Hole
The room was chilly and beige. It smelled faintly of stale cigarette smoke and carpet shampoo. Beyond the open curtains the streetlamps splayed in the cold, winter air. From her place in the nondescript beige armchair, Emma thought the man on the bed looked vulnerable. Lit by the gloom of the bedside lamps, Sean lay […]
Vertical Hold: Monocle’s Response to the Elevator Scenario
The Virtue of Patience was the outcome of a discussion between Raziel Moore and I. His story – Vertical Hold – based on exactly the same scenario, is now up at his site. Please go and have a read. It’s hot as hell. Nine a.m. The year may start new for everyone else, but for […]
The Virtue of Patience
On January 2nd, 2009, Jeremy Sykes stepped into the crowded elevator that took him to his office on the 44th floor. The passengers were bundled up against the winter cold. Some looked tanned from recent winter holidays in warmer climes, but all exuded that air of barely contained ill temper that inevitably haunts everyone who […]
Seven Senryū for the New Year
I have only just learned how to write Senryu. I have @senryunectar to thank for this most exquisite pleasure. If you twitter, you must follow her. The challenge of the Senryu is to write in Haiku form (5 – 7 – 5 syllables) using a word proposed by one of the group. It’s lovely to […]
Short Stories
Ghost Marks With one slender finger, Rachel pushed the crystal king onto its side with a click. It rocked back and forth on its round base on the marble chessboard.Her father’s eyes flitted over the chessboard, tracing lines of power. “What the hell do you think your doing?†“I’m resigning.†[…] Bequeathed The key slid […]