Disclaimer: I do not own anything that you recognise. That applies to this chapter and the ones to follow it.
Author's note: I originally intended for this to be a series of nanofictions ("a type of flash fiction exactly 55 words long" -wikipedia) but I realised that a) if I added anything more to this first one it would be ruined, and b) I would probably not be able to keep my other ideas to exactly 55 words - so here you go: a series of unnamed characters - some will be obvious, some will have multiple possibilities. Tell me who you think they are but most importantly: enjoy it :)
Substitute
He stares at the intricately carved figurine in his hand.
Just one word, one syllable, and his delicately arched brow. "Why?"
And she laughs, a small sound of silver bells and joy and life, of silly situations and crazy gifts and frogs.
"Instead of the skull."