Flash Fiction “250” Competition 2025 – Spring Winner
The Spring £25 winner's prize was awarded to Penny Ellis.
2nd: Julian Cadman – Bottling Up Memories.
3rd: Lindsey Nicholls – Freedom Songs.
Here's the winning entry. The judge's feedback can be seen in the October 2025 edition of Link magazine.
Cupboard Love by Penny Ellis
I love my cupboard; a vast dark cavern, in the corner of my bedroom, full of magic and excitement.
It was filled with my toys and games. I wrote letters to Father Christmas. He gave me everything I asked for. Later, Ma and Pa kept my cupboard filled with all I wanted. They thought I would love them more. My love doesn't work like that.
In my teens I painted the cupboard black. It was where I stored all my IT equipment and explored worlds with my virtual reality kit. Ma and Pa learned not to disturb me.
They aren't here now. I have the whole house but I only use my bedroom and my cupboard.
I show friends my cupboard and new toys. We play. When I get bored, I put them away.
Alex was like me. We met online. We shared stuff. I invited Alex over.
It wasn't unusual having someone else in my bedroom, but Alex reacted differently. Alex wanted to look in my cupboard. I liked to show off my treasures. I put out the light and opened the cupboard doors.
Alex dived inside and grabbed some of my toys. I was surprised. The others hadn't behaved like that. Usually there was screaming, until I finished playing.
Alex had me trussed up quickly, an unusual feeling, but I thought it might be interesting for a change. But Alex didn't want to play anymore.
I was locked in the dark cupboard. I like the dark.