Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Fiction.
Hanna, The Barberian, and the Quest of the Four Portals
(Virga) : Last time on Hanna, The Barberian... The barbaric fool and her followers REALLY thought they had caught me! What self-respecting sorceress only generates ONE magical portal to allow chase? The flippant fools were dumped off to waste their time on a forest picnic; until that distraction no longer amused me. Not even the heroes know where they're going this time! And if that doesn't count as my first, and only necessary, victory, then what does anymore...?
By Kent Brindley5 years ago in Fiction
JACK OF DIAMONDS
Chap 5 - Pt 3 BUT IN A PRINCELY HOME THERE SITS The Gardens of Marlborough Estate were close to an acre in size. Broken and discarded paving stones were used to make the Estate's walking paths, with small benches and cozy alcoves built in the later years for reading, talking, (perhaps an evening tryst during one of the many gala Balls), the benches lined up along the footpaths and under the cover of a dozen willow trees. Built nearly a hundred and fifty years ago, time has helped establish the natural wonders of the Gardens more handily than any landscaper, or gardener, employed by the Estate could have ever hoped to accomplish.
By ben woestenburg5 years ago in Fiction
The Jacket
Austin stared through the neon-illuminated window at the sparsely filled tables inside. Mostly random assortments of families; overly stressed parents staring into the half-eaten burger clenched in their hands while their children squatted in the plastic booths, stuffing handfuls of cold, overly-salted fries into and around their mouths. A few booths of teenagers, each more interested in the electronic device in their hand than their food or company. One woman sat alone in the purple, plastic swivel chair of a small back corner table. Each individual item was arranged neatly on her tray and she took a bite of one after the other in a meticulously ordered pattern. He watched her, trying to imagine her life story. He decided she lived alone. It didn’t take much to see that. She had tried having roommates, but they didn’t suit her nor she them. She had been engaged once, he believed, but the guy had run off a month before the wedding leaving little more than a brief note stating that it wasn’t her it was him and that he just couldn’t go though with it. She had found out a week later that he had moved in with his business partner, a woman ten years his junior, in the next town over and they were planning on marrying in the fall. Maybe they were having a child together too. Austin decided the woman had tried to move on, going on several dates immediately after with men her mother had set her up with, sons of her bingo friends, but nothing went past a first date. She had always hoped they would call, but they never did. Since then she had kept to herself, spending nights at home with her small dog, a Yorkie, maybe a Shih Tzu, and watching obscure mystery dramas on a television she had purchased at the local thrift shop. He decided it was a sad existence. He decided she would probably kill herself before her next birthday. And, finally, he decided that he would gladly trade places with her.
By Megan Clancy5 years ago in Fiction
Hanna, The Barberian, and The Quest Into The Four Portals
(Hanna) Last time on ME... My friends and I overcame a minor obstacle to finally catch up to Virga, the Winless Wizardress, and attempt to prevent yet another of her plans from success. She did slip away again. Nonetheless, her magic also caused us to FOLLOW! What madness is this? Did she truly slipup so...?
By Kent Brindley5 years ago in Fiction
Hanna, the Barberian, and the Quest into the Four Portals.
From the author... The very recent BluRay release of "Thundarr, the Barbarian" has awakened in me the desire to try my hand at a cross between FanFiction and gross parody. Even as a vintage animation nerd, I know that not many like me will remember "Thundarr..." However, I hope that the very name "Hanna, the Baberian" invokes SOME idea of exactly what I will parody in the next coming volumes of FanFiction infamy. Enjoy...
By Kent Brindley5 years ago in Fiction
The Process of Breaking Free
Time spent in a kitchen is therapy and every task completed is equivalent to an hour on the couch. Bertha is past due for a long session. She plans accordingly and tells her husband they will be having a homemade Italian meal for dinner. He does not listen as usual; either that or he chooses not to respond. There is not much of a difference. Without a word in her direction, he leaves for work, not bothering to make sure the old wooden door is fully closed behind him. Bertha locks herself into her homely retreat and, leaning against the door, closes her eyes. Bertha has been waiting for this solitude all weekend and, at long last, takes her first full breath since Friday.
By Calista Marchand-Nazzaro5 years ago in Fiction
The Unexpected Visitor
Here is a fictional short story about an unexpected visitor with a twist. ... My hands molded the dough. Flour seeped into my fingernails as I turned the dough over. I placed the soft succulent mixture into a tin and put it into the oven before rinsing my hands under warm running water, drying them quickly on a towel. I drank the rest of the red wine from my glass and quickly wiped down the grey marble worktop cleaning the specs of flour off with a damp cloth. The trilling of the doorbell made me jump as my ginger head hit the saucepans hanging from the canopy.
By Denise Larkin5 years ago in Fiction
Lies and Omissions excerpt
This is an excerpt from Lies and Omissions, on Amazon for Kindle (link). It is part of the first chapter. After practice, Nick went home and grabbed a quick shower. He jogged back out to his car and headed to the Dixon house. He hopped out of the car and walked to the door. When he knocked, Sharon, Nicole’s mom, answered the door. She ushered him in and let him know that Nicole would be down in just a minute.
By L. Lane Bailey5 years ago in Fiction
The End of Us
*TW: occurrence of miscarriage “This isn’t going to work,” I say, staring at the lanes of traffic in front of us. The harsh drone of the spinning cement mixer on our truck drowns out the bustling city noise and the panic in my head. I’ve been meaning to say it for days, weeks maybe. Mitch lets out a sigh.
By Megan Clancy5 years ago in Fiction
They Whispered of Mangoes
"Celeste..." Yes, I hear you. Where are you? The alabaster sand is hot, like the moment you pull out laundry from the dryer—that snuggling, soothing warmth. The sand is so soft that it feels like silk against my soles. Free of grit and cigarette butts—pristine.
By Meredith Bell5 years ago in Fiction
