“Murphy understood the law and knew justice. He also knew that the two were often not the same. To catch the bad guy and win a confession, you had to be willing to step outside the box and take chances. That’s what made him a great cop. But that didn’t give him the right to take the law in his own hands. All he had to do was have a boy examined to confirm his true gender and now his mistake was going to cost him. Maybe his job? Maybe a demotion?
But then nothing in this case was turning out like it should. He should have seen this coming. He should have known that you can test the odds and you can test your resolve, but never pit your luck against Murphy’s Law. Because sure as the devil will get his due, anything that can go wrong, will go wrong!”
It has been a while since I have written anything. I have a tendency to write things (vaguely) related to my life and this story continues that. I also have a tendency to let the story almost write itself, so at this point, I have no idea where I am going with it. Please bear with me:
Stevie finds himself exploring more and more of his feminine side as he settles into
his sister's home and begins caring for her family. Thank you to everyone who
commented on the first installment. I do love knowing that you are all well and
hearing from you. I appreciate your support. A word or warning, though - I do try
to explore the feelings, emotions and motivations of my characters and that
requires using words.
A big couple of days for Hunter. A big dance, a big game and a big talk with his dad.
It's a lot for a little kid whose already going through a lot. Thank you, thank you,
thank you for all your comments and support. Honestly, I was afraid that this story
may not connect with a lot of people. Hunter is a much younger protagonist than I
ever created before. I'm so happy that he has captured your hearts the same way
that he captured mine.
Emily's world is a whirlwind of chaos, pressure, and emotional storms. At school, she faces relentless humiliation; at home, a stifling environment offers no solace. With each moment piling on more weight, Emily struggles to navigate a day where emotions run high and resilience is tested to its breaking point. This chapter delves deep into the fragility of adolescence, the complexities of family, and the simmering power of unspoken courage.
Hunter realizes a few things about himself and gets dressed up to attend his friend's
bat mitzvah party. I am so happy that so many of you are enjoying this story. I truly
appreciate you letting me know that you're reading and what you think about the story.
For those of you who feel that characters have reached resolution already or that
Hunter's health is being neglected, all I can suggest is - read on. Thank you!!!
In this chapter, Emily navigates the challenges of coming out as gender fluid while facing relentless bullying from Trevor, whose cruel taunts escalate in and out of school. Despite the overwhelming humiliation, Emily finds solace and unwavering support in their best friend, Jasmine, who stands up for them at every turn. As Emily grapples with fear and self-doubt, a spark of determination begins to grow, hinting at resilience in the face of adversity.
As Hunter, with the support of most of his family, begins to become more accepting of
his situation, his father, Bob, is having problems coming to terms with losing his son.
In this chapter, Emily braves the first days of eighth grade, battling relentless insecurities, cruel whispers, and the sting of poverty. Amidst the humiliation and loneliness, an unexpected ally, Jasmine, offers a small but powerful gesture of kindness, giving Emily a fragile hope to hold onto.
A group of people wake up in a video game world and are forced to work together to survive and find out how to escape.
Artemis completes the mission with the help of an ‘ally?’
Chapter 15 Recap.
It hesitates, its tone softening even more. “I want what you want, Artemis,” it says. “To survive to thrive. To protect those you care about. But to do that, we need, each other.”
Trapped in a suffocating cycle of control and neglect, in this chapter, Emily struggles to endure the relentless demands of her mother. Each day brings backbreaking chores, bitter compromises, and the gnawing ache of isolation. As she clings to fading memories of the Carters and whispers promises of escape, a fragile spark of defiance begins to grow within her, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the bleak monotony of her world.
Hunter is facing a summer of solitude due to his condition, but maybe there is hope for attending a
different summer camp? Attending would mean some changes, though...
I am truly thrilled that you enjoyed Chapter 1. I hope that you enjoy Chapter 2 as well!
In this chapter, the tension is palpable from the start. A morning filled with sharp words and heavier silences leads to an unexpected confrontation at the door, where deep emotions and conflicting loyalties collide. The air is thick with fear and frustration, as the protagonist struggles against the weight of control and the desperate hope for something better. Fleeting moments of kindness provide a fragile anchor, but the storm of anger and power leaves no room for escape. The chapter unfolds with raw intensity, capturing the suffocating reality of a world where every choice feels like a risk.
Just as summer vacation begins, Hunter's family discovers that he's been hiding two very big secrets.
I hope that everyone is healthy and happy in this very challenging world. Here's a little bit of sweet
fluff that, hopefully, will make you feel better as the story goes on.
"Magic?" Laura repeated. "If you mean like stage magic, then no.
And it's not a joke. I mean, at the prices they charge,
it's not a joke that could go very far."
