alien
Eavesdropper
Gerardo sat on the warm bench and listened. Claude was on his right, thumping away at some game on his laptop, rocking the park bench,
Tim McDaniel February 10, 2022 No Comments
Humor
Get ready for a laugh with a light-hearted humor read.
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animal liberation
Appendices
Appendix A # The appendix twisted in Dr. Chamberlin’s tongs, hissing and spitting. “Careful, nurse,” he said from behind his mask. “This is a mean
Tim McDaniel January 9, 2022 4 Comments
#Halloween
Double D
It’s tough to be a dame in Chicago. Even tougher when you spend all your time in dive bars on Water Street, just waiting for
Donald J. Bingle October 23, 2021 No Comments
Dog
New Trick
The phone rang. Actually, it didn’t ring. It played that stupid “Who Let the Dogs Out” song. Jesse had made it do that, had downloaded
Tim McDaniel January 2, 2022 2 Comments
flash fiction
The Missing Doormat
“This is absurd!” My husband, Christopher’s voice had gone up a notch higher as he exclaimed. The receptionist kept repeating herself, “Sir, I’m sorry but
TzeLin Sam May 11, 2022 14 Comments
Superhero
Confidant
“Rob, just listen to me for a sec. I’m not talking about anything that’s actually immoral. Nobody gets hurt.” Weldon Brown pushed the hair back
Tim McDaniel March 21, 2022 No Comments
he
He
He grew up thinking that it was all fun. Thought he’ll have everything that he’ll ever need and was so trustworthy that sometimes he thought
Andrey Lukyanov April 26, 2022 2 Comments
Matchmakers | Chapter 11 | Business and Pleasure
Photo by imustbedead from Pexels On the way to the Smash Room, Maisie walks with her head down, recounting last night’s strange events. What the
Crystal Walker April 6, 2022 No Comments
Churchill
On the Beaches
Barret P. Bungate, Director of the Parallel Project, loomed over the edge of the cubicle and stared down at Avery Gibbart, his eyes colder than
Tim McDaniel February 21, 2022 1 Comment
accident
Proactive
The First Attempt There was a clatter and a thump. “Jesus Christ!” That was Dad. Mia leapt from her chair, bumping the kitchen table and
Tim McDaniel March 26, 2022 No Comments
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town!
…in 359 days’ time I am one of those people who love Christmas songs and by that I mean listening to them a few weeks
TzeLin Sam January 1, 2022 2 Comments
Applying the “Logic” of Vaccine Refusal to Other Public Health Issues
I drive drunk on a daily basis, and have for years. I’ve never killed anyone, and haven’t ever been involved in a collision, not even
Michael Burg August 10, 2021 4 Comments
choice
A Moment That’s A Little Off
Right this second… An inflammatory thought! An idea turned cold. If you want to torture a person just put him/her on your life schedule and
Andrey Lukyanov April 28, 2022 No Comments
humour
Grow Up!
“Grow up, can’t you?” Sammie asked her brother for the tenth time that morning. “I enjoy playing, what’s wrong with that?” Phet answered. Songkran, the
Colin Devonshire April 1, 2022 No Comments
Convention
Children of the Nightcap
Yuri loosened his tie even more and gratefully accepted the drink from the waitress. Stupid company policy, to wear suits and ties on all business
Tim McDaniel January 8, 2022 No Comments
Absurd
Number One
As told by number two Photo by Rodion Kutsaev on Unsplash A man stands on a corner of a busy crosswalk in a busy neighborhood
Matthew Portman April 10, 2021 No Comments
cliche
The Known World
Tom’s smug appreciation of the great shrouded form squatting in the middle of the lab was interrupted by the ding of the elevator. The doors
Tim McDaniel February 16, 2022 No Comments
dance
Motion Happens
Raindrops, sliding off the windshield of the bus that’s tearing through the road in a damp summer air at 90 mph, looked like spermatozoa under
Andrey Lukyanov April 26, 2022 No Comments
email
If emails were honest (a poem)
Poems I wrote in quarantine, part 1 I hope this email finds you well. By which I mean, at the bottom of one,having fallen down there
Casey Lawrence January 24, 2022 43 Comments
association
Vocabulary-esque Part 1
What comes out of the human’s mouth could be lost in translation. Once it jumps from the lips and eclipses in the air, usually it stays
Andrey Lukyanov April 29, 2022 No Comments
Deal
Sin Taxes
Tommy “Toad” Tozer sloshed some more vodka into his glass. He thought about putting some ice in it, but it hardly seemed worth the effort,
Tim McDaniel December 29, 2021 No Comments
choice
Knowing me
I know I am in love with him Of course, it is unmutual As an old schooler, when it comes to love affair I will
Victoria Mineva April 11, 2022 No Comments
aliens
Contact
Writing Spark: What would happen if aliens finally made contact? “Report?” I buzzed nervously before the Commander. “No contact recommended. Species was deemed unsuitable.” The
Casey Lawrence January 26, 2022 2 Comments
Waking Up With a Strange Hat
The 30-day writing thing continues. “Ready for some coffee?” she asked as I wandered into the kitchen. I nodded yes and smiled She had her
James Jordan May 22, 2022 1 Comment
Book
Squamous and Eldritch Get a Yard-Sale Bargain
Squamous turned right on Second. The Pinto squealed a bit, but it usually did that on sharp turns, and there was probably nothing supernatural about
Tim McDaniel February 5, 2022 No Comments
To Fart, or Not to Fart?
