Comfort Food She was always in the kitchen on a bad day. Just that thought alone made her laugh. She was always in the kitchen everyday. What made bad days so different? Well, besides the fact that they were happening more often and more frequently? Addie knew the reasons too. It was life. Everything made her temperamental these days. Sometimes it was so bad, she couldn't think of one new recipe to try or a dish to improve. Sometimes she just wanted to pop a TV dinner in the microwave and be done with it. She made a face. Addie von March never resorted to microwaving a meal. She must have it bad. There were some days where she just wanted to
Centuries of Punishment The storm was fully raging by the time Garnet reached the gate made of sticks. Rain pounded on the little awning over the cobblestone porch. Once she was out of the tempest for the moment, she balled her hand into a petite little fist and raised her hand to knock. Before her ghostly knuckles hit the weathered wood, a pair of shutters collided with the shack nearly causing Garnet to jump clean out of her skin. "Curse this weather." She muttered under her breath. "Curse my sister. I am always rescuing her from trouble…" A rumble of thunder sounded in the distance and echoed in her chest. Clutching her cloak even tighter, she finally kn
Five Shots Scarlett arranged the empty cans along the fence each a foot apart. This had become a routine, she discovered. The best way to relieve anger is to shoot someone. Something, she corrected mentally, closing her eyes. Shoot something. Even though she wouldn't deny it. There were days when she wanted to do nothing more than to rid herself of pests. Well, one pest. Ace Greyson had managed to worm and weasel his way into her mind, often with more negative things than positive. He teased her relentlessly, like a schoolboy would for the girl he had affection for. Just that thought alone made her stomach turn. He have affection for her. Ha! Scarlet
Sweetest Darned Smile Sweetest Darned Smile She was the shyest little girl Chance had ever laid eyes on. Even at two years old, she was silent as a mouse, not rambunctious or playful. Her warm, brown eyes were blank and distant. Emotionless. But what Mr. and Mrs. Monroe said terrified him. She was found, the only survivor, from an attack on an Indian tribe. Imagining the things she lived through sent chills down his spine. Though at last he found his voice. "Mrs. Monroe, what did you say you were goin' ta do with her again?" The woman adjusted the baby girl on her hip and smiled warmly. "Oh we were going to take her to the Reformatory. But as for now, we
Courage The blood from his hand stuck to the reins and sweat from the midday heat dripped down his brow. Even the rush of wind from the ride did nothing to help. Jet Everett's mind was far from the heat. As he urged the black and white gelding on at a gallop, he could see the town come into view. He glanced down at the woman he held in his arms and his sense of urgency increased tremendously. It wasn't just any woman he was saving this time, it was Isabelle. What were the odds? It had been years since they last saw each other. Even running into her family a few days earlier was something of a coincidence. Just as this one. At the memories of t
A Life For A Life The southwest wind ghosted across the dusty streets of Red River. The streets were deserted, like that of those ghost towns immortalized in dime store novels. The blazing summer sun glared down, filling the town with a stifling heat. The stage was set for one of the most idolized occurrences of the west. An old fashioned, gun slinging showdown. Each noise simply added to the tension. The sounds of the furling sheets, the howling of the wind, and somewhere in the distance a hawk screeched. Footfalls from booted feet began almost like a march. The metallic 'chink chink chink' of the spurs grew louder and louder until all became silent again
The Fork in the Road The Fork in the Road There was a light rapping at the door. "Signore." No response was heard. The falling snow cast a chill throughout the master's lavish chambers. Even the roaring fire in the ornate fireplace could not keep the biting cold at bay. The chandelier and candelabra were both unlit, leaving the fire once again to cast light and warmth upon the furthest corners of the room. Unsuccessfully so. Signore Morte sat on the sofa, wearily staring into the flames. The realization was nothing but a dagger to his still heart. She was gone, chose a different path. She had to. What would make a kind, lively young woman stay within th
Bananas Bananas "Hiya Cody." Cody flung his backpack over his shoulder as the last bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Turning around, he caught a glimpse of a girl, one he recognized easily. So putting on his kindest face to hide his annoyance, Cody smiled back. "Hey Izzie. What are ya up ta?" She giggled, high pitched and childish before replying. "Nothing... you?" "Just goin' home." He nodded in the opposite direction Izzie was headed in. "I'll walk with you then." Her arm slipped around his. Cody tried to remove his arm as discreetly as he could. This wasn't the first time she tried to walk with him. And something told h
