Off LimitsMary is unusually quiet on the drive home from the doctor's visit. I'm so wrapped up in my own excitement that I don't even notice until she breaks the silence. "Well, now that we know it's going to be a boy, how do you feel about Jonathan?""It's nice, but I still prefer Jacob.""I was just thinking. I mean, I only met him a few times when I was little, but it was my grandfather's name."Her sudden change of mind puzzles me. She didn't have any stronger relationship with her grandfather than I had with my own granddad, so why does it matter? "I'm sorry if you like that name better, but you know how it is. Pop would throw a fit if I didn't
DeploymentI asked him to stay but he went anyway. I don't know if it's right, but I must fight across alien waters where night becomes day.I asked him to stay but he went anyway.He thinks peace only comes after we pay. Lord, please preserve my life with your might.I asked him to stay but he went anyway. I don't know if it's right, but I must fight.
Write What You KnowDarkness descended upon the city, awakening its more unsavory elements to stalk the shadows and prey upon the innocent. Bestial men took to the streets, no less greedy or savage than their distant caveman ancestors. Something else was awakened by the night as well, something just as ancient as man's most primitive forbearers, but far more deadly. Fog surrounded its muzzle as hot breath left its nostrils and made contact with the bitter winter air. The cold could not touch it. It breathed deep, feeling invigorated as it set out to begin its favorite activity.Hey sis,I'm so glad to hear you'll be able to make it down here for Christmas. It
Hiding from PaulDr. Baldwin: Hello, I am Dr. Rodney Baldwin and I've been assigned to your case. Do you understand why you are here?Nancy Keener: Yes, but I've already told them I had nothing to do with it. I never visited the Sorensens. It was Paul. Why won't you people believe me?Dr. Baldwin: I want to believe you, I really do. Things just aren't adding up for me though. Would you like to tell me what happened, starting at the beginning?Nancy Keener: Might as well, even though I must have told it a dozen times already. I don't expect you to believe me any more than they did.Dr. Baldwin: I am not here to judge. These are strange times indeed, with w
TickTockAs far as I can remember, dogs don't usually come with a large, fully functioning clock face imbedded into their abdomens. They do drool a lot though, and this one was living up to that part of his species' reputation."I am TickTock, Defender of Time. I have come a long way from the land of Phantom Tollbooth to give you a message."Beads of spittle fall from droopy jowls to the rhythm of ticks and tocks."Phantom Tollbooth? Like that book we had to read in middle school?""Yes. I needed to take a form which you would recognize and respond to, so I pulled this image from your memory.""OK. Why the weird name? The dog in the book was call
The Atomic Bomb PlanTom Massey stood back and watched as the two armed men opened the door of the small room and went in first, closing it after them. Their movements were slow and cautious, as if the weapons they held were not sufficient to calm their fears of what lay within the room. A few moments later the door was opened again and they signaled for him to enter.Tom could see that the men were tense as he rejoined them, eyes glued to the man sitting at the table on the other side of the room. With his tall stature, sharply chiseled features, and cold blue eyes Tom was quite an intimidating figure himself. Perhaps if his attitude matched his appearance, he
DLD Day 5 - OceanI decided to drown in the ocean.Such seductive self-termination,a strange end to my sad situation. My neighbors neglected the notionthat pulled me in like a powerful potion.Elegant girls elated by extermination?But I was the damsel who defied damnation!I let the water lubricate my soul like a lotion.They wept and did not understand my wish.Searching for my body in the salty sea,finally giving up to leave me where I lie. But fate had the final say- I became the fishthat enjoy the endless waves for eternity.Somewhere between sapphire sea and sky.
DLD Day 4 - TightropeTigeronna tightrope. What're you gonna do, dance for him?Oh, he'd surely love that."Dinner and a show, how thoughtful!" Better use your best moves.Who knows how longkitty's patience lasts?Wait andsee.He aint impressed. How could heappreciate such human clumsiness? Watch him pull uppa chair."This is how it's done, fool!"Wooden legs balanced on string. How could you possiblycompete with that?He's graceincarnate.Now you're stuck. Oh, but youknew this'd happen, right?He's desperate for an audience. "Gaze upon my elegance and beauty!"Bragging rights are earned dangerously. Why watch the bl
Bailey's CakeSusan hummed to herself as she set the oven to preheat for Bailey's birthday surprise. OK, so maybe it wasn't going to be much of a surprise with her sitting there watching, but it's the thought that counts, right? She paused in her preparations to lean over and give the black and tan German shepherd a scratch behind its silky soft ears. Bailey panted and thumped her tail against the floor, always eager for more attention.Susan thought about her while she greased the cake tin. Ten was a big year for a dog, especially one of Bailey's size. She had been such a good friend for all their years together, it was hard to imagine that someday soon
A Shadow in the SunThe United States of America has been taken over by terrorists. I know this because the angels told me.Warned me, actually. Their voices were soft at first. Distant, unfocused. I didn't understand, but I listened and soon it all became clear to me. So clear. They had chosen me- me of all people, to divulge this vital information to. I felt honored, but at the same time very frightened. These terrorists have controlled the country for many years now. I do not know how many exactly, as the angels do not consider that detail important enough to tell me. What they have told me is this- that the terrorists are in control of every as
Doctor's OrdersYou hide yourself upon the streetin the darkness, so discrete. Silly humans, you have us beat.Or so you think, until we meet.Once the hunter, now the prey, I follow you through night and daywatching, waiting, until I maycorner you and have my way.Surprise surprise!Canine in form, but what beliesyou are your pretty human eyes.I see through your disguise.The lion becomes a lamb,the beast is now a manon his knees begging me to change my plan, but I do not think I can.Fear not, the doctor is on calland I prescribe a shot of Telazol.There there, rest your head upon that walllest you bump it when you fall.A p
Tabula Rasa - ViolatedChapter OnePassing through an alleyway on his nightly patrol for food, the dog chose a promising smelling dumpster. After digging through it for a minute he snatched a bag and jumped out, then set it on the ground and shook vigorously. Dirty napkins and used packets of ketchup went flying, leaving his shaggy black coat smeared and matted. Grasping the brown paper bag with his teeth, he tore it apart and began to eat.He had just finished wolfing down the remains of a burger and moved on to some French fries when he realized he was no longer alone. The scent caught him off guard, masked by the smell of the garbage. As he lifted his head he
Found Poem - Scare MeYou... don't want to know.Scare me.
