Daily Flash Fiction Entries

The Golden Ticket

Anthony Birkins did not believe in miracles.

Still, he clutched the raffle ticket and squeezed his eyes shut, the rattling drone of balls in the drum nearly driving him mad with impatience.

It was his 55th birthday. Surely, for once, something good should happen.

I know I’ve not exactly been in your good books lately, Jesus, he prayed. But if I win this money, I swear I’ll donate half… well, maybe not half. A quarter? I’ll do it this—

“Numbers 25, 37, 16, 42… and the golden ticket number… 65!”

Anthony’s eyes flew open.

He stared down at his ticket.

I… I won. His arm shot up, trembling, as the hostess scanned the restless crowd.

“Me! Me!” His voice cracked before breaking into a shout. “I did it! I won! Happy birthday to me!”

“Congratulations!” the hostess beamed.

Ignoring the jealous stares, he shoved through the crowd and bounded onto the stage.

“So?” he asked, grinning. “Where’s the money?”

The woman pressed a finger to her lips and winked.

“Step this way, sir. Your prize awaits behind the curtain.”

“All right!”

He barely had time to register the acrid stench of sulphur before the darkness swallowed him—mercifully sparing him from feeling the agony of his body being torn apart.




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Word Count: 210
Prompt: A Birthday Wish Gone Horribly Wrong
Written For: "WDC Birthday Carnival"