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Latest Stories

January 12, 2026
Fantasy Stories Garry Harman

Podmate

Looking out from under cover, the hungry creature’s sensors twitched nervously as it searched for danger. It was dark and that was good. How long it would stay dark was a mystery. Often, the bright light came slowly, soothingly. Sometimes it came suddenly and…
January 12, 2026
Poetry Markus J

Aussie Animals

kevy the big red male kangaroo impressed the girls with a manly woo out to set hearts on fire wore his best bushie attire as he blew on his didgeridoo wally the hairy nosed wombat was very hairy, round and fat waddled when he walked loudly screeched when he…
January 12, 2026
General Stories Lesley Brown

Temple De La Sibylle

Rebecca was smoking a cigarette at a brasserie in the 17th arrondissement of Paris. She had always dreamt of moving to Paris, but she shared her dogs with her ex-wife, Hae Jung, back in New York and couldn't bear to part with them. She resigned herself to the…
January 12, 2026
Crime Stories Tom Kropp

Robbers And Rapists Ruffians

Bruno's story starts out in 1773 on a London dead end street when Brita stomped on his feet. There was no warning as she dashed past the alley and crashed into Bruno. The breath was buffeted from her body and her head clipped his chin. Bruno was bounced back…
January 10, 2026
Fantasy Stories Garry Harman

Alien Speaker

The Speaker loitered outside the Speaking Nest, floating effortlessly in the thick atmosphere. Small webbings keeping him stable, eyes constantly goggling for food or danger. He took a glance to inspect his armor. In good condition, gleaming and delightful to…
January 10, 2026
General Stories Tom Kropp

Greg’s Grievous Grudge

The man who used the fake identity of JB Strand sat in his little hotel room alone, smoking crack and drinking. His early years haunted him. His mom had been a junkie prostitute that left a map work of scars across his back from cigarette cherries and…
January 10, 2026
Fantasy Stories Garry Harman

Grey Leader

“Blue Leader to Grey Leader. You there, Pappy?” “Roger, Blue Leader. Can’t you see me?” It was getting dark. Grey Leader was happy to be difficult to spot. Being seen could be fatal. Blue Leader and his flight were cruising in close formation, but not too…
January 10, 2026
Flash Fiction Tom Kropp

School Shooter Stopped

"Scot! You have to get to the tech school now! There's a shooter waiting outside right now! He's waiting for the period to end and ambush students! He's got an Uzi machine pistol and another pistol!" Sharon informed Scot. "Name and location?" Scot inquired…
January 10, 2026
General Stories Michael Barlett

Klondike

1897 CHAPTER ONE The brakes on the Sierra steam locomotive screeched as the train pulled into the Townsend Street Depot in San Francisco. When it lurched to a stop, a man carrying a black leather valise grabbed hold of a stanchion to steady himself.…
January 10, 2026
Flash Fiction Matias Travieso-Diaz

Year End Reckoning

The doors of the temple of Janus Quirinus …the Senate decreed should be closed on three occasions while I was princeps. Augustus, Res Gestae, Chapter 13 I always find the days between Christmas and New Year to be the most trying span of time in the entire…
January 05, 2026
General Stories Cody Wilkerson

Faith Valentine

With the day just getting started I’m excited for work. Today we receive our weekly mission at my job. I have been groomed into the family business, the perfect child, growing up excelling at everything. But a rebel at heart. When it comes to the job, no one…
January 05, 2026
Fantasy Stories M. R. Blackmoor

Mermaids And Sirens

...when a storm was coming on, and they anticipated that a ship might sink, they swam before it,and sang most sweetly of the delight to be found beneath the water, begging the seafarers not tobe afraid of coming down below.Hans Christian Anderson, The Little…

Dear Harold,

It was real good to see you the other night. Not many guys would have bought a girl pretzels on a first date. To me it was a real sign of you. Like a statement, I guess you would say.

Anyway, I think you should not be too embarrassed because your fly stuck open at the dance. I don't think people noticed. They looked at you and laughed because of that funny joke you told I am sure. I felt bad you had to explain it three times to those dummies at our table. But some folks just are not too swift you know.

Thank you too for your real sweet apology. I have to admit I have never danced with a man who sweat so much. And you are right. It was uncomfortable when it rolled down my shoulder. But a strapless dress is a risk and I do appreciate your concern.

You also don't have to worry about how the corsage got pinned. It didn't go too deep and the dress is washable. Cold water works wonders.

You are an unusual man, Harold. I have never known anyone like you before. I think sometimes people do not appreciate eccentricity for the gift that it is. Doing rumba moves to that waltz might be frowned on in some circles, but believe me it sets a person apart.

 

Also, I have to say I enjoyed the special effort you made to make the evening magic. I really did not mind changing the tire, so please don't worry about that. I know you couldn’t see that Don't-Back-Up sign because of how fogged up your glasses got.

Well, Harold, I'm running out of time. And of things to say. It's not often I do this with someone after only one date, believe me. When your hardware convention comes to town again, please look me up.

Your friend, Roseanne

 

Dear Harold,

It was nice of you to send me the can of mixed nuts and I only hope you’re not making some sort of statement about me and my friends. Knowing you, however, that is not likely so I guess it is just me. In any case, I should know by now that this is just right in keeping with the you of you, as my friend Swami Phil says.

I’m real sorry to hear that the tie I gave you got caught in the key making machine. I cannot believe people laughing at you about that, Harold. It is a shame they do not know you the way I do.

Did you like the box of chocolates I sent?

I look forward to your visit.

Hugs, Roseanne

 

 

Dear Harold,

Gosh, if I had known that your were allergic to macadamia nuts I would never have sent that particular can to you. Has the swelling gone down? Is the rash still there? People can be so cruel laughing because your scalp got bigger and the toupee wouldn’t fit right.

Well I must go.

Love, Roseanne.

 

Dear Harold,

When you don’t write I think it is because you are angry. And if you are not then you should say so.

I liked the camping trip although it upset me that you forgot the tent poles and that the branches poked a hole in the side. Telling me the warranty would cover the damage after it started to rain did not make me feel better.

I have always said you were different, Harold, and you are.

All the best,

Roseanne

 

Dear Harold,

It has been a long time since I have written, I know, but I have my reasons. Like I told you when I drove you that extra 100 miles to the airport because you could get a cheaper flight from there, that about did me in.

I’ve come to feel you’re taking advantage of me. Now it was nice of you to give me the canned ham at the airport and all, but as I told you before it’s against  my religion.

Sometimes it seems you don’t listen to a thing I say. I’m going to a doctor here, well a counselor, and she says every person in the world, how many ever that is, has a different way of looking at things. But I don’t think you understand that because thinking back I recall that when I say something mostly you say ‘ah ha’ and then keep on as if I said nothing. Which really is not the way it is supposed to be.

Thank you for the fruitcake. But, Harold, if you send presents you ought to examine the package. I found a note in it from your Aunt Mildred written three years ago saying Merry Christmas.

I’ve concluded that you are so different as to be weird, something some of my friends have said for a long time.

The truth is I am fed up. So goodbye.

Roseanne,

PS: I loved you

 

End

 

www.cambriacreations.com

THE CUSTER CONSPIRACY

A Kindle Book tinyurl.com/mph4a3n

http://cigalelitmag.com/lorin-cary---silver-lining.html

http://www.decompmagazine.com/ice.htm

"Obsession" is in Torrid Literature Journal XII

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