even more stories this week! They were so much fun to read, but it must be a huge amount of work for you. Thank you for all you do! Also, thank you for including my evil firefly story. 🐞
Yeah this recap took a minute (120 to be exact) to put together, but it’s worth it. I’m just starting to fear that it will reach a point when it won’t be possible to include everyone
I have a suggestion: When it gets to that point, maybe you can put everyone's names into a hat and pull out a predetermined number to include in that week's Batch. Anyone who misses out one week can be featured in the next week's listing. If you see something that you absolutely love, you can always include a few extras. I know you want to feature everyone every week, but two hours is a looonnnggg time to spend on putting a Batch together! You already "like" and comment on our stories throughout the week, so we know we're not being ignored. 😉
The old woman was desperate to sit down on the subway, but an ominous-looking man in dark sunglasses, a hood and mask wasn’t about to move the bundle he had placed on the only empty seat. What could be in the package? A bomb flashed through her mind. Is everything now a threat? She looked around. All her fellow travelers were too caught up in their own lives to even notice. Two stops later, she left the train. There was nothing on the news that night.
Very nice! Welcome to the site! Good luck with your writing... 😎👍
Hi! Thank you for joining in. That's a good one!
Thanks, Miguel! I really appreciate the feedback, as well as the format you've created. This is my first stab at fiction. What a great way to start!
It only took a week for me to get totally hooked on writing these micro-fictions. I’m still trying to figure out this whole Substack thing, but at least I now have my own “handle”. (Whatever that means?) Just want you to know that I will always grateful for your inspiration. Happy to now be one of your subscribers. terrynyc
That’s awesome Terry! Thank you so much for the support. It means the world.
That’s awesome! Were you writing non-fiction before?
I was a copywriter in an ad agency years ago. Have always wanted to start writing fiction. I'm not kidding when I say that you have inspired me!
I'm also new to Substack and still trying to figure it all out. Is it better to add Batch contributions in some format other than comments?
There are a couple ways you can go about it. You either write a comment, restack the story or tag me on notes/in your own post. Whatever is the most comfortable to you. However If the story is restacked or in the comments it's easier for me to find it when making the Batch :)
Thanks for Mentioning one of my stories! What a phenomenal Batch! And what an amazing start to 2025! You've done an incredible job putting it all together. It's always great to see these prompts sparking so much creativity, and so many wonderful contributions. Well done everyone... 😎
Your story was so awesome! I cracked up at the ending.
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Have a great week... 😎👍
You too. 😊
90 mg Bundle:
Home and Auto. Hulu, Max, and Disney.
Sharon shook her head at all the bundled offers polluting her inbox--and her mailbox. The "bundles" cost more than her old single policy and cable had. The only bundles she really wanted were bundles of library books, firewood for the fireplace, and wool for crocheting.
And time. She wondered whether minutes could be bundled. A minute in line at the store. Another minute at a long red light. Five minutes for the train crossing. If she could only bundle minutes instead of products…
Sharon rocks! Good story!
Miguel, did you ever think that Microdosing would turn into this Macroengaging endeavor?!? What a community you have fostered. Thank you for welcoming me (all of us) to be a part of it!
You're doing an incredible thing for the community Miguel! Really inspiring what you've got going
Thank you Steven :)
I love this project. It's amazing how much of a story you can tell in just 80 words.
Thank you Leigh! It is and I love how every mind takes a different approach to the story based on a single word ❤️