Originally submitted in the Owl Canyon Press Short Story Hackathon 5, where the first and last paragraphs are supplied. Writer A and B each pick an ending and then alternate writing paragraphs 2 – 49 so that they end on their respective ending. Below are paragraphs 26 – 50A & 50B. Walking, turning into a…
A Beautiful, Thorny Rose
Originally submitted in the Owl Canyon Press Short Story Hackathon 5, where the first and last paragraphs are supplied. Writer A and B each pick an ending and then alternate writing paragraphs 2 – 49 so that they end on their respective ending. Below are paragraphs 1 – 25. No coverage, not even one bar;…
Audra In Part
The weather reflected in her soul impacting the color of her eyes. It was clear even through video calls. Part of him wondered if she was the daughter of mother nature, she didn’t after all ever know her mother. It was thoughts like this that filled Peter’s head in and out of sleep during the…
Hugs and Stitches (Part 2)
As expected Jamie was 50 minutes late or 5 minutes early depending on your perspective. After the initial back and forth decided what day and time the fitting should be, Jamie had sent a calendar invite for an hour earlier than what they agreed upon. While Evelyn had been sure she was just trying to…
Hugs and Stitches
Her cheeks flushed. She could feel the heat prickle against her skin. That’s what you’re proud of, she could hear them thinking. Each disparaging thought more pronounced between the flashing dots. Jamie was still typing. It could go on forever. Evelyn locked her screen. The text thread disappearing behind a screen of black. The longest,…
Behind the Apple Tree
They had the same face, rounded, almost heart like, that swooped into a soft point at their chin. Big eyes perfectly spaced from the starting swoop of a buttoned nose. Plump cheeks that added a sweetness and highlighted lips that sat in a perpetual smile. Both a lopsided half of a heart, together they were the…
Family Planning
Originally posted back in 2018 as part of, John Eats Alaskan Pie, the background of the Florin Clan as well as John and Mrs. Loeber’s involvement is touched upon in this part of the story. John Eats Alaskan Pie continued to creep me out, enough that it bore a second look, and was then split…
Santa Daddy
“Ho Ho Ho,” his gruff voice scratched against my ear. I had taken my little brother to see Santa before he met up with his friends. Apparently he had reached the age where it was uncool to believe and even less cool to hang out with your sister at the mall. Not that I had…
John Eats Alaskan Pie
Originally posted back in 2018, John Eats Alaskan Pie, has continued to creep me out for 5+ years. Enough so that I gave it a second look. It has been broken up into two stories (Family Planning* and John Eats Alaskan Pie). A chilling read perfect for this frightfully cold and Wintery weather! John had…
What do we know about Palmer?
The screen jumped from a woman in a tailored dress, her hair in a taught ponytail that swayed slightly in the breeze, in front of a blurred building backed with bright blue skies and small, fluffy clouds to a closely cropped headshot. The stark white background made the woman’s titled head pop off the screen….