Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Fiction.
Unknown Caller excerpt
Jack was doing something he loved doing, but seldom had the opportunity to do anymore. He was driving by himself, slapping down the highway miles on a solo road trip. Partially solo, anyway. He was driving from Virginia to Florida. He was going to pick up Amy in Jacksonville, then they were driving together the rest of the way to Key West.
By L. Lane Bailey5 years ago in Fiction
Ape See, Ape Do
The heavy rain was deafening on the truck’s loose roof paneling but it wasn’t enough to drown out the noise of the old diesel engine screaming in protest as Wyatt forced it into the next stiff gear. Wyatt bounced jarringly in his seat as he slid around a corner followed by the stress-inducing sound of cargo tumbling in the back of the truck. Either the contents fell or the truck's panels had finally given out. He hoped it wasn’t the cargo; he couldn’t afford more truck repairs but losing the product would mean he wouldn't be paid either. His phone glowed on the dashboard as his destination came into view: a large theatre, painted red, trimmed with gold and illuminated by glowing signs of upcoming acts. Wyatt picked up his phone.
By Eloise Robertson 5 years ago in Fiction
Deference Due
The great ornate hall was filled with men beyond their prime, their finest thick suits hanging from their broad shoulders along with their ties choking them in the humid space. The quiet rumble of words was silenced by the sound of confident footsteps stalking through the door from the side of the stage, echoing through the hall. As the auctioneer crossed the stage the potential buyers comfortably resumed their murmurings, disregarding the presentation platform until the proceedings were scheduled to begin.
By Eloise Robertson 5 years ago in Fiction
The Library Voyeur
My dearest readers, how kind of you to join me on this fine evening. What am I doing here and what are we observing - you ask? Well, we are here for my favourite subject. Don’t be fooled by how ordinary he looks; I promise you he is worth the watch.
By Eloise Robertson 5 years ago in Fiction
The Angel
The Ranger unit loaded up into an M-35 truck to head out on patrol. It was 1425 local, and they were scheduled to roll out at 1430 hours. They had three outposts to check on and were expecting to be gone about four hours. Sergeant Prince was in the passenger seat, as leader of the unit, with his driver and four soldiers in the back of the truck.
By L. Lane Bailey5 years ago in Fiction
The Cliff
The adults gathered near the edge of the cliff. Of the thirty boys and ten adults that had camped on the mountaintop, ten of the older boys and four of the leaders were rappelling down the face. It was a hundred and fifty-foot rappel, and they had been practicing for months. Aside from the mental challenge of stepping off a cliff, they had to deal with the logistical challenge of getting fourteen backpacks down the cliff face. The boys had redistributed a lot of their stuff to other boys in their patrols, so they weren’t carrying tents, but they did have sleeping bags, clothes and other essentials. The packs were mostly about twenty pounds or so.
By L. Lane Bailey5 years ago in Fiction
JACK OF DIAMONDS
So someone pointed out--a good friend of mine--that they didn't know what order the story parts were in because they weren't posted in a proper sequence. So I thought I'd post this little sidebar of how the story reads. I put up the first paragraph or two for each post, to help in case there's some confusion.
By ben woestenburg5 years ago in Fiction
7 Days
Cold. This body is so cold. So many things hit me at once. In addition to the cold, I feel extreme hunger, something smells rancid, and someone is poking my arm. Tentatively, I open my eyes. The person standing over me seems pleased – I’m not sure whether it’s because I’m awake or because he thinks he’s responsible for reviving me. The younger man smells bad, but I think I’m the one who smells rancid.
By Julie Lacksonen5 years ago in Fiction
Despair and Desolation under the Gemini Stars
In her chest there are two holes. Rather than an absence of something it is instead a heavy presence, a burden so obviously seen by the drag in her slender shoulders, the hollows under her eyes and the stooping of her posture. One hole she named Despair, the other is named Desolation. Despair nestled into the girl’s heart at an early age, first shaking hands with her in her elder child years. It fills the void that was created when her family perished from sickness.
By Eloise Robertson 5 years ago in Fiction
