“A toothbrush, please.” “What?” I stepped back from the fool. “How about a pencil?” “Charlie Chaplin never had a pencil.” A joke couldn’t hurt. “You think he wrote everything by pen?” He did not even smile. Simply pointed to his upper lip. I opened the door of my barbershop and saw him out. Afterword The […]
The crossroads demon forms in the mist, folding spiked wings. “Your desire?” “To never grow old, someplace hot.” Razor-sharp claws open my chest, and pain is all I know. Then, nothing. I wake in a fiery wasteland, tortured screams filling the sulphurous air. ‘God, help me.’ But even he can’t. It’s hot as… Afterword The
‘Set,’ yells the starter. I raise my back knee off the track, coming up into position. In the next lane, Ben does likewise. Maybe if he beats me, he’ll have the confidence to finally ask me out. Not that I’ll compromise my principles to give him an easy win. Bring on the pistol. Afterword The
‘You promised me marshmallows.’ Her pink gumboots squelch in the mud. ‘We’re almost there.’ I avoid a patch of deep water. ‘The whole plant’s edible.’ ‘Marshmallows aren’t a plant, silly.’ ‘Here’s one.’ Pale flower clusters top soft-haired stems. Given her expression, I’m glad I packed the confectionery—once made with this plant’s root. Afterword The mission:
Our captain’s trying to run us aground; I can’t wait. Starboard ripples announce our target. The depth sounder pings. Before long, the tide beaches us on our very own (temporary) island studded with starfish. I sink my bare feet into smooth sand, cricket bat in one hand and picnic hamper in the other. Afterword The
