The First Night is the Hardest
You find yourself standing in a field, the full moon slowly creeping up over the sky as the last remnants of golden sunset fade on the horizon. You are shivering; the night is warm, but you still feel a chill from nervousness. You look...
It's In Your Hands
It wasn't unusual for Morghus to have his head in the clouds as he walked home, fixated on things that could not exist in the world as he knew it. It happened often, ever since he was a child, reading about faraway places, knights and dragons....
Of Man to Mice
Looking down at the vial in his hand, Keero found himself wondering what it was he was doing with it. Though he'd been anticipating the arrival of this particular package for several months now, with it finally in front of him, Keero wasn't sure if he...
An Even Greater Treasure
With some trepidation, I braced myself before entering the dark cavern's opening, waning light outside doing little to keep it illuminated. Still, if the rumors were true, it would be well worth the risk for me to check it out. They had to be, I told...
Spotting Your Captivity
Walking out of the zoo's office donning his brand new uniform, Oliver was all smiles, excited for the day's activities. After applying and waiting weeks to hear back from them, he had his first interview with the local zoo and was finally approved to...
In Soviet Russia...
An audible sigh escaped Denis's lips as he went back to his arduous labor. The hour was early, the stool uncomfortable, and the barn reeked with the scents of uncleaned stalls and unattended cattle. There were half a dozen things he'd rather do....
Thrashing about the Lake
I don't know what compelled me to take a walk to the waterfront at almost midnight. It wasn't normally something I did, especially not while on vacation. Though, it had been extremely humid in the cottage and I just couldn't get to sleep that night. I...
Subway Rat
Hit with the mechanical smells of the subway train's cabin, along with unwelcome organic ones that smelled vaguely of urine, AJ surveyed the empty car, surprised there was no one on with him. He had about an hour ride away from his house, and with the...
Symbiosis
Colin sighed. He was tired from a long day at work, far too tired to be taking a lengthy hike through the woods on his way home. Normally he enjoyed the peaceful walk. The wooded area was small enough that he wasn't likely to come across any bears but...
Thick Skin
A misunderstanding? Perhaps. Those encounters often were. It could be something so simple as a drink order prepared wrong, with one party not willing to admit their mistake and the other not willing to let it go. It happened sometimes. Nothing...
The Chief's New Groove
"Over here, Chief!" One of the lieutenants called out, waving him down from across the crime scene. Chief Bogard sighed audibly and carried himself over towards the eager young man. He had no business being out here, even though he was a captain. His...
A Light Through the Fog
Trying to hold back the tears, Trent did his best to gaze through the fog, hoping to find the path back from this unwanted fate. He was sure he had been following the right route through a public park, though a heavy fog had settled to the point that...