Tag: short fiction
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The Witch Next Door
A simmer pot bubbled on the stove, filling the air with a cleansing citrus smell while Madelyn scrubbed down the kitchen sink. Above her hung rows of drying herbs and cluttered along her countertops were jars of various spices, herbs, and freshly canned vegetables she had grown in the garden. On the table was a…
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The Edge of the World
The crashing of the waves at the base of the cliffs was like static to Lex, loud but easily tuned out, as she stood gazing out to the west. Sea birds circled overhead, calling out to one another in a cacophony that was much harder to ignore than the waves. The sun dimmed as it…
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A Portrait of Marlow
“I heard you painted the portrait of my brother’s wife.” “Y-yes my lord,” Argus answered as he bowed before the opulent throne where Maverick, one of the twelve lords of Drear, sat lazily stroking the gray cat in his lap. He was a tall thin man, with sharp features and long limbs that reminded him…
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A Day of Work
Patience. …patience. I snip and snip and snip at the fibers until they are reasonably small so that they won’t get caught in the blades of the blender. On and on until the blisters start to form at the base of my index finger where the handle of the scissors rub. Is it the arthritis…
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Awakened Nightmare
The door slammed shut as hot air wooshed past, threatening to singe the hair atop Simon’s head. The full weight of his body pressed against the door and he could hear the cracking and splintering of the wood on the opposite side. Closing his eyes tightly, he told himself that it was time to wake…
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Old Promises
Winnie was giddy with excitement. The portal to the mortal realm was not open very often and even rarer were insignificant pixies like herself given permission to visit. Her wings fluttered in anticipation as she stood at the entrance to the portal, pass in hand, to be inspected and sent through. “Name, and purpose for…
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Rebel Youths
The dial turned past the static to clear up the tone as a voice warbled, “Send me an angel… send me an angel… right now… right now…” A synthetic tone pulsed along with the words and the children bopped their heads along with the beat. Kitrin, the ringleader and operator of their ancient tech, grinned…
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Reclamation
The last thing Donovan remembered was the calm voice of the AI system reading off his vitals and then suddenly a ringing in his ears as the pressure dropped and a blinding light shone in his face. Muffled voices shouted commands as rough hands grabbed him by the shoulders and hauled him onto shaking legs…
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Tullia’s Escape
Tullia paced the stone floor of her uncle’s house. The plastered walls were covered with tapestries that helped muffle the echo of her steps as she stomped back and forth fuming with irritation. How her mother could have thought to have her married off to the likes of Euan Cowden was beyond comprehension. A more…
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The Dress
The harvest was being hauled in by carts and wagons pulled by oxen and burrows who bellowed good morning greetings to the passersby. Flocks of fowl squawked as they were chased round by children with switches and herding dogs. Women of all ages were poured into the streets, their baskets laden with goods to trade…
Paper and Rabbits 