Tag Archives: temptation

NELLIE MUNRO: Honey, Sugar, Daddy

Artistic, Submissions, ,

Ever since you licked the sugar-coated rim of the life you could have had, you’ve groped your way back towards its sticky, illicit core.

It doesn’t matter that it’s not yours to have and to hold.
Stolen honey still tastes like honey.

Only this sugar high comes with a high price.

Nellie Munro is a Scottish Author living in America with her husband and two dogs. She writes content for a cybersecurity blog by day, and by night, is working on her debut novel, Dying Tides. See more at nelliemunro.com.

TITI KUSUMANDARI: Two Portions of Fried Rice, Please

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

Across his shoulder pole hung rice, eggs, condiments, and a stove. He’d stop beneath our student windows to sauté some garlic, to let its scent slip inside the rooms. We cursed his tricks, swore to resist; yet every time his wok hissed, we went down in shame, cash in hand.

Titi Kusumandari is a writer based in Brussels, Belgium. Their work has appeared or is forthcoming in Pr&ta Journal, Lost Balloon, Anodyne, Chestnut Review, among others.

DOMINIQUE GÉLIN: I love you and nothing else

Artistic, Submissions, Top Stories, , , , ,

Because the previous gods had created one apocalyptic fiasco after another, fraternization among The Entities was now forbidden. But that didn’t stop The Sun and Death from stealing kisses whenever they got the chance. They grew bolder and their love burned brighter, until a scorched Earth was all that remained.

Dominique Gélin is a writer based in Los Angeles, CA. Her book, Heebie Jeebies: 31 Creepy Stories You Can Read in 5 Minutes Or Less, is set to be released October 2024. You can learn more about her work by visiting her website at dominiquegelin.com.

VERITY DUNCAN: Escape

Adventure, Submissions, , , ,

Along the fog-shrouded road, trees appeared as islands lining a coast. I trudged on, responsibilities heavy, wet shoes leaving no wake.

The road ended at a stream. A brightly-colored skiff glowed through the fog. The elf beckoned, musical voice enticing. “Come sail with me.”

Hand in theirs, I stepped aboard.

Verity Duncan (she/her) works in quality assurance, gets distracted by stories, drinks flat whites.

DEBORAH TAPPER: Nana’s Remedies

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

Nana had a cure for everything. Arnica for bruises, yarrow for bleeding, comfrey for sprains and broken bones. And she taught me about poisonous plants, what to avoid.

I remember her words as I select fresh leaves and flowers for a salad, broken arm healed but stiff, new bruises aching.

Deborah writes at an old desk surrounded by five hundred pet bugs.

LIAM LLOYD-HUGHES: Sirens of the Wood

Amusing, Submissions, , , , ,

When I was little, my grandmother would tell me stories of beautiful witches luring young boys who strayed too far into the forest. “Sirens of the wood,” she’d say to me. “They want to eat you for supper and swallow your innocence!”

Naturally, I prayed that I’d run into one.

Liam Lloyd-Hughes is Welsh and a ninteen-year-old English Language & Creative Writing student at the University of Chester. He doesn’t have a website, so he instead recommends supporting each other.

JONATHAN ODELL: Inventing Time was God’s First Mistake

Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

Eve didn’t blame the snake. It was Time that got her and Adam into trouble. When God showed them that apple tree, their mouths watered. Then he told them, “Don’t eat it.” What did he do next? Left them alone. With Time on their hands and apples on their minds.

Jonathan Odell has published three novels and his essays and short stories have appeared in various national publications. He lives in Minneapolis with his husband. His website is JonathanOdell.com.

K McEVERN LESTRADE: Tempting Fruit

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

It was no longer entirely green, though the blush signalling ripeness had not yet begun to creep over the smooth, tight skin. Her mouth watered, torn between wanting to tug it free and knowing patience would be rewarded with softness and sweet juice. With fingers curled tight she turned, resisting.

K McEvern Lestrade is never too busy to dream up new ways to explore the way people meet, get to know each other, and fall in love. Balancing teaching and raising small humans tests the concept of ‘too busy’ on the regular, but she loves the challenge. Her first short story, Risk is published in Love and Other Kerfuffles. She noodles around on Twitter at @mcevernlestrade and updates on her work can be found at kmcevernlestrade.com.

BREANNA PLUID: Left-Handed Magic

Adventure, Submissions, , , , ,

Everyone has power. In their right hand. Flowers bloom, water splashes. Little magic. Sweet magic. Snap your fingers and it is.

Until he is born. He has no magic.
Snap. Nothing.

He grows older.
Snap. Nothing.

He looks at his left hand. It shakes.
It’s Sinister, he knows.
Snap. BOOM.

Breanna is an amateur writer and lover of tall tales and anything that has a hint of fantasy.

VERITY ALWAYS: Temptress

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

On the edge of crippling pressures, I find myself in contemplation, sailing towards another dilemma, in front of a glass and spoon. Remedy: fill them.

The percolation dissolves my island, my mind, melting swiftly. I savour the paradox. Finer moments when walls of worries disappear, mesmerised by spoonfuls of affogato.

Verity Always wrote this story.