Found Poem - Sleeping BeautyI'm a sleeping beauty.My beauty just hasn'tawakened yet.
Call of the LonelyWhatwas that strange sound outside?It was like nothingI have ever heard before.Screams of ponies put into panic.A siren song that slithers deep into my ear. It tells me,Open thedoor.Istep outsideinto the rain.At night the coldcurtain of rain changes everything.Muddied watercolors mixed carelessly on paper.It is all so darkand drab and obscure.I might aswell beblind.He is waiting for me here.So joyful I haveanswered the call he sang.Blank eyes of cloudy cornflower blue.He does not need tosee to understand beauty.Now he willnever belonely.
A Message from SC Nighttime had fallen in the small neighborhood, but it was hardly the time of peace and rest that everyone was used to. Something terrible had happened, unimaginable in one of the safest and quietest parts of town. The tired man ran his fingers through messy brown hair as he told his wife to stay inside and look after the children. He did not want them to see this. He did not want them to be exposed to this, but he found himself inexplicably drawn to it. He had to know. The yellow tape had already been placed around the house and at least a dozen policemen were going ba
Why Michael did not Wake Up One day as Michael was crossing the street he got hit by a car, a nasty pedestrian collision. The jolt to his system ripped consciousness from his body and sent it hurtling into the depths of the Dream World. Nothing seemed out of place though, so he continued on as usual. The desert sands were hot and sticky beneath his feet as he climbed the top of the great dune and looked upon the rough plane below. Stones. Stones as far as the eye could see. Large and small short and tall and all the same shade of Basic Boring Black. There were other black things too. Mo
Whitney - A Wolf is not a ManI loved you.Why could I notforesee this?Clean blood from yourpretty face. Remind myselfthat a wolf is not a man.
Surprise Betty stops by to talk to Darrell during her lunch break and notices the big red circle that marks the 22nd on the little calendar tacked up on the wall of his cubicle. Betty goes to Frank and tells him that they should do something special for Darrell on his birthday. Frank suggests to Mary that she buy some colorful balloons for their little party since Darrell has been acting a bit depressed lately and could use some cheering up. Mary asks Susan to bake some of her special homemade chocolate chip cookies, Darrell’s favorite as well as everyone else’s. Susan comes up with the idea of buying one
The Yellow Dress My mother did not believe in wearing black to funerals. She did not fear death. It held no sadness for her. Instead of mourning a loss, she insisted on celebrating the passage of a person into a higher state of being. This tendency of hers always irritated me. I do not know if I am justified in feeling that way toward her. Perhaps it would not have bothered me as much if it were not for the events surrounding the death of my father. I was only seven years old when he died. A stroke took him, a freak accident of nature to strike someone who should have had so much more o
Glosa-Serious and Funny TransFoot in the jungle that leave no mark! Eyes that can see in the dark - the dark! Tongue - give tongue for it! Hear! Oh, hear! Once, twice, and again!The sky, packs ready sing. Every song of the wolf through his wavy know That night we once arranged for the attack has fallen. We come with a fierce forms and run on Foot in the jungle that leave no mark!It would be cheating her smell, the sambhur startled. He darts ahead, the deer of the swiftest. Fur in a stampede by the stigma put As we rapidly around the fear Eyes that can see in the dark - the dark!Phone with its lusty feed your fear. Snap in her heels, and can
Gold and Black Death The flash of movement catches my eyes and draws my attention like a beacon. This is perfect. I have it exactly where I want it. The tiny creature’s mother was not paying attention. Now it has wandered off and will soon be delivered into my waiting jaws. As I move through the tall grass I am stealth incarnate. With these softly padded paws no creature will ever pick up the sound of my approach. With this tawny banded coat no creature will ever see death as it creeps closer. Gold as grassland. Black as shadow. I am invisible. So close n
Sta.sh
