magisternihil's 100-word story for July 17, 2025

magisternihil wrote the following micro-story on Hectalex on July 17, 2025. Each story on Hectalex is inspired by a daily visual prompt and must be exactly 100 words.

Ximun painted the creature at the entrance to his tunnel to frighten people away. There was something about the service door that led to his impromptu living quarters that invited the urine of any passing drunk, and he was done with it. He hadn't meant to paint it at midnight during a full blood moon, at least he didn't think so, but that's an artist's life for you. Sometimes he did odd things when inspiration struck. Sometimes they were accidentally occult. He tried to ignore the fact that it was an inch closer to his door every month. He tried.

Want to write flash fiction like this? Join the daily challenge at Hectalex.com and discover how powerful 100 words can be.