Disasters Disasters "How on earth are you supposed to do that?" Today was painting day, one Maggie was dreading. She hardly painted walls back home with a brush and now Anderson wanted her to use that. It was like a paintbrush on steroids. Attached to the handle was a tube that led to a motor on the end. Maggie could only stare dumbfounded as Anderson continued demonstrating. "Like this, Miss Lawson. Dip the paintbrush in the can and push the button." Anderson handed her the brush. Laramie jumped up and down, watching what was going on. "Daddy can I push the button? Please? I won't make a mess, I promise." Though she pouted when she got her a
Everybody Knows Everybody Everybody Knows Everybody "Miss Rosie, what is a word that rhymes with love?" Brady sat at the counter of the diner staring at a napkin scribbled in blue ink. Rosie, who had just finished serving a customer came from behind the counter and peered over his shoulder. "Is my baby writin' a love poem?" She asked curiously. "More important, is my baby in love?" Brady flushed at this sudden interrogation. "I-I d-dunno, Miss Rosie. I j-j-jus' need a word..." He had hoped she wouldn't cause a scene. Especially with it being the lunch hour. There was no keeping secrets in a town this small. Everybody knew everybody's business. Which, in some c
A Proposition Peyton could only gasp as she looked up into familiar, gleaming eyes. They were ones she knew easily. Ones she knew watched her like a cat watches a mouse. They were the eyes of a predator. And she could only wonder what he wanted with her now. "Ah Miss Rider. What a pleasure to see you again." The gleam in his eye seemed to intensify. "You must know how... disappointed I was to hear that you quit your job at the club, hm? You always were my favorite dancer." He walked over casually to a box on the bookshelf and retrieved a Cuban cigar. "Which is why I just had to see you again." He stalked over back to her, leaning against the desk in t
The Best Kind of Business "Monsieur Baudine, I do seem to have a question on the duties of this organization." Alicio looked around the lavish ballroom and its occupants. There were people of the highest class dancing and socializing with one another. The good majority of them were of human species, but he could pick out the handful who were just like him-vampire.He looked to the blond vampire next to him with a curious expression, only to find him grinning back."Why Mister Lesteur, we are doing the duties right this instant."Alico frowned. "Attending a ball is a duty?"Gilbert Baudine patted Alicio's shoulder. "Of course. We are here on business." His keen eye
Misplaced "Give 'em back." Jesse had Cody pinned to the outside wall and nearly in a choke hold. "Give me my damn keys. How am I supposed ta get anywhere, huh?" With the smile that curved on his brother's face, Jesse nearly decked him then and there. "Easy Jess. Walk like everyone else." "You won't be sayin' that when you need a ride ta school, huh? Guess you'll have ta take the bus again." Jesse let go of Cody's collar. "And I can't come get ya when the football players decide ta dunk you in the dumpsters." The jovial smile on Cody's face dropped faster than dead flies. "That ain't funny, Jess. I smelled like mystery meat for a week… You d
Long Haul Light from the streetlamps danced in and out of his vision as the truck rolled down the empty highway. The neon blue clock on the dashboard read twelve thirty one in the morning and yet he didn't feel an ounce of sleep behind his eyelids. Instead, he pressed a a bit harder on the old Chevy's gas pedal, hoping he'd get to that Podunk little town already and she'd be out of his hair, long gone. But she wouldn't. No matter how this crazy adventure ended, Dune knew the memories of her would follow him like a lonely ghost. He would be torn somewhere between regret and relief. He never before believed in soul mates or finding the One. He nev
Sacrifices "What are you doing here?" Gracie crossed her arms, half out of bewilderment and half out of excitement. "I think you took a wrong turn somewhere, Phillip. This is England." The words were stuck in his throat like thick peanut butter. His heart hammered into his chest. "Gracie…" "You weren't happy with that fiancée of yours? What, was she too much for you, Mr. Kingston?" Then a thought occurred to her. "Did you come crawling back? Was I your back up plan?" She looked at him then, standing on her front porch in the freezing rain. The water dripped down his trench coat and sent stinging cold droplets onto his face. Finally,
Changing Tides Ch 1 Part 1 Prologue Magic in this world had been disappearing. Slowly the beings vanished, one by one. Elves and sprites fled the forests, dragons and phoenixes no longer ruled the skies. However there is one earthly haven for these creatures, the great and vast sea. Beneath its rolling waves and steady current is a place where they would remain untouched by the human race. Mermaids, nymphs and other ocean dwelling legends could live in peace and secrecy. Until they wander above the ocean's protective veil. But blood and magic cannot be kept apart. Not forever. This can be a blessing or a curse.Chapter 1Cutting the Ties The moon was as full
