Don't Eat the Messenger

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Work intrudes more and more into our home life. Even meals.

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…themselves delicately on the salad. As Collin G watched them, they moved again, and then a third time into a different pattern.

“Damn headquarters. Can’t I even have a meal in peace?” Collin reached into the pocket of his dark blue flight suit for his military-issue pad and took down the message. Studying the flakes, he murmured, “Anything else, Cappy?”

The flakes moved again, paused long enough for Collin to scribe his staccato black letters, then they coalesced into a single dark stack and jumped into his coat pocket…

By Lyndi Alexander

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Jeremy

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…rolls over in bed, legs and arms sore. His head still misty from his day prior. The sun has started rolling its beams of light through the window. His blinds do little against the cascade of morning light.

His dog, Tidus, barks and whimpers at the foot of the bed. Tidus is making it very clear that he wants to go outside, and requires someone with thumbs to make that a reality. Jeremy, however, refuses to donate his thumbs. This is a day that he wants little to do with.

The night before had been busy. Jeremy was in charge…

By Jason Garden

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Golden Bangle

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This is all about a family life where golden bangle plays a major part in their distress

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…my subsistence drew closer both rundown and lavish clientele. I dole out for all to meet the requirements of the human race. From the golden hands of the artists to the much caretaking merchant’s shelf and from the shelf to the wrist, my journey ends in the furnace to be re-shaped for future use. I bear within me the entire world. From parental home to in-laws, the ride leaves behind footprints of reminiscences. The destitution of its donor on one hand and imperceptible…

By Mushtaque B Barq

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Inka's Curse Part 15: Practice

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…I guess. You haven't been the oddest creature so far. Not even the centaurs... I think I saw a mythical dragon recently. The forest had instantly frozen in fear as he latched on to the dead bear. He proclaimed to me that not all creatures are bad like not all humans are good then he flew away with a bear my sword killed.”

“That had to be a fantastic dream. Dragons are extinct or at least they have vanished from this country.”

“I know. The last time anyone encountered a dragon has been over a hundred years ago. It…

By Cristina Collazo

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Fear

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…stared hard at her. “You don’t look that scary.”

She snickered and tilted her head to the side, as if to acquiesce. “I get that a lot.”

She waved her hand nonchalantly in the direction of the Ferris wheel that had suddenly appeared. “After you...”

“Uh...wait. Hang on. I take it back. You’re extremely intimidating and... and... WAIT. NO!” He shrieked as she gingerly rested her hand on his shoulder and he begins to walk towards the carnival contraption against his will.

His eyes rolled back in his head and he begins to wail in earnest as his body…

By L.E.

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Inka's Curse Part 14: Rachel

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…inspect the bodies to see if anyone’s still breathing.

We slayed them but one. He instantly disappeared and I have no idea what his true form is. I don’t think I saw it. She didn’t see him either. I do know he was the one that bites the guard in the neck.

“Let me go with you. I can protect you.”

“Why?”

“I don't know why. I just know it’s urgent.”

“It’s about the enchanted sword. They saw it’s true form. I bet you do too.”

“I do but that’s not it. Believe me.”

“I don’t think I can do…


By Cristina Collazo

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Signal Fires: The Inundation

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The last stand and ..hope.

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…alight all along the watchtowers of the black Dreamscape Wall. I extort brilliant the banners as yet unfurled, that my courage will suffice for the glory of the forthcoming invasion. We must hold the salon till the breaking dawn. The foundation stone must anew its self. Awaken! My heart cries. The for death is at hand and seeks to destroy my spirit!

All is quiet behind closed doors, but the city sleeps in a restless dream. However, you will, divine some scary signs before the black Dreamscape Wall and pray the gods to hear your…

By RayFed

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Inka's Curse Part 13: Centaurs

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…shiver crawling up my back and my spine. Then one the men scream out. He is being assaulted by one of the men…

The guards try to stop him. A fight breaks out. The man begins transforming. He becomes a centaur. His nostrils were flared wide. 

I struggled to pull out my sword, whipping around as I felt hot breath on my neck. 

My heart stopped as I was suddenly encountering another centaur. 

“Give me the sword, or I’ll take it after stomping you to death.” His front horse legs lifted up. A smirk crossed his face. 

Next, to him…

By Cristina Collazo

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Adelaidean Gothic

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…was a certain middle age, white male, straight, Sports Reporter (yes its a cliche but some cliches are true) who thought he was a real laydeez man. No, it was not the ex-footballer, he was the polite and respectful one. This other dude liked to chat up and talk smutty smut with anything remotely female. You know the type.

One of my co-workers, who I will call Kay, was a cool young female, older than me, who dressed a little alternative and had good taste in bands. She would never go along with his smut talk, unlike some of the…


By Melvin Fechner

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Inka's Curse Part 12: An Attack

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…tighten the fur coat Ruth carefully provided me. The coat is uncomfortable bulky, but it keeps me warm and hidden.

A frail boy is walking tiredly around the square ringing a bell and shouting, “Fire, fire!”

“What are you talking about?”

“Near the entrance, some outsiders started some trouble.”

I continue anxiously on my way as he shouts frantically. 

Walking along the ruined wall I can see where it began. It didn’t get very far. The thick wood was damaged and stained blackly.

Chief surrounded by concerned civilians wanting answers. “There was an attempt to burn down the village. The…


By Cristina Collazo

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