I placed the football down on the penalty spot. Heart thumping, I took three strides back and then one to my left. One last glance at the goal and a deep breath. I knew what I had to do. All 9 takers prior to me had converted their spot-kicks. Score, and the shoot-out went to sudden death; miss, and we'd lost the county cup final. I began my run-up, knowing I planned to put the ball into the top-right corner of the goal, out of the keeper's reach.

Masks XXVIII: Old School

by

Rodford Edmiston

Part Six

The Monday morning briefing at the Detroit office of the Bureau of Special Resources was always interesting. This one was especially so. Only partly due to having two special guest speakers.

Photo by Ron Lach

The Flood

I learned early that the view from inside a bra is far superior to the view without one.

Seriously.

Chapter 3

It wasn’t far from the track to the turning, and I stopped at the gate and reached behind me, finding the button in my bag, under a lot of money. I pressed the button and the gate opened. I drove slowly to the house, now surrounded by Rollers, Bentleys, and big Mercedes. I parked the Aston, and we got out.

“Do you think we can put the money in the boot, I feel a bit vulnerable with it in my bag?”

“Sure thing, there’s a button to press.”

Jack O' Lanterns, Moonlight, and Magic
By
Rebecca Anna Coleman

Chapter One: Spirit of Halloween

Masks XXVIII: Old School

by

Rodford Edmiston

Part Four

Vic and her boss were meeting one of the archivists working to examine and conserve the Operators' lair and its contents. The three of them were all currently seated in Drake's small office.

"We finally heard from a family member of one of the Operators," said the archivist. "She's a great-granddaughter of Captain Sticky, and an Internet influencer. She uses the online name Hannah Anna Banana."

"Ow," said Vic, wincing. "It's not even that popular of a song."

Chapter 2

On the way out, I was shown the entrance to the car park. Dee said she would express courier a ticket and parking pass to me at home on Monday, to be left in my box at the flats. All I needed now was to become like the other women, well dressed and blonde.

This is a bit of a re-released. I missed the end off of the story

Masks XXVIII: Old School

by

Rodford Edmiston

Part Three

"Turkey Jerky?" said Cal, reaching over to hold out a bag to his office mate.

"Thanks," said Vic. She gave a huge sigh as she accepted some of the smoked meat.

"You seem down."

"It's just... there are so many things which are just... hanging. The 'You're Arrested' mask murders, the identity of whoever hired those guys to steal the balance blades, the mastermind behind the fake volcano and that radioactive android at the Super Combat islands..."

When I woke up this morning I groped behind me to make sure my wife was still there in bed. My hand found hers and we gripped each other's hands in a morning embrace, just our fingers entwining. We’re both too old now for much in the way of shenanigans but a touch just gives you that warm feeling of lifelong companionship.

“You OK, love?” I asked her and she smiled at me as she always does.

Chapter 4

It was a very pleasant ride, despite the lack of comfort, and he asked me if he could take me to dinner that evening. I suggested the Wherry as a good place, and he told me that he would pick me up at seven.

Daisy Isabella Bell and Jamie Sarah Potter
A Sequel to “Daisy Isabella Crack's Her Egg”
Act III
A Friendship Breaks

The Hot Chocolate was thick, rich, and very creamy, it was a perfect drinkable treat on this cool, crisp, autumn afternoon. A peaceful since had fallen over Jamie and I as we both sipped on our drinks. Jamie seemed to be deep in thought and I was wondering how long this little meeting was going to last. I hoped this meeting would soon end, so I could retreat back to the warmth and comfort of my bedroom.

Me, My Brother, and the Last Night of Summer
Copyright 2024 by Heather Rose Brown

This is a short story about a preteen nonbinary kid trying to deal with gender issues, and what happens when a sibling with similar but different issues reaches out to them.

Masks XXVIII: Old School

by

Rodford Edmiston

Part One

Vic's new helmet was slightly bulkier than the previous one, but it was also actually lighter. Drake had called Vic to his office for the presentation. While her boss read aloud the note which came in the box, Vic examined her new headgear.

"Ugh," she said, peering it from various angles. "Looks like something a Star Wars Stormtrooper would wear."

In spite of this opinion she put it on. At least it fit well.

Chapter 33

Chugiak, Alaska

2:00 AM

It had been an eventful day for the Johnsons. That morning, or yesterday morning to be precise, they had no thought of a new child in their care. Now, in the guest room, a thirteen-year-old girl was in bed and would be for quite a while to come.

The ongoing saga of Oak Island ended and Bob stood up and stretched. It was a repeated episode from the tenth season, and he once again wondered if Mage, Chet, Marcia, and Darryl could solve the mysteries if they were to tackle it.

Macy stood hovering over her clothes-covered bed presiding over organised chaos like a monarch over her unruly subjects, she was putting forth as much consideration as she could to her potential outfit choices. It was the day after the BBQ and she was considering a blue glittery top her mother had bought her a couple of weeks ago. Even then she had been unable to figure out what it went with now looking at it again she was still at a complete loss. Sighing she set it down on the bed again and pulled out yet more skirts and pants in a vein hope it might work with one of them.

S

=^_^=

Chapter 2

When I looked more closely at his Italian passport, he had spent a couple of weeks there starting about five months after his wedding to Susan. It was almost every month for about four months. After the wedding, it picked up at the same rate, once more, until around two months ago, when he was shown entering and exiting the country. If he was hiding his other life by claiming business trips, Silvana would be getting worried by now.