When I found out there was such a thing as Ratcatcher’s Day, I had to make it a writing occasion. It celebrates the day the Pied Piper, having lured all the rats out of Hamelin with a magic piping ditty, got real steamed about not being paid and stole all the children.
Maybe celebrates isn’t the right word, actually. I know I’d be upset if someone took my beloved rats away. In any case, enjoy these dark microprompts, and please remember to tip your exterminators!

- Harbinger
- Hacksaw
- “Isn’t that…?”
- Back too far
- Antique
- Forgetting something
- Hell
Harbinger-The people gathered to hear the words as they echoed from the fiery tower.
Hacksaw-Bone, flesh, and lifeblood mixed within the teeth of the saw to bring a grin to her face.
“Isn’t that…?”-The freezer door slammed shut but not before Elaine caught a glimpse of pale blue eyes.
Back too far-It wasn’t a precise science yet, and a few hundred years off wasn’t unheard of.
Antique-The Dybbuk box sat alone in the corner of the shop waiting, wanting to be taken home by it’s next host.
Forgetting something-Looking over the edge of the cliff as his wife, turning in the air as she plummeted exclaimed, “Forgetting something?”
Hell-Nineveh was like home to her. It had been a millennium since she last set foot in this, her hometown.
Ooh, snap–you really did the theme justice, here. The “fiery tower” and “Nineveh” are my personal favorites. Thank you for writing!
I am really starting to enjoy these. They’re a nice side road along the day.
That’s fantastic–I know I always look forward to seeing your clever responses. Public but consequence-free writing is a balm, sometimes. I’m thinking about doing them weekly instead of bi-monthly, like I accidentally almost did this month, so I hope to see you there!
Absolutely. I am looking forward to the next set.