The turmoil of deciding to keep the butt cheeks clinched or let it rip when trapped on a plane. Photo by Samantha Gades on Unsplash
Crystal Walker January 30, 2022 2 Comments
Limericks
Here are some limericks for your entertainment… ——————————————————- The elite work hard and they toil, To pass off as other than a boil, lie as
John Pepin February 7, 2024 No Comments
#kids
Seriously?
When I’m having a conversation with people and decide to share something playfully, but in an unrestrained manner, right after hearing me out, sometimes they
Andrey Lukyanov April 27, 2022 No Comments
D & D
To the Winners
Thud the Timorous, of the Kneecapper clan, sat in a corner of the dusty chamber, his hands over his eyes, saying his prayers to Stonemaster.
Tim McDaniel December 29, 2021 4 Comments
Children
Hop and Hop with Gleepglop-Geep! A Bedtime Reader
Gleepglop-Geep is curled up under the dried leaves, warm and comfortable. But not sleeping! Gleepglop-Geep knows that sleeping is dangerous, and she is far too
Tim McDaniel February 10, 2022 No Comments
Behind the Screen
Unlike many of her friends, Anne had always been a morning person. She was up early this morning to practise yoga while catching the sunrise
TzeLin Sam February 12, 2022 13 Comments
zombie
Taken, One After Another
Chad still hadn’t returned by morning. We all knew he’d been taken, just like Sandy. That was the way it was, ever since the dead
Tim McDaniel December 24, 2021 No Comments
TV Shows vs Real Life
As I was brushing my teeth the other day, I thought about TV show scenes in which people would just casually have a chat while
TzeLin Sam January 29, 2022 13 Comments
campaign
Election Returns, Live
The bulky figure stooped, bringing its head close to the ground, as if sniffing out a trail. Its electronic eyes whirred and the machine pistols
Tim McDaniel January 1, 2022 No Comments
Dracula
Her Vampire Lover
“But I am a creature of the night,” Justin said. “And you – you’re a child of the sunlight. The sun I can never again
Tim McDaniel December 29, 2021 No Comments
#kids
Dad Takes Kids to Amusement Park, Instantly Regrets It
10:00 AM: What a great day to come to the amusement park! I’m really glad I thought of this idea! Ok, honey. You go grab
Greg Thomas February 25, 2022 No Comments
The Soul-crushing Miracle of Transforming Your Life
We’ve all been there. You sit and make a list of all of the things you need to do. Organize the list. Realize the list
Greg Thomas February 11, 2022 No Comments
competition
Getting Ahead in Business
Graeme Wood turned the newspaper to Local News, folded it, and smoothed it flat on the plastic table in front of him. The waitress passed
Tim McDaniel January 16, 2022 No Comments
Romantic Comedy
Meet Leah
A supporting character in the serialized RomCom “Matchmakers” Image created via Canva and using a stock image from Pixabay Leah is one of four women
Crystal Walker January 31, 2022 No Comments
D&D
Did I Play in the First Roleplaying Game EVER?
