Tag: death

All Stories, Fantasy

This Death by Margaret LaFleur

literallystories2014

He found her sitting in a tree. Her legs dangled over the edge, her dusty feet kicking back and forth. It had taken him a while to find her. It wasn’t as simple as it usually was. Each hourglass of life came with coordinates, of course. The tiny numbers ascribed on the bottom gave approximate locations. It wasn’t a perfect system. Humans weren’t as predictable as, say, ants. Things had gotten tricky when they domesticated the horse, for example. It had gotten worse with the engine. Obviously airplanes had kicked things into gear. But the hourglass makers, those bright-eyed creatures, were quick to adjust. They usually got it in the ballpark.

Continue reading “This Death by Margaret LaFleur” →

All Stories, Crime/Mystery/Thriller, General Fiction, Short Fiction, Writing

Understanding John by Hugh Cron

gwencron

I have no friends but the words talk to me. They don’t say what I read, they say something else.

When I was young I read what I heard. I was diagnosed as being dyslexic but I ignored everyone and concentrated on listening to the words. I hid in that diagnosis for many years.

Sometimes the words make me smile, sometimes they make me cry but most of all they make me curious.

Continue reading “Understanding John by Hugh Cron” →

All Stories, General Fiction

A Diner and The Cello by Tina Klimas

literallystories2014

From outside the coffee shop across the road, Julia watches Charlie Miller leave the diner. It starts to snow again and if she narrows her vision to exclude all else, she can almost believe that she is looking at an idyllic scene. Snowflakes drift softly through the golden glow emanating from the diner window. Waitresses move about inside with coffee pots, amid the chattering, happy diners. Charlie Miller, in jeans and cowboy boots, plaid flannel shirt poking out from a nondescript brown jacket, completes this perfect portrait of nostalgic Americana. But then he pauses outside the diner and crosses his arms in a tight knot across his chest.  He stares straight ahead, as if he is viewing hell. The image of blood and clotted brain-matter leaps up before her eyes. She stuffs it back into the box too small to hold it, only to wait for the demented jack-in-the-box to spring again.

Continue reading “A Diner and The Cello by Tina Klimas” →

All Stories, Crime/Mystery/Thriller, General Fiction, Writing

White Is Best by Hugh Cron. Warning – Strong Adult Content.

gwencron

I wanted to drink its blood.

Because it never wanted to know me.

But I didn’t bite.

Continue reading “White Is Best by Hugh Cron. Warning – Strong Adult Content.” →

All Stories, Crime/Mystery/Thriller, General Fiction, Short Fiction

Impact by Hugh Cron – Adult Content.

gwencron

“Someone once said that life prepares you for what it throws at you.

Man O’ fuck! That’s a very wise and comforting thought for coping.

Continue reading “Impact by Hugh Cron – Adult Content.” →

All Stories, Fantasy, General Fiction

Eternity of Descent by A. Elizabeth Herting

literallystories2014

He promised to keep me safe.

A promise that turned out to be total and complete bullshit. Brent also vowed to be faithful, stick around in sickness and health and a bunch of other things that went by the wayside the moment he decided to tell me about his ridiculous, “mid-life crisis” indiscretion.

Continue reading “Eternity of Descent by A. Elizabeth Herting” →

All Stories, Science Fiction

Brought Back By Michael Sherrin

literallystories2014

Denise organized the chairs in a circle, each no more than six inches apart. She sorted the donuts on the tray so each had its own space, none touching. The coffee was positioned to allow for steady traffic and conversation.

Denise smiled and watched each person enter the room, grab donuts, gulp coffee, and slid chairs out of position. She stayed silent, reminding herself this was part of the healing process.

Continue reading “Brought Back By Michael Sherrin” →

All Stories, General Fiction, Humour, Short Fiction

Mannie The Moocher by Hugh Cron – Warning – Strong Language.

gwencron

Alan joined his sister.

“You OK Trish?”

“I’m getting there. I’m no good with this.”

“I know, you can’t handle a hamster dying never mind anything else.

Continue reading “Mannie The Moocher by Hugh Cron – Warning – Strong Language.” →

All Stories, General Fiction

Concerto by Dorian J. Sinnott 

literallystories2014

Strings

Whenever she heard even the softest draw of a bow across the strings, her heart would break. She knew the music wasn’t his, but she couldn’t escape the haunting melody that repeated in her head. Over and over, without pause. A never-ending minuet bringing her to tears.

Continue reading “Concerto by Dorian J. Sinnott “ →

All Stories, General Fiction, Humour

Laying Vivian to Rest by dm gillis

literallystories2014

It was a big box joint, out on a low overhead stretch of highway. The pink neon sign arching over the entrance to the parking lot read CRYPTS, a division of Marshal Memorial Inc. Below that was a flashing white neon sign reading Drive-Thru. I drove on, and waited in line for the order window. There was only one car ahead of us, a red Cadillac, circa 1975. The driver had been talking into a speaker next to his driver’s side window for several minutes, before two men arrived at the passenger side of the car with a gurney. Opening the car door, they pulled the body of an elderly man out of the car. He wore a rumpled brown suit and only one shoe. The two men placed his body onto the gurney, while the driver watched and waved a slow, sad good-bye. Then the dead old man was wheeled away, as a slot below the speaker spat out a paper tape and credit card that the Cadillac man took, before he drove away.

Continue reading “Laying Vivian to Rest by dm gillis” →