A short comedy-horror story, now available as a Kindle eBook. Hellhound and graveyard guardian Grimur fell asleep on the job. By the time he woke up hundreds of years later, the graves were gone and humans had developed automobiles. He had two options: check in with Beelzebub for his next assignment — never pleasant —Continue reading “Everything in between”
Category Archives: Short stories
“The Last Man on Earth” at Change Seven
“Which is better, a flush or a straight?” Raul ruffled the tops of his cards and bit his lip. He nudged Hammersmith, who was staring into the rafters of the theater, his jaw slack. “What?” Hammersmith asked groggily. Julia returned from the bathroom and opened another can of grapefruit soda. “Which is better, a flushContinue reading ““The Last Man on Earth” at Change Seven”
“Making the List” at Metaphorosis
“It started with a routine-sounding letter from my health insurance company. I opened it quickly because I was in the mood for a snack, and there was a little picture of cherries on the lower right corner of the envelope indicating that they had used cherry-flavored paper, my favorite. I learned that I would needContinue reading ““Making the List” at Metaphorosis”
Freeport Drive
When I swung forward, I leaned back so far that the trees were upside down. I enjoyed the giddy feeling in my stomach, but eventually the rope burned my hands and I got off the swing and swayed, slightly dizzy, on the ground. The rope was tied to a tree limb at the top andContinue reading “Freeport Drive”
“Bartleby’s Preference” at Crack the Spine
Yuri led an ordered life. He woke up at 7 am, and his breakfast always included half a grapefruit eaten with a serrated spoon. It took him 12½ minutes to bike to his job as a network security consultant and 13½ minutes to bike back (he lived uphill). The hour before bedtime was spent readingContinue reading ““Bartleby’s Preference” at Crack the Spine”
“Salsa” at Story Shack
The bell above the door rings as Fran enters the small store wearing a purse over her shoulder. She approaches the counter, and Steve, who has been leaning on the counter with his chin cupped in his hand, straightens up, looking mildly surprised. “Good morning,” says Fran. “Mornin’.” “I’d like to buy something, please.” Read the rest atContinue reading ““Salsa” at Story Shack”
“Orientation” at Bartleby Snopes
“Excuse me, sir.” “Yes?” “This is going to sound strange, but what year is this?” “Not at all, it’s 2917. October 6th.” Read the rest at Bartleby Snopes
“The Meditations of Fra Colleoni” at Gravel
“But does it work?” Dr. Seaver leaned back in his chair and blew on his mug of instant soup. The steam fogged his glasses. “Of course not. It’s just a thought experiment.” “Oh,” I said, picking up a doohickey on the professor’s desk. “Of course.” The doohickey, or maybe gizmo is a better word, hadContinue reading ““The Meditations of Fra Colleoni” at Gravel”
“Proof” at Revolution John
“A boy adjusts the position of a box of tissues on his desk and sits cross-legged on his bed. It is a Sunday afternoon and he has nothing else to do. The door to his room is closed, and nobody will bother him before dinnertime. He has all afternoon to make the box of tissuesContinue reading ““Proof” at Revolution John”
With Fanfare, and Without
We entered the sandy arena three abreast and stopped in the center. We raised our trumpets, flags adorning the extra-long bells, and began to play. I have always gotten a thrill from the bright sound of tightly harmonized trumpets, especially when I have helped produce it. Halfway through, the two trumpeters on the outside turnedContinue reading “With Fanfare, and Without”
David Hammond 