A no-name, aspiring author who can’t stop writing. Looking ahead, he strives for perfection. Shackled by various forms of entertainment, he dreams of success. Most stories here are an invitation to YOU, to join me in creating new stories, new worlds, and a different tomorrow.
Stories
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John Holland is a Horrible Man: Sticks and Stones
John Holland worked with his three illegitimate daughters in a small office in San Francisco. Each thought she was the only one and believed that the other two were mistresses. He didn’t see any need to correct them. According to the yellow pages...
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Treason for Fun and Profit
Robert tossed the message into the fire with disgust. He had read the orders a dozen times in growing disbelief but the words never changed. The court was going to lose two of its most prominent knights after dinner. While he admitted to being a mite r...
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No Screaming
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Acceptance does not mean Encouragement
Ramar locked eyes with Jhendayre and shook his head. “We will never be evenly matched- but this will help.” He reached out and called upon the bond, the first application of magic that every sword-mage learns. The sword hanging above the fi...
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Anti-buddies
“Taking advice from a crazy person makes you just as crazy and equally culpable.” I said more calmly than I felt. “But she sounds like she knows what she is talking about and she is just so damned sincere!” Jason toyed with his ...
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Wake to Dream Again
Sid was waiting for me where I’d left him. Our eyes met and he said. “It’s time to go back.” I knew he wasn’t just talking about returning to the house and I became afraid. “You mean I have to go back to the way I wa...
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The Bodhi Tree
I rolled over onto my back and finally really saw the Bodhi tree. It was immense with giant gnarled roots that made natural benches. The trunk stood straight and tall as true virtue, with wide branches that split into smaller ones tipped with giant lea...
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Writers Beware
“Heinlein was right!” bellowed a voice from outside. Footsteps vaulted up my front steps and before I could say “No crazies allowed”, my front door buckled and fell in. I tossed the book I was reading aside and glared at the pan...
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Riksur the Accursed: Family Matters
Riksur’s hand, raised to strike his brother again, fell limply. “You fool. How many times did I warn you that your appetites were going to be trouble.” He sighed. “I suppose it was my fault. I am the eldest and I knew- I knew!- ...
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The Pain of Rebirth
There was a stillness at the center, not just a stillness, a calmness, and a kind of loving certainty that prompts poets to try to define True Love; a love without limit. Overwhelmed by the utter pureness of the emotion, I stumbled and fell to my knees...
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A Return to Innocence
Sid stopped and his voice became solemn. “I will wait for you. These last steps are your own.” “I thought you were my guide?” I asked in puzzlement. “I am that I am.” he replied. I felt a muted suspicion rise within ...
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The Secrets of Our Gardens (Part 2: Accursed Springs)
We continued following the dirt path which had leveled out nicely, until Sid stopped us again. “From here you can see the training ground of accursed springs.” I looked at Sid. “Why would we have that here?” “I think you a...
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Into the Gardens (Part 1)
I was feeling irritated and wanted to be alone. Rooms filled with raucous laughter flowed past me as I quickened my steps, hurrying through the Sun Room to the outside before I could snap at anyone else. My feet moved as if of their own accord, followi...
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Into the Gardens (Part 2)
I returned the man’s friendly bow. Even though he was holding a old-fashioned broom he radiated calmness and respect. He leaned the broom against the twisting trunk of a great tree and dusted off his hands. “I thought you would be more comf...
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The Secrets of Our Gardens (Part 1)
The old man’s name was Sid and he set a pace that reminded me of Tai Chi- insidiously easy. We weren’t moving very fast but after only a few steps I was sweating like I’d run a marathon. Sid chattered happily as we moved through the G...
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"Failure is a Hole that Swallows an Entire Family"
Riksur hurried down the wide streets, sweat rolling down his face. It was hot but not unusual for the time of year. He sweat for the same reason he ran- he was terrified. He passed a temple priestess, wrapped in flowing cloth that had started white, st...
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On Patrol: Weathering the First Storm
“Well that explains a lot.” Firus mused. “I wondered why you were staying so close to me. I thought you were afraid.” “I am afraid.” I said, pacing back and forth in the cramped quarters of the armory. “I’...
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Anachronism? Or Legacy?
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Riding the Wave from the Gulf of Silence
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Bitterness for Two
I yelled over the din to the bartender. “Gimme two more rounds! One for me and for Skinny Matt.” Kat nodded and brought up a pair of rum and Coke’s with a flourish. “I hate that nickname.” Skinny Matt said. “What? Wh...
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Another Rock, Another Resting Place
Monica coughed once. Gasping, she tried to get the words out but her mouth wasn’t working right. She didn’t fail in anything and she would not fail in this. Spartans did not fail. Monica coughed again- and was still. Inside Monica’s h...
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Losing the Human Element
O’riley was alone in the dark. There was no light, no vibrancy; no emotion. Outside in the real world only seconds (4.119) had passed, but as an A.I. he could speed up his own processing. Subjectively he gave himself the equivalent an hour. It wa...
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A Quick Heart to Heart
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A Host of Second Chances
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On Patrol: Divergence, Convergence
“I stopped talking to him when he starting toting the value of his ‘time-compass’. Worthless junk if you ask me, and I almost lost his friendship telling him so. Now what’s this claptrap about him sending you to watch my back?&#...
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When Words Fail
“If you’re waiting on my approval, then you’ll be waiting a mighty long time.” Ramar said dismissively. “I was afraid that you were going to be unreasonable.” “I don’t think I am being unreasonable. You a...
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Measure for Measure
Ramar looked up at his student with disdain. “You were going to blackmail me into giving up my greatest accomplishment to you? A student that didn’t even bother to finish his studies?” “I have great need-” “I donR...
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Another Page, Another Adventure
A hint of burnt ozone hung in the air, the only sign of the Door that had opened moments ago. “Where are we this time?” Robert asked. “You know the answer to that.” Zxvasdf chided, his hands doing the talking. Robert was still a...
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Diamonds in the Night: A Diplomatic Edge
“Our men are everywhere. We own this building. It’s only a matter of time until you are caught.” Barbara flinched as Jacqueline adjusted her hold on the knife. “No wait- don’t!” “I don’t want to hurt you,...
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Serendipitous? Time Will Tell
Sometimes it takes an outside source, or the serendipitous accumulation of several outside sources to receive a message that is meant only for you. It can be part of a movie, a song, or a written phrase. It might even be something that you’ve see...