Klaxons. Klaxons everywhere. Truly this was it.

It was the dead of night, of course. They never attacked during the day. That was too obvious, and we'd see them coming a mile away -- on a cloudless day. (And even on overcast days, they always mysteriousl…

It's a nightmare to see you. If I catch a glimpse of you without warning, my heart gives a panicked lurch, like a frightened cat trying to bolt every which way at once. Yet I placed you on the face of my phone so that anytime I use it, I see you smiling, …

It soared out of midnight, all gas envelope and aerosolized Nightmare, propelled by only God knows what. It carried a tiny bomber bay, loaded with a lethality that would have made any nation quake to its roots, if any knew it existed.

The airship was bla…

I'm heading on a trip soon. I'm trying to be excited about it. I've got Pinterest boards, my suitcase is open and slowly being filled, plane ticket is paid for, nice people waiting for me when I get there... Honestly I should be thrilled!!

But then I get…

Story is marked as mature

Story is marked as mature

The face of the mask was ruined, of course, too, and steeped in sap. There was little hope it could be repaired, unless it were rebuilt, and that would be costly.

"Get up!" repeated the boss, Robenstein. He must have been half crazed; everyone could se…

Her poor body, weakened already by the roughness of the routine, gave way and was pinioned on the interior of the false head's neck, ripping the costume open and causing a greenish gush to flow onto the stage, catching weakly at the shards of glass left a…

The first leap was difficult. It was hard on her legs, for one thing, but she saulted backwards with all her skill. The first problem was the landing. Her legs were all right, but the prop head teetered backward sharply and cut a groove into her shoulders…

This could not last long. She'd known that even before the last cartoon had started. Time tapered to an endpoint. She gave herself a burst of strengthening fluids and entered into the lunges right on time, with as much zest as she could muster. The smilin…

The player piano began the "Yoo Hoo" song: Stalky's cue.

Her sibling held the curtain aside as she made her way to center stage, her right arm in the costume's sleeve, and her left supporting the large, mostly-hollow head. It was warm and muggy, and Stal…

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…