Cassiel was helping Turiel to his feet when Krux’s military force finally swarmed the cavern, his soldiers bursting through the steel doors or clambering over the broken stones of the walls. Seeing three angels as the only ones moving, they didn’t know what to do. Deciding it was safer to simply leave us alone, they spread out to check the numerous cultists unconscious or dead splayed messily across the cracked tiles.
In this chapter, Emily grapples with her mother’s neglect and irresponsible behavior, leading to a heated confrontation. Seeking refuge, she finds comfort and kindness at a neighbor's home, where she experiences a stark contrast to her chaotic life. Faced with a choice, she decides to stay with the neighbors, marking a pivotal step toward finding stability and safety.
I, my good friend Paul, a couple passing acquaintances, and several other people who were complete strangers to me were convinced by various of our friends to help them run one of those interactive entertainment events. We didn’t know our friends were associated with such a thing, nor had we ever heard of this one. We were invited to a free run-through of the event so that we would know how it was supposed to work.
In this chapter, Emily returns home to find her house cloaked in an unsettling silence, its emptiness amplifying her feelings of loneliness and neglect. Desperation and hunger push her toward the warmth and safety of her best friend Jasmine's home, where she finds temporary solace in the kindness of the Carter family. Yet, even in their embrace, Emily grapples with the weight of her reality and the unrelenting pull of the life she can't escape. The chapter explores themes of resilience, longing, and the fragile hope found in small acts of compassion.
In this chapter, Emily navigates the tension between the oppressive confines of her home and the warmth of the Carter family, a place where she feels truly safe. Torn between her mother’s volatile control and her need for belonging, Emily finds herself drawn repeatedly to Jasmine’s house, despite the risks. The contrast between the two worlds is stark, painting a vivid picture of resilience, quiet rebellion, and the power of chosen family in the face of hardship.
Akari, driven by her unyielding determination and the dragon’s hearthstone in her possession, was acutely aware that her journey was far from its conclusion. The next phase in her quest to craft the divine artifact was to locate the rare pyresteel, a metal forged in the most scorching of volcanoes. She foresaw this leg of the journey to be as treacherous as the previous ones, but her resolve remained steadfast.
David woke to the soft rays of morning light streaming through his window, casting a warm glow over the room. The scent of fresh morning air filled his nostrils, and he could hear the distant chirping of birds. His mom was still asleep beside him, her breathing steady and calm. Smiling to himself, he climbed out of bed carefully, not wanting to disturb her. He could feel the softness of the sheets against his skin as he gently pulled the covers up over her shoulders before grabbing a fresh set of clothes and heading to the bathroom.
Cameron is back in command and it might be going easier than she expected - even with some tiny bumps along the way. Easy can become difficult in a flash and that might just happen with her ships smuggling client. She may have a vision after all these weeks away from the Exhibit Housing, question is was it purposely planted in her?
The rampaging anomaly was a rift in the pattern of not just this realm but the very fabric of existence, and words cannot encompass that which is beyond all meaning. Even memories of such contact naturally fail to record the true measure of horror and struggle.
A young girl named Emily, navigates life in a crumbling house filled with tension, where every creak and shadow reflects the weight of her world. The stark contrast between her surroundings and the life beyond her walls sets the stage for a powerful exploration of resilience and quiet longing.
When I was a teenager, I once made the mistake of tossing uneaten candy into the plastic bin besides my bed. During a hot summer’s night, up through the floorboards small black ants had acted on the report of whichever scout had discovered the bounty, and all swarmed the can.
In the coldest of air we gathered at the top of the Spires. Out of the rock face a matching henge to its counterpart at the embassy in Dis had long ago been excavated, though this one was not currently pockmarked from the insult of repeated energy blasts, having been resurfaced after its own checkered history. Twitch and Horatio stood at my side, while Vance, leaning on a short-yet-distinguished onyx cane and shivering underneath the thickest of silver-furred coats, had been busy examining all the sigils and workings carved into the stones - ensuring that each was still properly aligned.
"I wish men could have that experience," Camille said.
"... of being looked at like a piece of meat."
She managed to keep the edge of resentment out of her voice.
"That wouldn't work." Laura responded. "It wouldn't help at all.
Men would *love* being seen like meat, and being treated as sexual objects.
In their minds, it would work in their favor."
"You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it."
— Edith Head
This is the story of a pig-headed man who tries to prove a point
animated by his misunderstanding of dress sizes,
and more generally, by his inability to listen to others,
particularly women,
and especially, his wife.
Checks can be made out & sent to:
Joyce Melton
1001 Third St.
Space 80
Calimesa, CA 92320
USA
Note: $6000 is the operating, maintenance and upgrade budget. Amounts received in excess of the $6000 will be applied to long term debt accrued over the last 19 years.
