Mark Gagnon
Bio
My life has been spent traveling here and abroad. Now it's time to write.
I have three published books: Mitigating Circumstances, Short Stories for Open Minds, and Short Stories from an Untethered Mind. Unmitigated Greed is do out soon.
Achievements (1)
Stories (457)
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The Doctor Won’t See You Now
Am I being cynical? I’ll leave that up to you to decide. My point of view may be jaded because I’ve lived through changes that have brought us to what is now called Modern Medicine. It’s true that technology has transformed how people are being cured and that is amazing. However, is that all medicine is about?
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Longevity
Let’s Make a Deal
As I look back on the events of the last three days, I still can’t believe how fast my life has spiraled out of control. Everyone says a deal is a deal and once made, there is no going back. Most times I would agree, but let me explain what happened and see if you understand why I must renege.
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Horror
A Beautiful Thing
It has it all! The design incorporates sleek aerodynamic lines. The smoothly crafted body includes functional air scoops that feed a ravenous ram-induction power-plant. Fit and finish are flawless down to the micro millimeter. The interior, constructed of soft Corinthian Leather and brushed chrome, radiates luxury. However, there is no doubt in the observer’s mind that functionality has value over all else. Completing the package is a seven-speed, paddle-shift transmission, wide road hugging run-flat tires, and adaptive suspension.
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Fiction
The Minstrel
Kings, Queens, and nobles of all ranks love a good minstrel show. The common folk travel for miles just to watch me sing and play my lute. Draw bridges are dropped, so I may perform for the lord of the manor. No one denies me access, and no place is off-limits to me. It is a far cry from the way they treat me when my true visage is revealed. Of course, by then, it’s too late.
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Fiction
A Brief Conversation
Eight-year-old Billy sat on a counter stool in the local diner where his grandfather worked as a short-order cook. He was finally tall enough to eat his pie at the counter instead of sitting at a booth. In Billy’s mind, this shift of location signified a rite of passage. Truckers, factory workers, police officers, and even men in suits sat at the counter discussing grown-up things. Now he could at least be close enough to hear what they talked about.
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Journal
Trial by Fire
Brilliant hues of yellow, orange, and red pierced the evening sky, turning it from black to a faded purple. Such a beautiful and terrifying sight for all to see, but no one was there to bear witness. The neighborhood was devoid of people and pets. Only the security cameras remained, dutifully recording the sights and sounds of the impending doom. It was an abandoned world, save for one unsuspecting resident.
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Fiction
Glorious Moon
I watch impatiently as the moon breaches the horizon, forcing its light into the blackness. A flickering campfire draws the attention of everyone sitting around it. None of them are aware of the moon or their surroundings. I couldn't ask for a better scenario. With all the participants in place, my most important job at the moment is to control my desire.
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Fiction
3 Times 3 Times…
I’m not saying my parents were superstitious, but the one phrase I heard over and over growing up was, “Everything happens in threes.” If someone in the family died, there appeared to be unofficial odds makers taking bets on who the next two relatives would be to expire. It seemed bizarre at the time, but after recent events, I’m not as skeptical as I once was.
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Fiction
Words Take Flight
Zhang Wei is a tinkerer, inventor, and dreamer. He really has no business serving in General Meng Tian’s Great Army, but King Qin Shi Huang dreams of unifying China and Zhang wants to be part of it. Besides, the General is a builder like Zhang, so he feels they are kindred spirits. The General is committed to building a great wall that will protect China from the Mongols, while Zhang is experimenting with capturing the wind. For everyone’s dreams to be fulfilled, General Meng’s army has to first defeat Xiongnu Province and make it part of the newly unified China. To accomplish this, Meng amassed a great army that stretched over an immense area of land.
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Fiction
Where’s Home?. Top Story - August 2023.
Jake perched on a barstool at the NCO club, surrounded by fellow sergeants and their friends. The chief topic of conversation this evening was familiar to them all—Where’s Home? The subject usually came up when several were taking a leave and heading home for a visit. Descriptions of childhood places, brothers and sisters, or longtime friends inevitably followed. Home was always some place that anchored them, and drew them back from the far corners of the world. It was never a subject Jake enjoyed taking part in.
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Fiction
