Part one-Harriet's Troubles. Harriet Kono sat twisting the ends of her long black hair, an automatic reflex brought on by stress. Her grandmother told her millions of times that twisting her hair made her look nervous and twitchy. "Good paying companies don't hire nervous girls that twist their hair," Harriet said aloud in a stern mocking voice in imitati...
Luka left the highway about twenty minutes later, and quickly the roads became smaller and more deserted until they travelled on nothing more than two tire ruts through fields and forest. Shortly after sunrise he pulled up to a cabin that looked strangely well kept for being so remote. Motioning her to stay put, he got out of the car and stood facing the cab...
"Fuck Hydro Ottawa," Abram Woldense said to himself, upon realizing that the power was out at his tiny apartment located in the Vanier area of Ottawa, Ontario. Contrarily to popular belief, Vampires are no more enamored of the darkness than anyone else. It's one thing to be a creature of the night because you're fatally allergic to sunlight, it's another to...
Some of the native measurements in this story are not absolute. "Weighted three stones" or "walked five paces" would be good examples. Some units, distances, and measurements of time have been annotated using the metric system for your own enjoyment. I apologise in advance if this ruins the immersion for some readers. Tribal names are direct translations f...
Crocodiles devoured six critics of the regime overnight. But the news barely moved the morning price of commodities from the Ivory Coast. Cocoa was unchanged, and coffee was slightly up. Vietnam, Tanzania, Java; the beans had travelled the world before their distinct flavor exploded in his paper cup stamped with the green goddess. Djambo Diallo set it down...
On some afternoons, Muriel had her blind chats with Prince Vidar. On other afternoons, Muriel would sit on that white couch and enjoy her time as the prince watched her. She always had a snack on those occasions, and she ate them with enthusiasm. Sometimes, Muriel wore a pair of shoes that could be easily slipped on and off. Why? Because she had received a...
Crack!... Crack!... The whip sounded as I flogged my fiancé. I'm sure there isn't a man in the world who wouldn't have a concrete erection looking at her right now. Wrists bound and beginning to bruise, tied to a hook in the ceiling specifically installed there only for this one purpose. Blindfolded and unaware of when or where the next strike will occur....
"You're drinking tea? Some Dommly drink that is." He focused on the world again. Set down his cup in its saucer. Then looked at her. It was a long, evaluating, cold look. She was a bit of a brat. No, that's not exactly accurate. She was shy. She had to work hard building the courage to approach cute guys, and in her nerves she came off as bratty. Strike fi...
"Naama, could I speak with you for a minute please?" The High Priestess stood aside to let Naama enter her chamber. "Sit, please." Naama did so, back straight, eyes slightly widened in concern, hands folded in her lap. "You're not in trouble, Naama, don't look so frightened. I just need your help with one of the girls," the High Priestess said, sitting gra...
Reya stood on the edge of the cliff, head held high. Below her, the grey sea churned violently. She had a choice, to jump or to turn away. It was no choice at all. The crowd watching her expected her to jump. There was no true escape from her duties. To jump was to declare herself the rightful ruler of the kingdom, to turn away would not strip her of her ti...