She sits upon a stool in the dimly lit bar. Her slender index finger slides gently across the rim of the glass. She smiles to herself as her red painted nails catch a bit of light and send a sparkle in her drink. Just a few nights past she was here at the same bar waiting for a friend who never showed. All she remembers from that night is a rugged looking...
This is a rather long story so I have decided to break it up into several chapters. This story ties into my earlier work "The Three Rites of Eugenie Hastings" which will provide backstory for a few characters and events but is not essential to follow the plot. I hope you enjoy it, please vote and comment, as I appreciate any feedback I can get. *** As long...
Hand-in-hand, Rose and I walked along the beach. Lake Bathem looked beautiful at sunset, with the western sky filled with warm colors and the last of the boats slowly making their way toward the docks. There were still a few people enjoying the swimming area, as well as a few dogs playing with their owners and a few couples venturing out of the forest. Whi...
Originally published in "The Discerning Gentleman's Weekly" Volume IX, number 18 Issue dated March 25th 1896 It has been some days since last I took up my pen to add to this sad and sorry narrative of shame. I could not bring myself to resume the thread, but after days of drink and despair I knew that I must return to my notebook, locked in the drawer of...
A jingle of the keys in the lock on the front door, and Lexi was home at last, her green eyes dilating just a bit to adjust to the complete darkness within the living room. Everyone was asleep, just as she had suspected. Mom was rather successful in her career, but it demanded a lot out of her in turn, and Steph never was a night owl, Lexi's sister rather en...
We had been out on dates before, drinks, walking at the park, all those normal, getting-to-know-you type dates. You were always the perfect gentleman. You treated me like a queen, even going so far as to present me with a box of chocolate covered strawberries the last time you had picked me up. I had mentioned once they were a decadent treat I craved but rar...
-- for Theresa * A handsome soldier of fortune was walking down the road. He whistled a happy tune and as he whistled he dreamed of all the riches in the world and all the pretty girls. Suddenly, at a bend in the road, he chanced upon a beautiful maiden. Her eyes were the colour of emeralds and her hair was the colour of night. "Handsome soldier!", she...
All day, it had appeared that something stressful occupied her mind. The usually bubbly, cheery Sara was disturbingly quiet, a strong atmosphere of uncertainty surrounding her. I had initially simply given her plenty of space, not wanting to pry my fiancée into telling me what worried her so for fear of pushing her even further away from me. But by evening,...
Charles smiled down at her as what little fight left Catherine's body with a whimper. "Sultan," Fazul, said just above a whisper, breaking Charles thoughts, Charles snapped his attention to his first mate, as if Catherine did not exist. Fazul bowed his head deeply as he continued, "Sultan, I beg your forgiveness; but I must remind you that she is in no condi...
She turned the key with her heart in her throat. The gears and cogs within the ornate lock strained against the key, a stubborn attempt to bar her way. At last they resigned themselves, and the lock gave up a metallic clik. She pushed against the ornate carvings of the massive door, pushed her weight against it, and at last it yawned inward. It's rusty hin...