Category Archives: Stories

GAVIN MCQUE: The Fantastic Life of Bernard, the Troll-Riding, Sinophobia-Suffering Literary Adventurer

Odd, Submissions, , , ,

Gavin loved Bernie. He’d watched him from birth to death. He was a piece of his mind, an original creation.

He wept when the fifty words ended because he knew none could ever know Bernie properly. Or his Sinophobia. Not in fifty or fifty thousand words.

“What now?” Bernie asked.

Editor: Gavin was late including a bio, but he has an awesome name, in my opinion. And I doubt he’s sinophobic.

Added later: Gavin is a full time student who writes fiction in his free time. One day he hopes to write full time as he fears real work.

Bivouacking

Artistic, , , , , ,

They camped out on the side of the mountain, within a stone’s throw of the moon. A campfire warmed their bodies; anticipation warmed their hearts.

Tomorrow was the summit day, the flag-raising day. The pinnacle. The peak.

Beyond that was the descent, so aptly named.

Reminiscence is colder than anticipation.

This story is based on a title suggested by @brucerytel.

SALMIR AEON: Off to Save the World

Submissions, Touching, , ,

“If I told you I was going to save the world, would you believe me?” I asked her.

“No, I wouldn’t. Don’t be so silly,” she replied.

I stepped to the door and opened it.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

I turned and smiled. “I’m going to save the world.”

Salmir is a university student, studying Computer Games Design. He also does some video reviews and webcomics.

TIM SEVENHUYSEN: Where the Blue Grass Grows

Artistic, Poetry, , , ,

There’s a valley in the mountains
where the blue grass grows,
where the blue wind blows,
where the blue sky glows.

There’s a shepherd in the valley
searching wide and deep
for his lost blue sheep;
never stops for sleep.

There’s a valley in the mountains,
bluest place I’ve seen.

This story is based on a title suggested by Larissa via Facebook.

WALTER CAMPBELL: Apocalypse

Odd, Submissions, Touching, , , , , ,

I know this guy who saves puppies. He hears the world’s gonna end. He doesn’t believe it, he’s not religious, but he wants it to be true. When it doesn’t happen, he’s depressed.

So was I. I was depressed because the guy who saves puppies wants the world to end.

Walter Campbell lives and works in Philadelphia, went to school in New England, and grew up in LA, but he’ll write pretty much anywhere. Recently, his work has been published in Jersey Devil, Six Sentences, Dogzplot, MicroHorror, Toasted Cheese, and Glossolalia.

ALEX MARKOVICH: You Promised

Artistic, Submissions, , , , ,

If I come back as a ladybug, you once told me, be gentle. Try not to crush me, but if by chance you should, don’t grieve. I’ll keep coming back, you promised, time and again.

Now, as you cling to me, I turn leeward to shelter you from the wind.

Alex Markovich was a magazine editor at Consumer Reports before he retired. He lives in Ardsley, a suburb of New York, with Jackie, his wife of 54 years and his fiercest critic.

Attack of the Fruit Flies

Amusing, , , , ,

With waxy wings buzzing, and multifaceted eyes glowing maliciously, the fruit flies attacked.

In mere seconds, the unsuspecting picnickers were covered with a two-inch-deep blanket of angry, but harmless insects.

“We have them!” buzzed Franklin Fruit Fly. “What do we do now?”

And the swarm realized it had no follow-through.

This story is based on a title suggested by Nancy Cavanaugh via Facebook.

Painting the Night Sky

Amusing, Odd, Touching, , , , , , ,

He didn’t know it worked: one night he’d simply pointed at the sky, and a star had appeared, bright and new.

It was a great party trick, of course, and it stimulated his inner artist, but he didn’t fully harness the potential of his god-like ability until he went commercial.

MARTIN JAEGER: The Charity Box

Submissions, Touching, , , , , ,

Father Simon found a note in the charity box that read, “Sorry, I took some money.”

He suspected parishioners took money, but they never left a note.

Weeks later, Father Simon noticed a note in the charity box wrapped around a five dollar bill. “Thanks. The lemonade business picked up.”

Martin Jaeger has been published or is soon to be published in several print and online magazines. He tries to create imaginative pieces that will intrigue the reader, who will then have a greater appreciation for writers.

Ramone’s Social Circles

Amusing, Odd, , , , ,

Ramone had a very diverse selection of friends. He enjoyed spending time with Havarti, Provolone, Mozzarella, and Brie.

He didn’t get along that well with Cheddar or Feta, but Gouda was fun.

Ramone’s mom told him, “Cheeses can’t be real friends,” but he knew better.

Oh yes, he knew better.