Dead Man's Dreams

Soul Gazer Chapter 2

Read Chapter 1 here

One more semester, all that’s left of her college life.

As she finished her workout, Kaila’s mind drifted back to her insecurities and newly blossoming fears.

She would be a graduate, entering the real world as an adult. She’ll have adult things to worry about. A job, paying rent…being happy. She thought going off to college was the scariest thing she’d ever done. She was…

Hidden Danger Chapter 2

Read Chapter 1 here

Fresh snow fell. Missy put on her backpack and purse and left the docks, stopping at the top of the path leading back to the cul-de-sac. To the right was an opening to the sewer. Beyond that was a creek leading into the lake and a small bridge connected the two sides on either side of the creek.

She crossed this bridge and up another path to a different part of the…

Screams pierced the darkness of the house.

Kristi shot up from her bed, her eyes searching her room for the source. Her eyes went in and out of focus. The first thought racing through her mind was she could still be dreaming. It wouldn’t be the first time she woke because she thought she heard someone screaming.

The longer she sat, fully waking up, the sooner she realized the screams were coming…

So many choices. There were so many he could choose from. Which one should he take next? Which one would be the most interesting? Which one would do exactly what he wanted? Not a single one so far had accomplished what he wanted. All were failures and all had to be terminated prematurely. He didn’t mind though. He’d grown to enjoy that moment when it became clear they were wrong. But he was…

Pain exploded from her back with the beat of the song. She screamed and fell forward, but her voice was drowned out by the shouts of the large crowd. It wasn’t until warm liquid landed on the faces of those around her anyone realized something was wrong. Screams of terror mixed with the excited cheers. She grabbed her belongings in a blind rush and ran down the stairs. She was thankful she had an…

Snow still sat on the grounds commonly protected with shade from the few trees and bushes that could survive the high altitude, but the birds sang loudly of spring’s return. Luckily, it arrived early this year. Errol finished prepping Squall for the journey, much to her annoyance. She’d be leaving the warm paddocks for the first time in months and preferred to remain, eating to her fill. Taking…

The door to the new holding room opened. The room was made completely out of thick glass except for the door and hallway leading into the room. Those were made of thick metal for security reasons. There were two beds set up side by side against one of the walls of the room. One was made with gray sheets and a single pillow at the head. The other bed was specially made up for the occupant of the…

“You! Wake up!” a guard yelled, banging on the bars of the prison cell. “Need to check to see if you’re still alive.” The man inside lifted his head and glared at the guard with eerie blue eyes. Even in the dark of night they seemed to glow. The guard laughed and waved his finger at the man. “Don’t give me that look. You don’t want me to come in there, do you?” The man smiled and stood. He walked…

Le Cirque de Disparaître Sample

The tent was filled with patrons, cramped close together in the smoke filled room. They ate their small bags of popcorn and nuts, watching those before them with wide eyes. Children cooed with excitement and grabbed the coats of their parents, pointing with their free hand at the sights in the center of the ring. Yseult walked to the edge of the ring, sitting against a support beam for the tent,…

“Kara. Kara, where are you?” Eric called. He walked through the small house. His eyes moved to the glass door leading to the backyard. He sighed and walked out through the opened door. “What’s wrong?” Kara turned to her husband. Her green eyes were red from crying. “Nothing.” “You hate the backyard. You only come out here when something is wrong.” Kara hesitated. “I had the dream again…the memory…

The silence of the cold night seemed alien. Trees appeared lifeless, barren of their leaves for the winter. Though even if there were leaves there would be no movement. No wind dared to blow on this silent night. Even the darkened house seemed to respect the night, settling softly. A single owl broke the silence, its hooting echoing sadly through the cold night air. It signaled the beginning of…

“Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been looking a little nervous since you got here,” Harper asked, leaning close to Gareth. “You don’t have to be here if you don’t want to. I know it brings up bad memories.” Gareth nodded his head and picked up his clipboard. “I’m fine. Don’t worry.” The feeling in his head grew stronger. “Okay, but I’m going to keep an eye on you anyways.” Gareth grabbed the…

Rain. There hadn’t been rain in months, but of all nights for the sky to release a sea’s worth it had to be this one. Errol pulled his cloak about him tightly, trying desperately to keep warmth from seeping through his armor. He laughed at the absurdity of the idea. If the metal couldn’t keep the heat from escaping, what good would the thin, falling apart fabric do? He longed for the fire filled…

November The winter cold had settled in as many had predicted. It was going to be a cold winter, one of the coldest. There was even talk about possible snow in the lower elevations. Sara and Alice were safe from the cold inside of the small café, their winter coats on the back of their chairs. Alice stared out the window at the people walking by, wrapped up in coats, scarves, and hats to guard…

People milling around the crowded town square paid attention only to what they themselves were doing, ignoring everyone and everything around them. They ignored the beautiful pieces of art placed around the square, except for one. The most recent addition, a beautiful fountain titled Waiting Pool wasn’t like other fountains. It didn’t have a tall centerpiece with water flowing down neither did it…

Home By Friday Sample

Mary Harrison walked into her kitchen and proceeded to wash her hands making sure to use about half the bottle of soap. A small alarm went off announcing the time as 1:00 PM. Mary stopped scrubbing her hands and leaned against the sink. Sunlight poured in through the window in front of her reflecting off the water in to her eyes. Shadows of insects fluttered past every now and then. A butterfly…

Wednesday. Not only the day of the week, but the name of a restaurant located in the center of the city. It opened ten years ago, but was still one of the most popular restaurants in the city. Sitting at one of the high tables in the bar area was a man with fiery, red hair. He read the small placard at the center of the table, sipping his beer lazily. Leaning back in his chair, he checked his…