Author: literallystories2014

General Fiction, Short Fiction

Little Swimmers or Kleine Schwimmer  by SJ Butler

literallystories2014

The stillness of a dimly lit swimming pool. Rays of light pouring down from the garland wrapped windows above like searchlights seeking out shipwrecked sailors. The 1930s decor of women triumphantly holding blazing torches reminds her of the Nazis. Briefly gazing up at their determined faces she wonders if they ever had doubts – the stupid Nazis that is. A whiff of chlorine makes her eyes stream. She wipes them childlike with milk-white forearms.

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Fantasy, Horror

The Navvy’s Bargain by Matthew J. Richardson

literallystories2014

‘I’m sorry,’ said the waiter. ‘Do I recognise you?’

‘Shouldn’t have thought so,’ replied Robert. ‘I imagine I have the same face as any other holiday canaller, one whose week has become a search for water points and a battle with the bilge pump.’

Robert looked across to where Sylvie was staring pursed-lipped into the pub’s log burner.

‘Brave,’ continued the waiter, who judging by the empty tables surrounding them was not overworked. ‘Navigating the Llangollen in January.’

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Short Fiction

Seeing Double by Ross Dyter

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“Why is he still breathing?” The oddly familiar male voice, cuts through the fog of my mind.

“I’m sorry Sir.” A softer female voice replies.

“Do you know how many laws we’re breaking with me being here while he is still breathing?”

“Yes Sir. But—”

“No buts. This is never supposed to happen. Do you know who I am?”

“Of course, Sir. Mr Carmichael.”

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General Fiction, Short Fiction

Bird by Danielle Burke

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We are gathered here. Waiting for the opportunity. The younger one thinks we are loathsome, ignorant creatures, but the old woman knows better. 

***

Ava Nash finally possessed almost everything she knew she deserved. 

She thought back to the winter, to the morning her landlord, Philip, had accosted her. 

“Don’t think I’m going to be persuaded once again by you blinking those pretty blue eyes at me, unless there’s going to be more to follow,” he leered. “Rent’s due by tomorrow at 3:00. If it’s not in my hand by then, we’re going to have to work out another arrangement.” 

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All Stories, Fantasy, Short Fiction

A Thing about Spiders by Alex Faulkner

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I was surveying the sandy beach laid out before me from a vantage point on the clifftop. I’d been hiking for hours, days on end, along the coastal path. It was late in the century. Herring gulls and fulmars rode the thermals of the summer’s day and I was thinking about the latest spiders.

The creepy beasts have a long and honourable history, beginning in the depths of ancient time. But it was millennia before we were able to unleash their true potential.

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All Stories, General Fiction

Minute by Robert Reece

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That goddamn Buick screamed around the corner with its rusted chrome hubcaps shooting off like flying saucers from Plan 9 from Outer Space. Talia’s face and her yellow whiskey eyes came to me in that frozen millisecond like an old 3D image in a ViewMaster. I can’t remember what she said when she left me the night before, but there were those eyes from the day we met four years ago, and that’s what I saw as the tires smoked skidwild across the asphalt, and the cracked tri-shield hood ornament narrowed down as a laser reticle focused on its target, which was me. But I was late because Talia took the alarm with her when she left, and I had to take the commuter train, which was delayed that morning by a single minute due to a signal malfunction.

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All Stories, Science Fiction

For the Good of the Company by Chaz Osburn

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When news broke this morning that the Chloe Dunham, the largest and most powerful freighter in our company’s fleet of intergalactic transporters, had disappeared following an intense storm in the Outer Belt, I did what any good chief executive officer would do. I called a press conference.

You don’t get to be a president of one of the largest mining and exploration businesses in the sector without being pro-active. I was thinking of my company’s reputation. Over the years I had attended countless media training sessions—this is a dangerous business—and I knew it was my job to get out in front of the story and do everything in my power to control the narrative. That’s the only way to negate bad publicity.

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All Stories, sunday whatever

Sunday Whatever: The Faith So Great by Dale Barrigar

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“My cup runneth over.” – David

Many who love Leonard Cohen and his most famous song, “Hallelujah,” are not aware that the song is a STORY SONG about the biblical character of David.

David is a religious figure for billions of people on the planet; he is, for sure, a historical figure; and he’s considered in this essay as a literary character, mostly.

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All Stories, General Fiction

Kicking It by James Blindell

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The match is in full flow, 22 teenagers running around the frozen pitch, a few desperate to get the ball and some desperately hiding from it.   To absolutely nobody’s surprise, we are 2-0 down after ten minutes.  I’m not arsed about the score, though.  It’s the ten minutes thing that’s doing my head in.  80 more bastard minutes of him.  In actual fact, the match will be stopped and an ambulance frantically called before halftime, but who’s to know at this point?

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All Stories, Fantasy, Short Fiction

Insert Coin by Ari Derin

literallystories2014

There is something about the feel of a coin. It’s that cool heavy feeling. I had a year’s worth of Alcoholics Anonymous coins in my pocket, and I jingled them as I walked down this country road.

The concrete road was cracked and unmarked, and the sky was darkening. A few hundred meters ahead stood what looked like an old-timey photo booth.

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