Recent stories
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Red Hairing
Communism really only works on paper. Don’t try to use Communism with plastic, wood, metal, or glossy paint surfaces. Communism is not engineered to be compatible with Windows 3.1 or later, or Mac OS 8.6. However, some Communism might work on your Vectrex…
Posted 7 years ago -
Let your Pages do the Walking
The King sent out a messenger into the Wide World to seek out information. The messenger did not return. So he sent out more than four hundred servants to seek the messenger out. The King then assembled these servants to inquire as to their progress.
KING…
Posted 7 years ago -
Anti-Biker Vows
All of us--Troy, Maxine, and I--made a solemn vow to protect the liter of wine from the biker gang. We set it down at the top of the stairs and kept a sacred vigil.
But then a hullabaloo started outside and the head of the gang, Sharpe, kicked down the f…
Posted 7 years ago -
To Scale
Somewhere out there, describing a perfect sphere at this point, is the very first radio transmission made by humans. Attenuated and weak, but detectable information in a sea of noise.
And after that comes the second radio transmission. And a third. The t…
Posted 7 years ago -
The Companions of Necessity
Tenever's reflexes were superb, and before Sadie could issue a warning he threw a firebolt that flashed across and-
The elf flicked a hand and the fire vanished in an instant, darkness returning to the cabin. Having done so, he stood calmly, clearly wait…
Posted 7 years ago -
Tongue Tied and Fluttering
Story is marked as mature
Posted 7 years ago -
Undercover Slayer
The tone sounded for break. I slumped into a chair with my coffee. Sipping it as it cooled, I noticed that I was not joined by any coworkers. Was there a staff meeting?
The door opened. I watched with interest, but it was only the postman.
"This needs a…
Posted 7 years ago -
It's Not A Green Thumb
The first day I saw it, it was just a little spot. Right over my left ring-finger knuckle. I thought maybe I had not washed well, or I got some ink on it from work.
The next morning my whole knuckle was green and looking a little fuzzy. I considered a tr…
Posted 7 years ago -
Still
Captain Chessington stood behind her desk, her face stern as she listened to the report from the Quartermaster.
"You are quite sure, Mr Jones," she queried, willing him to retract even a sentence of the report he had just made to her. "I'd best do this i…
Posted 7 years ago -
Food Fight?
"The cooks will not take such abuse from the swabs!" Chef's face was red, and he slammed his ladle into the round table.
"Your soup is little better than our mop-water!" screamed the chief swabbie.
"My steersmen and engineers can't stay awake, living off …
Posted 7 years ago -
No Second Chance
For weeks, the nightmare has been the same. The way the child's head snapped back, the scream of the mother as she cradled the lifeless form. For days I didn't even know if it was a boy or girl.
The officer's gun. It was an impulse move. I saw my torment…
Posted 7 years ago -
Destined to Disappear
"I am Togua, true leader of Avorhelis, and with this authority I banish Tyris from this city. His selfish acts have caused great devastation to our home. The direct deaths of dozens of citizens, as well as hundreds of injuries and damages are upon his hea…
Posted 7 years ago -
Femme Fatale
The medics found Minla unconscious next to a shattered vase, a small pool of water and a bouquet of exotic-looking flowers. One of them, taking pity, picked up the flowers as they loaded her up into the ambulance.
The attending doctor took the toxicology…
Posted 7 years ago -
Botanical Enigma
The doorbell chimed.
Confused, Mina rose from her chaise, disturbing her cat, who airily strode off to preen. She wasn't expecting anyone, nor any packages. Frowning to herself, she turned the deadbolt, twisted the knob lock, and slid the chain lock back…
Posted 7 years ago -
War of the Worlds
Special Report: Use of Coffee Authorised
Casualties are high in the sixth day of heavy fighting here on the desk. Coalition leaders have confirmed that tactical coffee strikes will be used to halt the advance of procrastination forces that remain a thr…
Posted 7 years ago -
The Choice of Companions
The morning did not improve Sadie's mood. There was the rare luxury of hot instant coffee with milk powder, but that was where the positive outlook ended.
A thin mist blanketed the surrounding Hills, reducing sunlight to a faint glow and visibility to a …
Posted 7 years ago -
Write On Fire
I wanna write on fire.
Not with fire like a sparkler in the night.
Not like some imaginary, magical way of literally writing on a fleeting flame.
Writing with abandon, with freedom, with vigor; that's what I want.
No more tiredness, mental fogginess, …
Posted 7 years ago -
Turn From Nothing
Nothing.
A vast expanse of unknowable darkness.
I saw it. My feet may have even dangled towards its embrace. Tiny shards, the whole of my heart broken long ago, tumbled easily down the well. Perhaps I should have grasped for them. Perhaps they will …
Posted 7 years ago -
Between Fire and Smoke
"How do you kill an Empress?"
I steeled the muscles in my face, and let my eyes rest on the man's shoulders. If this turned into a trap, I would make sure to take him with me into the void. Leaning back, I wormed myself into the chair's thick cushions, l…
Posted 7 years ago -
City Reds
Story is marked as mature
Posted 7 years ago -
Catch My Breath
Running. For years now, it has seemed that all I have been doing is running. Running from my life, my friends, my family, my job. Finally, a time has come when a break seems almost feasible. Slower and slower I ease up on my pace, until I am all but left …
Posted 7 years ago -
As The Wind Rolls In
A storm is approaching
it’s on the horizon
so cover your eyes now
and consume your poison
The harsh winds are blowing
the clouds are rolling in
the good Lord turns his back
as you commit your sins
Run from your problems
run so far away
it makes …
Posted 7 years ago -
Gone With the Wind
Chaos ensues. All that was once so eloquently placed is now thrown into the wind. The pieces land with no apparent rhyme or reason. An intrigued outsider may sit to the side and calmly observe those around him frantically scramble to create some form of d…
Posted 7 years ago -
Gunfire: The Encounter
Ryle appeared at my side in an instant, exuding a casual menace. His eyes were a searing inferno, a promise of violence that made others much more interested in listening to me.
The captain was affected, but not cowed. Not bad.
"You are a passenger aboa…
Posted 7 years ago -
Power-Grab
She watched from the bushes in cat form. The window was curtained, but her yellow eyes could see the magic rise into the air. She purred, her favorite part of this transformation. The magic rose like a blanket, rolling into a twist and smoothly slid throu…
Posted 7 years ago