A Blue Water Vacation Harry had promised—promised-cross-my-heart-not-a-prank—her that they’d spend their anniversary by beautiful blue water. As she looked at the blue water in the Travelodge fountain, she refused to get angry. This was just like Harry. He was building up to the real vacation. “Surprise!” Harry said. “Your blue water!” She smiled thinly, waited….
Tag: fiction
Traffic Jam on an Empty Road
This story is a response to the Muse on Monday prompt from November 2, 2026: Write a scary story about being stuck in a traffic jam in broad daylight. Traffic Jam on an Empty Road Route 44 was empty, and the sky was a dazzling blue—the rich, unrealistic color a child might paint it in…
Noblesse Oblige
Noblesse Oblige Kyle was beginning to regret buying the castle. Sure, it was cool, but the National Trust had made him agree to give tours. “So here’s the Great Hall,” Kyle said to a group of elderly women. “Over there by the TV is where the Earl of Henley was murdered by his rival.” “Where…
Brand-New Person
Brand-New Person I am delirious with anticipation. I watch, invisible, as the Attendant helps the woman into the pool. “This really works?” The Attendant smiles. “You’ll be a brand-new person. I promise.” The woman lowers herself into the water. Everything goes dark. I open my new eyes and stand, water streaming off me. “Welcome back,”…
Low Brow, No Brow
This story is a response to the Muse on Monday prompt from September 7, 2026: Write a story about a character with a prosthetic body part. Low Brow, No Brow I woke up with my ears still ringing. The last thing I remembered was laughing as I tossed that bundle of firecrackers into the bonfire. While…
The Pentadent Meets
The Pentadent Meets The Five had gathered. A box sat in the middle of the council table. “Let’s vote,” #1 said. “I think it’s okay. #2?” “Acceptable.” “Fine.” “Passable.” A nervous pause. “I don’t like it,” #5 said finally. A sigh of exasperation. “You never like anything,” #2 said. “I did some digging,” #1 said….
The Secret in the Candles
This story is a response to the Muse on Monday prompt from August 3, 2026: Write a story about an obsolete piece of technology. The Secret in the Candles “May I come in?” It wasn’t a request. Evelyn stood aside numbly as the well-dressed man stepped inside the house. He did not need a uniform or…
The New El Dorado
The New El Dorado I’d never felt such cold in my life. It was like an infection seeping into the thirty dreamers trapped shivering for a week in the back of a truck. We barely talked, each dreaming of the approaching land of gold. The smugglers told us about the insane riches, showed us a…
Human Blood Worms
This story is a response to the Muse on Monday prompt from June 22, 2026: Write a story about trying a new food. Human Blood Worms Embassy Report 8373929-34 It is my 11th day on Earth. The inhabitants are respectful and are anxious to make me feel at home. The climate in the city where…
A Closet of Thieves
This story is a response to the Muse on Monday prompt from June 15, 2026: Write a story where the character is trapped in a closet with a stranger. A Closet of Thieves The room smelled of death and opportunity. I crept in through the window that had been left open to air out the…
