Stories for and about the Winter Solstice, also known as Midwinter and the Longest Night.
On the last day of fall, I confronted my shadow. The sun, dying beneath the silvery clouds, stretched its long arms across my face, and my shadow walked beside me. I scuffed my sneakers along the sidewalk, knocking loose pebbles… Continue Reading
The snap of the twig was always the best part. The scent of the dried wood, dead for months now, would rise to her nose. She would inhale its scent, drinking in lost memories of seasons long since passed. The… Continue Reading
“Another one!” Jase held a shiny blue rock in hand. “The seventh one in as many days. I have no idea what’s happening.” “That’s a lot of stones,” Margo stated. “You think? I tried to call the local wizard, but… Continue Reading
My sister Bailey’s breathing is steady at night. I wait for it to change from shallow to the deep breaths of full R.E.M. She sleeps on her side. Her shoulder forms the smoky mountains sloping gently under the sheet. The… Continue Reading
Constable Gil Hadrian leaned against the side of a building, taking a break from his weaving walk through the alley somewhere in the Priesthorpe district of Ashford. All these temples looked alike after seven drinks. Or was it eight? He… Continue Reading
The Night Man walks the winter dark, trailing mist and shadows, too tall and thin for an ordinary man and slightly translucent around the edges. No lock or bar can keep him out, and though a light might hold him… Continue Reading
Gideon’s sword cleaved blindly through the pitch darkness that surrounded him. Sticking ooze splattered and another monster, invisible through the black, gurgled to the ground. When they had started their journey, his sword had illuminated the hunting shadows. How long… Continue Reading
The sun peeked out over the south-east horizon and cast its golden hue across the frozen expanse. Maria stopped to pull the insulated canteen from the side pouch of her backpack. She took three generous swallows, chasing the granola bar… Continue Reading
Charles refused to go. Calliope insisted. Since waking this morning, he understood it had something to do with the witch thing. He sensed Calliope bolting upright in their bed, heard her astonished whisper. “Of course, the Winter Solstice! Return of… Continue Reading
The sound of flute and pipes died away. The rhythmic thumping of hands and feet continued for a moment as the dancers spun and stepped through the final moves of the dance. The whole collected village sighed as the revelry… Continue Reading