Welcome to My Monday Minis.
This is where I review very short stories and flash fiction.
For today I’ll be telling you about Morning Warning
by A.M. Sawyer
I’m not sure if this would be categorized as suspense, horror, or paranormal. I would say all three as it has some of each.
Young Anthony drags himself out of bed and gets ready for school. It’s Friday and one week closer to the summer break.
After the usual race to beat his older sister, Rachel, to the bathroom, which he lost, and the fight over the TV remote with his big brother, Alex, which he also lost, it’s time to meet the school bus.
As usual, his sister and brother leave him at the door and he runs to catch up with them.
As they wait for the bus, Anthony notices how quiet it is, how still it is. He looks back up the long driveway to his house and sees the heavy green clouds. They cover the sky, hanging low to the ground.
Living in a tornado prone area, he’s so used to the tornado sirens going off all the time, he wonders if he should be worried by this calm. There are no sirens, but he becomes uneasy, then fearful. He really wants to go back to his house.
The author’s description of the weather is dead on. I’ve been through a few tornadoes, and how he describes the greenish clouds and the sense of foreboding they cause, brought back some vivid memories.
The family dynamics, with the older brother and sister teasing their little brother rings true. I am the youngest of six and was at my older siblings mercy.
As the weather takes an ominous turn, the author creates a sense of apprehension, of fear. It builds just like the storm does.
Morning Warning made me shiver.
Though a short story, the writing is powerful, and the author gave me quite a surprise with the conclusion.
I’m not sure what I was expecting, but the ending was a twister!
5 Stars
About the author
A. M. Sawyer has written several books, delving in poetry, humor, science fiction, and fantasy.
You can find out more at these links:
