"Umm, there's no shoes allowed in here." The girl said, stretching long over her legs.

I'd been in the same room at least two dozen times and no one had ever complained until now but I just nodded and said, "No problem."

As I started peeling off the hee…

Caught while swimming with a friend

hauled up onto shore

chopped up and thrown in the fryer

and consumed with ketchup

dead, in a stomach.

I had cut through Liddell Park on my way to my girlfriend's flat. It wasn't the first time I'd tried to save time this way. Above the rounded tops of the trees, the summer sky was filled with wispy clouds like a cotton ball being stretched thin across the…

There wasn't much chatter to interrupt, nor people to stare, when I brushed the door open. This far out on the trail, there weren't many people left who could afford a night's stay.

I chose a quiet corner and waited for the barmaid to come over. Her eyes…

inchworm snaked up through the dirt

because he sensed the rain

but when he found himself in a shirt

he found it very plain

he was in a washing machine

He was a laid-back guy and didn't mind when the woman took control. He'd been working hard for three weeks and she'd had their entire wedding planned by the time he'd returned. There were some things that women were just better at doing.

He reflected tha…

Driven by a promise, through the dark and twisted tunnels of the Dewar and the misty mountains of the Jian, through shrouded wood of the Elhu and the gray hillocks of the Hob, I have come. Step by heavy, faltering step I have traversed such distance and b…

Story is marked as mature

7:55 AM

Students are breakfasted, bell rings, they begin their morning routines. Chat with them about their weekend, listen and offer advice.

8:30AM

Coworker Stress arrives, early, as usual, going on about something they wish they could change.

9:00AM

C…

She is eternally a lady. The creases of her dress will always be perfect. The curl of her hair will always lay just the way it should to catch the eye. She sits on a wrought-iron bench, her legs tucked neatly beneath her. Her hands are pressed in her lap …

“Not quite evil mother-in-law material but not fun either, I imagine.” I switched back to a happier subject. “When's your next performance, exactly?”

“Next Wednesday—a week from tomorrow.”

I blinked at the assertion that tomorrow was Wednesday. Such a s…

“Is this a day time or a night time thing?” I asked.

“Nights exclusively which is why I can go. Ralph and Grandma Jean stay in and watch the baby.”

“They don't come with you? Wait a minute, what baby?”

“My sister's kid.”

“Jesus, there's a fourth perso…

Boots first, Hable inched down toward the hatch, keeping his legs wrapped in a firm grip around the rope. It was bright again now that they had cleared the shade of the midrock. He ignored the rapidly growing view of Ambiter as they began to pick up desce…

Rachael's eyes could not focus. Where was the glass wall? Where was the bathroom door? It all appeared to be in a fog. The stripes slowly rose up the vanity. The thrumming fan and her syncopated heartbeat lulled her into a vague, uneasy gray of dissociati…

Story is marked as mature

Marcy was dark. Not just dark, but a shade of black that was blacker than any shade of black that you could possibly dream up. She played bass guitar too. Well. Which was part of her charm. Part of the immense and dark charm that she had. She exuded it on…

Shut up Shut up Shut up

I don’t want to hear your whining anymore

I don’t want to hear your excuses

What the heck do you think was going to happen?

The blind don’t lead the blind

What were you expecting with someone who doesn’t even have eyes?

Don't…

All roads lead to Glenwick Lane.

They led there because of her. The only women in Ireland I ever truly loved.

I never thought she loved me though. At least not as truly.

I spent wakeful night with my mind on her, comforted only by the Guinness in my gl…

There's a dog outside.

I didn't used to think much of him. Just thought he was a fluffy companion.

That didn't turn out to be entirely true though.

He also had... well, powers.

He had the face of a very learned Buddhist monk, I always used to joke to …

Grey hairs come from stress

Silver comes from wisdom

White hair, righteousness

And baldness if you miss them

Jovie wiped the blood from her upper lip. She was pretty sure it was hers and not her opponent's but in the rush of adrenaline she didn't feel pain. That would definitely be coming later though.

It was a quick one. She got her bell rung a couple times, t…

"You're afraid of me."

"Afraid? Afraid? No, I'm not afraid of you. I pity you. Pity that you sold the best parts of yourself for power. Pity that you lived eight more meaningless years. Pity that your family will never know what happened to you. My famil…

Bartholomew and Nicholas knew the time to hit the road was coming.

It was that season. Not only that, but the road was calling to them in a language few could understand.

They sold farm tools out of an old hearse. Not the most glamorous of jobs but a jo…

He hoped for a message. Something that would reassure him that they were still there. That things were OK. That plans were still in motion.

He got nothing.

Day after day he hoped the same hope and was met with silence. Well, not silence, but they were n…

The thunder boomed and the lightening flashed.

Unfortunately the Finnish god Ukko's heart just wasn't into it tonight.

Sure, there were ships on the Baltic sea he could tip over with rogue waves and sheer winds, but why? What was the point?

He felt los…