Despite the fact that I have attended GenCon for more years than you have probably been alive and that I was the world’s top-ranked player of
Donald J. Bingle October 23, 2021 1 Comment
diner
Frozen
Katrina’s eyes widened and she pursed her lips. The waiter froze, still holding the tray with my ice lemonade. I watched a drop of condensation
Alex Mathers August 8, 2022 1 Comment
god
Dei ex Machina
March 31, in the early nineties. It was the day he heard the word of God. Of several, in fact. Theo’s eyes flickered open as
Tim McDaniel March 31, 2022 3 Comments
cartoon
After Not Having Sex in Three-and-a-Half Years, the Adult Cartoon Character Sterling Archer is Becoming Hot: Very soon I’ll start fantasizing about having sex with him instead of with human beings
It’s been about three-and-a-half years since I last had sex, and that was the last time that a human being I wasn’t related to touched
Robin Honigsberg July 13, 2022 2 Comments
The Christmas Party
“Good evening, I’m Muire Geoghan for RTÉ’s general election results special coverage, and we can confirm at the current count the next government will most
Conor Matthews April 10, 2024 No Comments
cosy
One Star!
“Thank you, most entertaining. That was the most tasteless meal I’ve ever had the misfortune to not eat. I was going to say eat, but
Colin Devonshire April 14, 2022 No Comments
#Halloween
Confessions of Failure From a Demon to his Psychologist
The inner turmoil he faces after unsuccessfully possessing a writer Photo by cottonbro from Pexels Sitting in the waiting room, Nybbas places his hands on
Crystal Walker January 30, 2022 No Comments
anti-christ
The New Kid
It started in the seventh grade. That was when the new kid came to our school, the antichrist I mean, and he sat right behind
Tim McDaniel January 12, 2022 No Comments
Bogart
Every Person Comes to Rick’s
The cafe the Social Connectors sent her to was more crowded than she had expected. Tinny Mozart came over the large speakers on either side
Tim McDaniel January 25, 2022 No Comments
I’m Afraid of Jackfruit
Ten reasons why you should be, too Before the virus hit, jackfruit was one of the new food crazes that any hipster worthy of even the
Charles Bastille February 2, 2022 No Comments
candidate
The Weekly Informant’s Endorsements — the Shocking, Untold Story!
As our readers know, the upcoming presidential election will be one of vital importance not only to our nation, but to the world. However, with
Tim McDaniel January 9, 2022 No Comments
action
Train of Thought
“Wake up, dude.” “Huh? Where are we? What’s going on?” “Jesus, Cam, you’re a hard sleeper. Or maybe you had too many of those magic
Donald J. Bingle August 17, 2022 1 Comment
Faith
(P.S. poetry series) Worth A Shot?
Cars drove by, a simple sigh at six in the morning, The day starts and the body drops, Shots heard on the block in the
Andrey Lukyanov August 16, 2022 No Comments
alien
Season’s Greetings
Dear Family and Friends, Well, it’s hard to believe another year is about to end! This has been a busy year for the Wilkins family.
Tim McDaniel February 5, 2022 No Comments
Humor
I Read 47 Productivity Articles and Now I’m Ready to Get Things Done
We all have the same amount of hours in the day, it’s how we use them that matters, right? I hear this mantra all of
Greg Thomas February 21, 2022 No Comments
Bangkok
Steam Room
Duanphen was thinking of hot Thai stew with plenty of garlic. It was edging past the nine-hour mark of soapy water scouring and sore fingers.
Alex Mathers July 19, 2022 1 Comment
flamingo
Gardening Tip #8
Joe drew in a shaky breath and pushed through the double glass doors of Skyblue Nursery. He went past the cash registers and down the
Tim McDaniel January 31, 2022 No Comments
babysit
Yes – And Also I Really Did Need to Buy Cadmium – Cadmium, I Tell You!
“Ah! You are here, you have arrived! Good! Come in – out of the rain – No! You must step over the welcome mat –
Tim McDaniel March 25, 2022 No Comments
Christmas
Trash or Treasure?
It is that time of the year again! Christmas is coming. You have to make sure that your house is clean for visitors. You decide
TzeLin Sam December 21, 2021 4 Comments
alien
The Wrath of Grapes, or, The Sweet Smell of Success
It all happened because of the grapes. It wasn’t often that any fresh fruit at all was sent to the Issap Station. Oh, the diplomats
Tim McDaniel March 26, 2022 No Comments
aging
Medicine Man
Grant Gatzke pointed with a shaking finger. “There’s one. A Pepsi, I think. It’s got that color.” Metallic blue glimmered in the weeds at the
Tim McDaniel February 20, 2022 2 Comments
fairy tales
Death by Hissy Fit
Journalist fiction adapted from Tom Tit Tot by the Brothers Grimm A man died yesterday when he tore himself in two. Rodney Rumpelstiltskin (age 203),
Kai Parker December 3, 2021 4 Comments
Barbie
BB’s Sweetfriends Book Club
“There you go, Kip! Soon your knee will be good as new!” BB rolled up the unused length of bandage and put it into a
Tim McDaniel April 3, 2022 No Comments
hero
Zero Hour
Most kids, as they approach high school graduation, are faced with hard choices. Should I go to college? A college near home, or one in
Tim McDaniel February 18, 2022 1 Comment
book group
Coughing Fit
I was annoyed when my husband started referring to our book group as “The Cult”, but mostly because part of me knew he was right.
