Archive for the ‘Fiction’ Category

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The Crucible of Death

In Fiction on June 13, 2013 at 1:32 pm

light through windows with curtains

The Crucible of Death

When I awoke, the golden morning was pouring through tall windows, glowing behind shifting gossamer curtains. Madelaine lay beside me, long and liquid and naked. She smiled.

“You talk in your sleep, Sean,” she said. I sat up. I was still fully dressed.

“Anything interesting?”

“Dreadfully boring. Dirty laundry and mysteries and murder.”

She rose from the bed and stepped to the window, where she was a cutout in the incredible light. The sun flashed through her legs. I reached for my gun. Read the rest of this entry »

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Lonely Travelers

In Fiction on June 11, 2013 at 9:30 pm

moon, stars, night sky

Lonely Travelers

I drove south over dunes and flats of rough-packed gravel, my brother groaning meaningless psalms in the back, Meher’s lifeless body jostling like a marionette to my right. My leg needed attention: Shrapnel had nicked the femoral artery, which leaked a slow pulse of blood—a violent bump might tear it completely—but our attackers were in pursuit.

Egypt’s Western Desert is a bleak expanse marked by few settlements and fewer roads, but I knew the Dakhla Oasis lay some 30 miles to the south; it would be several hours over the treacherous terrain, but I drove on, praying the dusty skies would give us cover… praying the blood I had left would last.

*** Read the rest of this entry »

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Out for Blood

In Fiction on June 4, 2013 at 11:11 pm

English: Human blood magnified 600 times

Out for Blood

Sweat stung my eyes and blurred my sight. Meher stumbled ahead of me, walking backward and straining. My brother hung between us like a bridge, heavy and insensible, as the footsteps grew louder behind.

“Who are they?” Meher gasped. “What do they want with your brother?”

“They don’t want my brother,” I said, wheezing. “To them, he’s just a freak. They’re literally out for his blood; whether it’s hot or cold when they get it is incidental.”

Meher’s terror flashed on his face.

“I do not wish to die,” he said.

“Then let’s get him to the truck.” Read the rest of this entry »

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On Damāvand

In Fiction on May 31, 2013 at 12:21 pm

iran-tehran_l

On Damāvand

We sit on sleeping fire, on Damāvand, where the dragon Dahāg writhes in his bonds.

We see our city, older than myth, and its transient seething.

The hill shakes; our hearts are inflamed.

This is my response to the weekend Trifextra challenge, from the friendly folks over at the Trifecta Writing Challenge. The prompt this week is the picture up above, provided by mohammadali on Flickr.

The photo is of Tehran in Iran, and my story draws on some old Persian myths. Check out this wikipedia entry if you’d like to know more.

Happy weekend!

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The Goodnight Song

In Fiction on May 30, 2013 at 10:01 pm

window-dressing-janet-webb

The Goodnight Song

Old,
I am.
I start to dream
and suddenly
I am
this passing thing.

Tall windows
light up the walls
and
the shadows cast
will guard my bed.

Snow
falls:
It’s gathering out
upon the street
as
a girl walks by.

Slow
rhythm.
An easy heart-
beat
is lulled to sleep
by a memory. Read the rest of this entry »

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Dead Drunk

In Fiction on May 29, 2013 at 10:59 am

barstool

Dead Drunk

I don’t know what made me angrier, that the bitch had killed me, or that she thought she could make up for it with some pulpy story of lust and love.

“Listen, cherie,” I said, my words slurred by what must have been a dozen bourbons, “you used me, that’s all there is. Stole away my life even as I live and breathe.”

“You’re dead drunk,” Madelaine said.

“Correction, miss,” I replied. “I’m dead and drunk. Your version’s a noir cliché, mine’s a Greek tragedy. And you know the thing about tragedies?”

“What’s that?”

“Everyone always dies at the end.”

I fumbled in my pocket and drew out my gat, a trusty 1911 with steel plating. Unsteady, I leaned into the counter and took aim at Madelaine’s face, squinting one eye to make sure she was all lined up. Read the rest of this entry »

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Dear Characters: A Confession

In Fiction on May 24, 2013 at 1:16 pm

300px-Skullclose

Dear Characters: A Confession

I’m going to kill you. Please don’t fight it.

After all, you either die on the page, on your own terms, or you die when they close the book. Which is worse?

A quick 33 words for the weekend Trifextra challenge. Head on over and read the rest of the entries (it won’t take you long)!

Happy Friday!

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Life in Onomatopoeia

In Fiction on May 10, 2013 at 3:26 pm

keyboard

Life in Onomatopoeia

Slurp
Wahh!
(Birth)

Haha!
*Scrape*
Wahh!
(Childhood)

 Ooh
Mmm
*Slam*
Wahh!
(Adolescence)

 Honk honk
Tappity tap
Sigh
*cha-ching*
Wee!
(Adulthood) Read the rest of this entry »

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Tough Guy Bobby Caduzo

In Fiction on May 9, 2013 at 11:32 pm

IconGrill_TedStrutz

Tough Guy Bobby Caduzo

“A little… light for a mob joint, isn’t it? I mean, watercolors? Artsy mirrors. Glass eggs in baskets? I thought we were here to meet ‘tough guy Bobby Caduzo.’ This don’t strike me as a place for no tough guys.”

“Hey shut your mouth, would ya? Show some respect. Bobby’s right over there.”

“Where? I only see the broad at the counter.”

“Bobby is the broad at the counter, stupid. Barbara Caduzo.”

“Sal, I’m in deep with these guys, man—how’s some chick supposed to help?”

“Heh. Tony, sometimes it’s real obvious you grew up without a mudda.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Madelaine

In Fiction on May 8, 2013 at 10:17 pm

lips

Madelaine

“I see that look on your face: You don’t believe me, and I don’t blame you. But I do love you, Sean Brennan—after a fashion.

Shh. Don’t interrupt, sweetie. Let me explain:

When I came to see you four days ago (or three and a half if it please you) I told you I was desperate, and that was true. I’d come to unlock my place that morning—let in the day shift and count the take from the night before—when I’d found a note slid underneath the door.

Philippe Bonté, the cochon that owned the place before me, was threatening to run me out. He’d changed his mind about the sale, and told me he was coming back to take the place by force—with a few of his guys for good measure, naturally.

You ok, honey? You want another drink? Suit yourself… Read the rest of this entry »