1. Beginnings 100 Theme Challenge1. Beginnings~Lena McDonald The sun was rising over the horizon as she drove from the airport down the long country road. Her little, beat up truck held everything she owned from back home and a new mattress from the discount store across the street. It wasn't something Lena thought she could handle as well as she did. Being the youngest of five, she was the most spoiled of her siblings. Though growing up and moving on was a surefire way to test the inner strength of a person. It was a pivotal moment in life where a human being could either sink or swim. And luckily for Lena, she was always a powerful swimmer. Be
Windsong Windsong “Hey what’s a purty lady like ya doin’ all ‘lone in this here town?” Niwah ignored the man’s raucous calls as she walked through the small town. She was used to this treatment, it was nothing she hadn’t been through before. Nonetheless she held her head high and ignored him continuing only to walk straight. Maybe if she didn’t look at him he would go away. They did most of the time. But not this one. “C’mon, gal. Ya gotta say somethin’ ta me. It ain’t right for a gal ta ignore her man.” Her man? Niwah wanted to gag. Her man was not a drunk who smelle
Bubbly Bubbly Lizzy Bates loved bubble baths more than anything. It had been that way since she was four years old and it was something she could never see changing. Not even if she lived to see one hundred. There was just something about hot, steamy water and mounds of floating bubbles that made her unwind. Which was precisely the purpose. She never took a bubble bath when she was happy. Stress, depression, confusion... all of them were cured best with a good half hour soak. Except this time, she would need a lot more than thirty minutes. What she did was wrong, Lizzy thought with a sigh. He just took her to an aquarium. Just as friends, r
One More Sin There was more? Malinic couldn't help but stare, dumbfounded, as more and more people drew closer to him, surrounding him. His mind reeled with ways to escape. A bird wouldn't do. It was night and he wouldn't be able to see. The most appropriate way to escape would be a bat, but that would only get himself caught. He hated to admit he hadn't quite mastered their erratic patterns of flight. Maybe that would be best to practice when he got out of this mess. If he got out of this mess. As he hoped his friends did. He let out a curse under his breath. He knew it was a bad idea taking them with him. Even though he enjoyed their company, the f
Temptation Temptation The music started in a slow and seductive manner. From across the ballroom, Gracie could see Phillip and his mother. She watched as she leaned over to whisper in his ear. And yet again another familiar sight. Phillip Kingston rolled his eyes and started across the ballroom. Towards her. Gracie gasped, holding onto Kat for support. What was he going to do? What was he planning? And why was he looking at her like that? Such intensity radiated from him as he walked briskly passed the dancers that twirled and swayed. Like he was determined. “Miss Campbell?” Gracie’s heart gave a thud as she looked up to stare
Love or Hate “What’s on the agenda today?” Gracie set her bag on the table and looked at Kat curiously as she stabbed a pancake with her fork. “What makes you think I have an agenda, Kat?” Her best friend only smiled. “Because you’re up and dressed and it’s not even noon yet. I wasn’t expecting you to be up for at least another two hours.” Kat brushed her ponytail from over her shoulder. “Not that I mind you being up earlier.” “Oh don’t lie, Miss Katherina Scott. You like having the apartment to yourself.” Gracie sat down and pulled out a notebook from her bag and flipped id
Unrequited Chance Everett found himself way out of town. Out to a place where the only thing there to keep him company was his thoughts. He didn’t mind much, Chance was once a solitary creature, content to walk the earth alone. Or at least, he thought he was. Until Miss Amy Parker found her way into his town. For as long as he could remember, the schoolhouse had been left abandoned. The previous teacher had packed up with her husband and left town years ago. So there it sat, an old, creaky wooden building filled with nothing but dust and old memories. There was no one in town educated enough to teach properly, including himself. But word sprea
Driving Lesson Driving Lesson “I can’t believe I’m doing this.” Jesse grumbled, pulling out his keys from the pocket of his jeans. “I don’ even know how I said yes ta this.” He stopped at the drivers’ side of his pride and joy, a polished and gleaming fire engine red Ford truck. With an expression of pure annoyance, he looked back to the house before roaring, “D’you wanna learn how at drive or not? I ain’t got all day.” “Well jeez, Jess. It ain’t like I’m gonna drive through a chicken coop.” Cody called back, swinging the screen door shut with a click. In a few quick strides
Beholder Even when the clock struck midnight the light in the studio was on. People whispered to one another behind closed doors, behind drawn curtains. And still light shines from room number 916. Some of the tenants gossip about who lives in the strange apartment. “It has to be a drug dealer.” Says one, his voice set in vindication. “You’re wrong. It’s a con man from across town. My sister told me so.” A woman chimes in, her lips pursed. And yet they are both wrong. The occupant of room number 916 has never been in possession of illegal substances, nor have they wrongly tricked people of their money. The occupant of r
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