Bo Lowry March 23, 2022 11 Comments
dark
Protest Seen
It wasn’t my fault. I was just minding my own business when it happened. I mean, really minding my own business. I was just walking
Donald J. Bingle October 21, 2021 No Comments
Open Letter
Dear Brain, WTF is Wrong with You Now?
The crazy dreams are back. I thought we settled this! Photo by Vladislav Muslakov on Unsplash Hey there brain, Let’s just cut to the chase.
Crystal Walker February 1, 2022 3 Comments
Marriage
Ounce of Prevention
Now, just because a wife kills her husband — even a perfectly agreeable husband — it doesn’t necessarily follow that she’s to blame. She may
Tim McDaniel February 16, 2022 2 Comments
choices
Winter, Friendship, and Guilt: The Choices of My Life
A tough nut to crack. Tough indeed. In my case, it is as much metaphorical as is it literal. There is a recurring problem for
Michael Robert March 4, 2022 2 Comments
Anna Clendening
Do You See Me? – Inspired by “Invisible” by Anna Clendening.
I wrote this story based on the song “Invisible” by Anna Clendening – I suggest listening to it after you finish reading! — Day 254
Kelsey Bjork September 6, 2022 No Comments
adam and eve
The Truth in the Garden of Eden - Flash Fiction
The woman giggled as the snake gently wrapped around her arm and rested his head in her hand. She adjusted herself in the tree and
Kai Parker November 29, 2021 2 Comments
dark comedy
Therapeutic
I usually leafed through a National Geographic while I was waiting for Dr. Ishkanian – looking over the Table of Contents, first, to see if
Tim McDaniel December 20, 2021 No Comments
comedy
Meet Angie
A supporting character in the serialized RomCom “Matchmakers” Image created via Canva and using a stock image from Pixabay Recently, I introduced you to Maisie — the
Crystal Walker January 31, 2022 No Comments
comedy
One Sucky Writer
Flash fiction based on real-life, damn it * * * She stared at her screen. Again. No sales. Damn frustrating. Over one thousand people on
Kai Parker December 8, 2021 14 Comments
alien
Another View of the Matter Addressed in Shelley’s “Ozymandias”
The forcebeams were almost invisible, thin shafts of gleaming air. As they cut into the limestone, a slight spray of dust erupted at the point
Tim McDaniel January 25, 2022 1 Comment
best friends
Matchmakers | Chapter 5 | Bloomin’ Onion Hangover
Photo by Mekuria Getinet on Unsplash Seeing her mind flip to the images of tigers jumping through hoops, flame-throwers juggling fire sticks, and monkeys serving
Crystal Walker February 16, 2022 No Comments
LGBTQ
The Gay Agenda (a poem)
Poems I wrote in quarantine, part 2 There is no collective bargaining for us No HR department mediating conflictNo board of ethics,Annual meetings, Budget proposals,
Casey Lawrence January 24, 2022 2 Comments
The home of the weird and the wonderful
The Dragon is coming to tea. Grandmother sends me to The Village at dawn with a list and a handcart. Multiversal Mart (Unlimited Indulgence. Family
Sam Muller September 23, 2022 No Comments
alien
Screwed by Frankie Frog
“Who’s your favorite?” The woman looked up from her book, tossing her dark hair out of her eyes. “Excuse me?” Alan hadn’t meant to speak.
Tim McDaniel January 29, 2022 1 Comment
end of world
Judgement
They swarmed in droves, moving like a herd of cattle fleeing the cracking whip. All one hundred and fifty billion of them — every person
Tlase Morwane October 15, 2023 No Comments
AI
Blinking Noon and Midnight
Len put down the book. He’d been kidding himself for an hour at least; the sweater wasn’t enough. The place was just too darn cold.
