My phone buzzed at 3:42 am, jolting me awake. The police. They had found Mel’s lifeless body splayed across the pavement; limbs contorted against the unforgiving concrete. I was the last person she called. My ears rang, and my pulse… Continue Reading
The magnified moon, which had chased a reluctant, still radiant sun over its horizon only hours earlier, blanketed the tranquil sea. And with Autumn picking up the scent, their summer was about to set. “I’m not sure this is as… Continue Reading
Madison didn’t sit in her usual spot by the window. She didn’t say anything to Sophia about the video she’d sent her of Charli vomiting in the girl’s bathroom. Elijah didn’t announce his late entry to class with raised hands… Continue Reading
Michaelmas. After strolling along the River Cam through the tranquil college garden, she turns into the medieval Second Court, and someone collides with her. “Oh, sorry!” She recognises the voice. He gave a welcome speech at her freshers’ tea, wearing… Continue Reading
I found her in the kitchen nook in the morning. She was sitting on one of the wicker and leatherette stools that had come from my grandparents’ furniture store. It was a familiar enough sight but felt unfamiliar now. There… Continue Reading
Fabia wasn’t sure why her entrails grew suddenly cold, just where the baby had begun to stir. She wasn’t superstitious, she’d laughed at the crazy predictions of Aurelia the retired Vestal Virgin like everyone else in the city. When Aurelia… Continue Reading
To: Imperial Pets & Familiars ShoppeFrom: Tabitha, apprentice to the Wythia Coven I received my order, 1 cat. However, it doesn’t resemble the woodprint in your catalog. The ears are droopy, while its tail is short and springy. Its muzzle… Continue Reading
On the longest day of the year, three sirens with murder on their minds basked atop the immense, lichen-covered stone looming over their Greek island’s shore. Far below their perch, a dozen fishing boats bobbed atop the Aegean waves. Breathing… Continue Reading
When she realised the neighbours weren’t home, she rushed to wash the windows. Shegathered a bucket, the latex-free gloves, a couple of rags and the squeegee. She filled the bucketwith warm water, squirted washing up liquid in and disturbed the… Continue Reading
When Donny moved out, I decided not to tell people that I had cheated. It was more believable that way, I thought. I shuddered as friends told me I deserved better than “that loser,” but I didn’t protest when my… Continue Reading