She looked at them and tried to imagine what that sense of collective belonging felt like; being part of a group of friends who had managed to remain close for so long. Looking at the old photographs now, she was almost jealous of their bond. Something she knew she’d never had. Year after year, pageContinue reading “Familiar”
Category Archives: Dark & Disturbing
The Collector
He looks at it and pushes away the carnal, blinding urges; to spit, to vomit, to tear; the rage screaming between his ears, telling him that the box is his – rightfully his – and that he should reclaim it with neither payment nor mercy, should snatch it back, and make the unworthy worm payContinue reading “The Collector”
Rule of Three
I looked… inspired. Indeed, you did. That was amazing! Watch your step. I was amazing. Rather! Well done. Rock and roll! Well… party politics. I. Am. Buzzing. They liked you. A total knockout. First conference speech. First of many. Always very memorable. Blackpool – fucking – illuminations. Come this way. Blackpool Pleasure… Bitch. Turn rightContinue reading “Rule of Three”
No Returns
She looked at it and chewed the inside of her mouth. The auction had been running for almost twenty-four hours and with five minutes left there wasn’t a single bid. Of all the items listed, this was the only one unsold. The countdown clicked to four minutes. “Come on,” she muttered. “It’s designer, with noContinue reading “No Returns”
Finger Food
I’ve looked at him and registered nothing, just my own reflection in the glass that’s separating us, I didn’t notice anyone on the other side of it, not at first. I just wanted to eat my lunch. Look, bear in mind I’ve been up since 3am, and I’ve spent a day battling my way throughContinue reading “Finger Food”
The Tomb of Memories
He looked at them and stood suddenly motionless. Moments before he was scrambling in the cramped, darkness of the wings, his arms raking in the jumble of costumes that had been frantically discarded. Now, standing in the underbelly of the theatre, the stagehand was scrambling instead to process the scene before him. At the farthestContinue reading “The Tomb of Memories”
The Kink
They look at him and cheer. Sixty thousand people. Right there, in the palm of his hand. Man. Woman. Young. Old. Doesn’t matter. They radiate joy on sight. His appeal universal. A promoters dream. Chest out, he waves back, leeching their applause. But there’s trouble. His set is yet to begin and already he’s panting.Continue reading “The Kink”
The Autarky
She looks at him and suppresses her natural revulsion. It’s an ability that, prior to working here, was hitherto unknown. Over the last four months however, it’s become well-practised. Honed even. Dream job? More like a waking nightmare. Because of him. ‘The Autarky?’ she asks, her tone level. ‘That’s correct,’ he says, his eyes notContinue reading “The Autarky”
Déjà Vu Über Alles
She’s looked at me and smiled. Smiled. Right. And then it’s hit me. When she’s looked at you and smiled. Yeah. And it’s not the first time. It’s not? No. We’ve talked about this before, remember? So what did you do then? What? When? When she looked at you and smiled. You know what happenedContinue reading “Déjà Vu Über Alles”
The Punchline
He looked at it and experienced a familiar sense of wonder and worthlessness. Throughout his long life, gazing up at the sky each night had been a comfort. A constant. And although the great expanse often made him question the pointless struggle of a person’s life, it still filled him with optimism. Space was aContinue reading “The Punchline”
Pl@tpav - Telling Stories 