“What are we doing, Ted?” “What do you mean? We planned this all out. We’re crashing the mayor’s election party. We just need to wait until the crowd is the right size so that we don’t stand out.” “Yeah, but why? Are you going through a midlife crisis?” “Midlife crisis? I’m only 35!” “Maybe you’re only gonna live to 70?” [...]

Marcus stepped out of the shower and snickered as the idea hit him. He wrapped his towel around his waist and walked to the living room. As expected, Angela sat on the sofa watching Passionate Desires. He lurked in the hallway listening for the commercials to end. As the show resumed, he used the voices as his queue to enter [...]

The gentle lapping of the oars as they dipped in and out of the water and creaked against their rests was the only sound for miles around as the old man and the boy made their way out across the water. The little rowing boat cast out wide ripples into the reflections of the still skies above, steely and pale [...]

“Come on. I want to get you a Christmas gift. Isn’t there something you want?” “I’ve got you. That’s more than I could have imagined this time last year.” “And you really didn’t get anything last year?” “I got my stomach pumped… on Christmas eve.” “Oh” “It’s ok. I’m clean now. Santa came to visit me in the hospital.” “Santa?” [...]

He sat in the car staring at the house. He glanced at the clock. Ten thirty. That should be about right. He didn’t want to go inside too early, Beth was always in a foul mood when she cooked Thanksgiving dinner. He didn’t want to be too late, either, though. Then he would suffer her wrath for holding everything up [...]

The cart bounced as it descended further into the drift. Carl didn’t mind working underground. In fact, he enjoyed it. His mind turned to Bridgette, wondering where she was. It had now been exactly one week since she left. He thought about it regularly, especially on the rides into and out of the mine. She had always worried about him [...]

From up here the world looks so neat and orderly. The ground is sectioned off into various shapes, each a different shade of green or brown. Lights sparkle, highlighting the city areas. Roads twist and wind as they connect one cluster of lights to another. Is there a better place to be anywhere? But soon we will be landing and the [...]

“But I want to be a zombie!” “A zombie? Why? You’re nine. Can’t you be something cute – like a fairy or a cat? What about Cinderella?” “I could be a Cinderella zombie.” Mom rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips. “We are not buying zombie stuff. End of story. So either pick something else or let’s [...]

“Unhand me, you scalawag! Who dares enter the captain’s quart..ers..” Captain Will’s voice trailed off as his eyes widened and his body stiffened. “I’d suggest ye shut your trap. You really don’t want any more visitors at the moment.” Will neither nodded nor spoke as he examined the creature before him. Its grip was surprisingly strong given that it had [...]

“You’re gonna be pulling hoses today. We’re pairing you up with Frank. Follow his lead.” Eli leaned in close and raised his voice to be heard over the siren’s wail. Neil nodded his head in understanding. “It sounds like we have a house fire.” Clark turned from the front seat as he spoke. “Possibly two people inside. You want to [...]