Tim McDaniel February 18, 2022 No Comments
#Halloween
Friendly Reminder: It’s OK to Eat Your Kid’s Halloween Candy (So They Don’t Have to)
It’s finally here. The day we’ve all been dreading. This is when the clock really starts. Halloween was just the lead-up to this nightmare. Now
Greg Thomas October 31, 2023 No Comments
time travel
Everyone’s a Critic
Melton Welch rubbed his eyes. After an all night session at the computer, his eyes itched and his hands were cramping. He thought there might
Tim McDaniel December 21, 2021 2 Comments
#women
Vibe Diva
As insane as it may seem I remember once I’ve had a dream, Pristine in every single aspect, all colorful and drastic, She appeared to
Andrey Lukyanov April 26, 2022 2 Comments
The Girl Who Wasn’t Sara
Eric first noticed the girl as she was getting off the train. He couldn’t see her face from where he was sitting, but from behind
Qing Yang November 14, 2021 No Comments
brag
The Horned Horror
Every boy at the lunch table was leaning forward. Steve was almost drooling, his mouth hanging slack. Julian picked at a pimple while staring at
Tim McDaniel January 2, 2022 No Comments
Children
Footnote
A light-hearted, playful poem and a reminder of one of the joys of having young children around! This is the tale ofWhere you have been;It’s
This Life's Illusions May 4, 2022 12 Comments
acting
Method Acting
Derrick LaBlanc, member of the Screen Actor’s Guild Secret Action Group, locked eyes with the sweaty thug and waited for him to blink. All he
Tim McDaniel February 3, 2022 No Comments
Iceland
I Was Almost T-Boned by a Fighter Jet – My Wildest Travel Story
All I wanted to do was bring my husband some damn spaghetti. Photo by PiPhoto by Pixabay from Pexelsxabay from Pexels Early in my marriage,
Crystal Walker July 10, 2022 No Comments
Frogs
A Love Song for the Hard of Hearing
Some frogs seem to be louder than others. This poem was inspired by some particularly deafening ones which dominate a memory decades later. *** In
This Life's Illusions June 2, 2022 22 Comments
Romantic Comedy
Matchmakers | Chapter 10 | The Honey Trap
Photo by Mae Mu on Unsplash At the studio, Maisie engulfs herself in her work. After hours alternating through various backgrounds and light combinations for
Crystal Walker March 25, 2022 No Comments
Fight
Poetry Slam
I thought that I would never see A fight regarding poetry. Life can venture nothing worse, Than fisticuffs o’er flowing verse. * If poems be
Donald J. Bingle August 29, 2022 1 Comment
fairy
The Fairy Godfather
I fluttered into the Don’s inner office and hovered there, my wings beating a hundred times a second, waiting for him to notice me. The
Tim McDaniel January 5, 2022 2 Comments
#women
The Fitting Room
It started with a tap tap tap. Startled, I opened the door to my fitting room, peeking out. I expected to see a sales clerk
Casey Lawrence January 31, 2022 50 Comments
Life
I Cannot Do Puzzles Anymore
While cleaning my study last weekend, I found a block puzzle that I used to spend hours playing when I was a kid (see picture
TzeLin Sam June 21, 2022 8 Comments
Colors
It Is Up To You
The notion of love and beauty is still there right? One might start to believe, especially with the last few years, that it’s an outmoded
Andrey Lukyanov April 26, 2022 No Comments
Zero Blaque and Fu Fu Forest
Stuart Polkinghorne would soon make his escape. After years of dreaming of other places, months of shopping at renaissance faires, weeks of practicing an English
Tim McDaniel April 4, 2022 No Comments
blackmail
The List
The front door – that’s where they would come through. The house did have a back door, in the kitchen, but there were piles of
Tim McDaniel December 24, 2021 No Comments
Poem
Harry’s Perspective
This poem was inspired by your responses to my post yesterday, ‘A Hairy Morning’. It threaded it’s way into my head last night when I
This Life's Illusions May 30, 2022 10 Comments
folklore
Self-Care for the Cursed
So you’ve been cursed with a Toko. Life often comes with unexpected twists and turns. Check out these top ten tips for self-care before you
Reina Cruz June 15, 2022 2 Comments
romance
Matchmakers
Table of Contents | Serialized Fiction | Romantic Comedy Image created by the author via Canva; Image sourced by Pixabay Bad date after bad date,
Crystal Walker February 6, 2022 4 Comments