Terry tentatively touched the walls, then quickly drew his hand back, as spiderwebs clung to his fingers. The webs grew denser as he approached a patch in the wallpaper that was swollen and cracked. Something tickled his ear...
Buzz of the Swarm
Victoria waited for the buzz of the swarm to fade before placing the bellows on the garden table. She took a sandwich off the plate and lifted it to her mouth, looked up at her guest and put the sandwich back down. She pushed the plate towards him; the Chameleon took off his top hat … Continue reading Buzz of the Swarm
The Lonely Tree
Freezing air seeped in through the cracks in the window frame, as the dying fire slowly cooled behind him. He picked up the axe that leant by the door and walked out of the cabin. Tree stumps lay like rotten teeth spreading out to the horizon. With the axe slung over his shoulder, he carefully … Continue reading The Lonely Tree
Gardner’s Friend
Robin sat in the dirt by the shed and gazed down at his rusting arm. His name wasn’t actually Robin, but little Alfie had been so excited when he’d been brought home that they let him name him. The wind picked up and drops of rain started to bounce off his skin, so he curled … Continue reading Gardner’s Friend
Habit
As some of my followers may know, when the pandemic started, I decided to write one story every day for a year. I think I managed about 70 days before the strain of writing a short story every day just became too much, not only did I burn out, but I wasn’t getting anything else … Continue reading Habit
Cracks
Stones and dirt lay underfoot down barren streets. Houses rose askew; crooked angles making me shudder and hold my head till they straightened. Twists and tunnels through endless seas of brick – a murmur up ahead, as faces looked down at me from bedrooms. I waved to me in a doorway, ‘more?’ I asked. I … Continue reading Cracks
Mary’s Rest
Mr Roy Hadley stepped off the train, dropped his bag at his feet and held his arms wide in the air, nearly hitting a commuter in the face. ‘I’m so sorry’ he said, after realising what he’d done. ‘It’s just… look at it’ he said again, this time carefully sweeping just one arm through the … Continue reading Mary’s Rest
Antlers
Charlie stood behind the counter gazing up at the moose head that hung from the opposite wall. Its black beady eyes stared back, mocking him. Even from here he could see the patchiness of its fur and he instinctively hugged himself, his hands reaching to the worn fabric of his elbows. ‘Are you even listening … Continue reading Antlers
Cry Baby
Wind howled around Ryan and the drizzle seeped through the seams of his clothes as he approached the old Victorian shell of a building. Pulling his hood down against the wind, he turned and scanned his surroundings before opening the wrought iron gate and climbing the stairs to the door. After giving a further furtive … Continue reading Cry Baby
Dog Day Afternoon
Jess backed up against the glass door and she gently pushed it open. As she entered the shop, a bell hanging above the door gently tinkled and the man sitting by the work bench towards the back of the shop, looked up. ‘What can I do for you, young lady’, he asked as he put … Continue reading Dog Day Afternoon
