Down at the Stream

Christy liked to perch above the little pool that burbled from an old stone culvert. If she stacked smoothed rocks just right, the water would rise a few more inches before spilling into the stream that went on to trickle through the horses’ paddock.
She wasn’t supposed to be in the paddock without her mother, but [...]

Inhaler

She inhales spirits. Not the throat-burning, belly-warming variety found in a bottle. No, she inhales the spirits of living beings.
It’s not the kind of thing one might notice. She does it a little at a time. If you’re lucky, you won’t meet her at all. Less luck, and you meet her once, feel off for [...]

The Assassin’s Resolution

Warm light flickered from the fireplace as she paged through the thin composition book. Neatly penned lettering filled the lines with observations and grievances. This client tried to shortchange her after the job was done. That client didn’t have the dates right. The year’s loose ends were tied tighter than a monofilament noose.
Except one. The [...]

Signs of Were: Part 4 (Conclusion)

Note: Some mild adult content. I’d rate it at PG-13
* * * * *

There’s no answer. I look around the room now that my eyes have adjusted to the different, wider view. Next to the wall, close to the door, I see a slumped form. Carson looks like he’s human still, but he’s in pain. [...]

Signs of Were: Part 3

***NOTE: There is some swearing in this excerpt.***

☼
Carson clutches his chest, gasps.
“Dad!”
He looks back to the boathouse pyre. I see a tear escape down his cheek, reflecting orange and red. He swings his fist in a wide arc. At first, I think he’s going to hit me. I flinch, but his hand swings past my [...]

Ceramic Hearts

It shines resplendent in the soft glow of the Christmas lights. Delicate filigrees traced in gold brushstrokes sweep across the creamy ceramic surface.
“You stole my heart a long time ago,” he whispers in my ear. “I want you to have this forever, to remind you.”
I turn the heart-shaped globe over in my shaking hands. Twenty [...]

Signs of Were: Part 2

… continued from Part 1
* * * * *
Mom falls to the floor, screaming and pulling her hair. I drop to my knees and try to hold her. She shakes me off.
“JAKE!!!” she howls. “No, no, no, no. Jake!”
Jake is my dad’s name.
“Mom. Mom! What is it?”
She’s incoherent. I’ve never seen her like this. Never.
“Marcella.” [...]

Signs of Were: Part 1

My folks always told me they were playing cards with friends. The babysitter would plop in front of the television while my brother and I worked up mischief in remote corners of the house. We’d wander to bed untucked, unkissed, and wonder why our parents never took us with them.
Tonight is different. It’s my twenty-first [...]

Cobalt: A Superhero With Byte

Comments appreciated!
“Cobalt” is a character I’m creating for a graphic novel concept. I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that she uses nano-technology to give her powers (hence the byte pun). Right now, she has an X-Men kind of look. I’m going to work on that. The first look I [...]

Horses Don’t Fly

“You got dewormer?”
I nod, barely looking at the customer, and lead him down the aisle. I can smell him follow. Dust, the faint tang of manure, feed, and something else I can’t identify. It’s kind of like decay and blood, but I’m not sure. Even though it’s been years since I’ve been on a farm, [...]