Category: All Stories

All Stories, General Fiction

Hobie’s Sugar Still by Tom Sheehan

literallystories2014

Hobart Bridgewater, Hobie to most folks, was a freighter who promised delivery of whiskey to several saloons along the Snake River. “I go get it for you and bring it back, and then you pay me. If you don’t pay me, you don’t get the load and I don’t bring you no more. That’s all easy for you gents and tough for me. Some days out there on the trail I have to keep my rifle leveled and ready, that’s why I have the best shot in all the territory riding up there with me. Burke Molton ain’t never missed a target he took aim at, and that includes those three scallywags who tried us on for size on the river road just last week and he knocked two of them right off their mounts with two shots and them riding hard at us all the while and trying to get the best whiskey in the west from us at the point of their guns.”

Continue reading “Hobie’s Sugar Still by Tom Sheehan” →
All Stories, General Fiction

Rebirth by Martin Toman

literallystories2014

John coiled the rope thirteen times around itself to form the hangknot. The ridges of the knot felt strong, almost muscular, in his hands. John knew his knots. Working on farms will make you an expert in practically anything, or anything practical. He slid the noose open and held it at arm’s length, looked at it carefully: it’ll serve.

Continue reading “Rebirth by Martin Toman” →
All Stories, General Fiction

An Audience of One by Hugh Todd

literallystories2014

First stop was the bins by the pond. He parked the buggy and blew on his hands with little effect, except to bring on a coughing fit. He bent down to pick up a ketchup-stained PFC take away box, fumbling for a moment, edging the carton along the frosted path towards the pond railings. As he picked it up something caught his eye behind the railings; sunlight glinting off a shiny surface. For a minute his heart raced and he wondered if this was the knife from the attack outside the school last week. He instinctively looked around, but at 7:30am on a February morning Clissold Park was desolate. Lloyd was the only soul in there, with just wildlife for company.

Continue reading “An Audience of One by Hugh Todd” →
All Stories, Historical

Odyssey of a French Swordsman by Tom Sheehan

literallystories2014

“Who among you will swear to devote his life to country and crown? Stand you then and be appointed.”

He had stood up on that solemn occasion, had been counted, and subsequently dishonored and disparaged by his entire country, which quickly had gone under a different rule.

Continue reading “Odyssey of a French Swordsman by Tom Sheehan” →
All Stories, General Fiction

Whacky Ideas by Dave Henson

literallystories2014

One morning over coffee, Jessica says she wants us to take a horse to church. My wife doesn’t mean using the animal for transportation. She wants to walk a horse up the steps, down the aisle, and let it stand there during services.

Continue reading “Whacky Ideas by Dave Henson” →
All Stories, Science Fiction

Departure by Callum Rowland

literallystories2014

One night, five days before departure:

“I’m not staying for you,” Andrew says.

He lies next to me in bed, his eyes aflame, half-hidden by a lock of hair fallen across his brow. A bead of sweat carves a shimmering trail down his chest.

I prop myself up on one elbow.

“Then why? Soon there will be nothing to stay for.”

“The people, Sarah. Are they not worth staying for?”

I roll my eyes.

Continue reading “Departure by Callum Rowland” →
All Stories, General Fiction

Did You See the Tasmanian Devil? By James Hanna

literallystories2014

When I mention that I once spent a year in the island state of Tasmania, people look at me with interest and ask me the same question. A question as patented as Coca-Cola and as reflexive as a burp. “Did you see the Tasmanian Devil?” they say. They are probably thinking of that Looney Tunes critter that talks in growls and grunts—not that poor diseased marsupial that is practically extinct.

Continue reading “Did You See the Tasmanian Devil? By James Hanna” →