Short Not Sweet: Coffee Fiction Series, #1

Keith M. Leonard

Short Not Sweet

Coffee Fiction Series - Book 1

Copyright © 2025 by Keith M. Leonard

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Keith M. Leonard asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

Keith M. Leonard has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

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WARNING: Some stories contain themes that may be disturbing or triggering for some readers. Reader discretion is advised.

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The shortest horror stories are often the most terrifying.

- Stephen King

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

I. MICRO-HORROR

1. Midnight Special

2. Powerless

3. Heaven or Hell

4. Forgotten

5. Buried Alive

6. The Woman in Red

7. Resting Place

8. Attraction

9. Nothing

10. Are You Him?

11. The Rocking Chair

12. Howl in Pain

13. Ravenous Professor

14. Fear

15. Mist Singer

16. A Father’s Burden

17. The Final Edit

18. Satan’s Lucky Day

19. AI Armageddon

20. Transformation

21. The Hunt

22. Abandoned Mansion

23. Awakenings

24. Voices

25. Game of Life

26. Lessons of the Past

27. Awakening

28. Scripted Secrets

29. Witch’s Payment

30. Dead Weight

31. Final Trip

32. Alone

33. What’s on TV

34. Stillborn

35. Never Again

36. The Blood Tithe

37. Acid Rain

38. A Dinosaur in Michigan

39. One More

40. Bloodlust

41. Eternal Reign

42. TikTok Tantrum

43. Quakes

44. Torn

45. A Wizard’s Folly

46. The Quickest Way

47. The Prince’s First Spell

48. School is Hell

49. Perfect Creation

50. Nana’s Doll

51. Chaos

52. Last Words

II. DRABBLES

53. Original Drabbles

III. WORK IN PROGRESS

54. Buried Alive

Afterword

About the Author

Preface

Short Not Sweet is a collection of micro-fiction stories born from a year-long drabble writing challenge. A drabble, by definition, is a complete story confined to a mere hundred words, demanding the utmost brevity.

The challenge often presented unique twists in addition to a word of the day. For example, the story Eternal Reign had to bookend with the same line: No king can rule forever. Nana’s Doll, considered a drabble and a half, stretched the limit to one hundred and fifty words.

Fans of horror and suspense seek immersive, edge-of-your-seat stories. This collection doesn’t offer long stories to get lost in, but it evokes fear and leaves the rest to the reader’s imagination. For instance, when you contemplate the story Nothing, fear resides in the eye, or mind, of the beholder.

The Coffee Fiction Series is designed to be savoured in small bites, much like a delightful treat enjoyed with your morning brew. However, be warned: these stories aren’t all sweet. They probe into the darker corners of human experience, exploring themes that may surprise and perhaps even unsettle you.

I include a brief reflection on the origin of each story, offering a glimpse into the creative process and the sometimes-surprising sparks that ignited these tales. This may be the most unsettling part of all—the unfiltered access to my dark, twisted, and occasionally hilarious mind.

Chapter 53 includes the original drabbles for those curious about the raw beginnings of the stories.

I pondered the ideal length for this collection, ultimately deciding on fifty-two stories—a nod to the age at which I embarked on my writing journey.

Thank you for picking up this book! I hope you enjoy the dark delights I have prepared for you.

Acknowledgments

This book simply wouldn’t exist without my wife, Joy. Her unwavering support and encouragement kept me going, especially when my motivation waned. I’m so grateful for her patience through the countless hours I spent writing.

I

Micro-Horror

1

Midnight Special

(Word of the day: Pizza)

Pull in there! Karen yells over the thumping wipers. She points to the flashing diner sign just ahead.

There’s nobody here, her husband Charles says, veering into the empty parking lot.

Are you surprised? With this weather and this late, we’re probably the only two crazy enough to be out tonight. Let’s get something to eat while the storm passes.

Hungry Eyes by Eric Carmen is playing on the diner’s overhead speaker as they rush in. A sign inside the door reads, It’s a free country. Go ahead and seat yourself.

Charles leads Karen to the nearest table.

I’m Alice. What can I get y’all? a thin, pale-faced waitress asks as they settle into the booth.

Two coffees, please, Karen says.

Anything to eat on this fine evening?

What’s good? Charles asks, flipping through the menu.