Chapter 8 – But exposing only the Dark

They supplied a high chair for Merilyn and we sat with cool drinks until I saw Gwen speak to the maitre’d. He pointed us out and she came over and sat down. “It’s good to see you, Morgan” she said “And this must be little Merilyn?” Merilyn looked into her eyes and she relaxed and said “So cute!”

My Hero
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

It was that period in a hotel cocktail bar when all those who were going to dinner had gone, but before those returning might catch a night cap before going up. Drake was at the bar because he had nowhere to go. The attractive woman was a late arrival.

To Return Home

Thanks to Malady for his help editing and for ideas.

Cover image from Unsplash

3.3

I entered Jack and Sylvia’s lab, and found Sylvia alone, hunched over her work bench. She whirled like the proverbial kid with her hand in the cookie jar when she heard me. Speaking of her hands, she slipped something into her pocket, but I couldn’t tell what. She was a bit suspicious, but I put it down to me being suspicious of everything and everyone now, so I forced myself to ignore it.

Sam saw Michelle sitting at the kitchen table her head down looking upset. Fiona was grinning like a Cheshire cat. She was dressed as she always did throughout their marriage, dowdy. She was wearing jeans a baggy sweater and minimal makeup.

"What do want Fiona?"

"Is that any way to greet you wife Sammy?"

"You're not my wife for much longer, what have you come for?"

Three girls find they have a lot more in common than their music...
Yuki's wish - playing, freedom, music...all for what if not to be the girl i am
Lainie's hope - maybe now they'll listen...more than just playing...maybe now they might hear
Danni's dream - the dawn awakens my soul no longer the same as now new my heart sings
Terri's challenge - my voice, my heart…my life are yours for as long as I live…

The Girl He Would Not Be
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

When you grow up with somebody you never really think about what they look like, until one day you just turn around and you see something you have never seen before.

Looking back, I can remember my mother talking to my father about Bruce, and saying: “Not just a good looking boy, but a pretty boy.”

Devon believes he will have the week long Atlantic crossing to find a new mark for his graft and schemes. He gets more than he bargained for when he meets Reginald LeMark and his mother Lady LeMark.

To Return Home

Thanks to Malady for his help editing and for ideas.

Cover image from Unsplash

3.2

Daddy enlisted Jack and Sylvia to help him work on a way to repair the people’s bodies.

They found that the heinously fast changes that Amos favored, required a commensurate amount of bots inside a person. Structure changes to the skull as well as any in the brain, weren’t made with the health of the victim in mind. As the brain held the person, the repair project started with that. But, due to starting without the person’s original genes, they planned to work back from what they did have, reversing all of Amos’s changes.

Link: The Wisher's Paradox Title Page and Description

CAUTION - Referenced Sexual Abuse of Minors

---

Climbing out of the car, Lyle knew he was on shaky ground. Officially, as an FBI agent, he had no reason or jurisdiction to be at the inspection of the home Ruth's parents had rented in order to take custody of Christina. Still, he hadn't been able to shake the feeling in his gut that if he didn't look into it, something terrible might happen. After twenty years of first being a cop and then an FBI agent, he'd learned to trust that instinct as it'd saved his life countless times. His hunch had paid off when he'd looked into Nancy's file.

Chapter 5 – Morgan Emerges

Over the next week that became our routine, walks around the house and lessons in basic womanhood. One day we spent several hours on the glory of childbirth; and then some time on getting through periods. “Every woman is different” said Gwen “we will know what you are like with your first. Some women have it easy and some have some pain. All of us have mood swings and most of us become bitches for a few days.”

Christmas looks down at her wife as she laid under her. She was straddling her waist and massaging her breasts. She knew Julia was upset that their son had been harassed and handcuff by people she trusted.

She decided to give Julia a massage to calm her down. She didn’t like what Julia told her, but she was better at remaining calm than her wife was.

“Are you feeling better, sweetie?” Christmas looks into Julia’s brown eyes as she stared into them.

I wasn’t just one of the guys anymore.

Link: The Wisher's Paradox Title Page and Description

CAUTION - Emotional Abuse and Discussed Physical Abuse

---

Looking in the mirror, Christina sighed and tried to bring her smile back. It had been two weeks since she'd last seen David or Ruth and her optimistic attitude had begun to wane under the stress of missing them.

Michelle sobbed herself to sleep. Anger, sadness and fear made a tight ball in her chest that prevented her from breathing easily. Eventually she dropped off. When she woke she had that brief feeling of amnesia, then the full reality of what had happened the night before came rushing back.

Chapter 4 – Is it Arthur or Martha?

“But first” he said “we should have a meal. I am sure that it has been a long day for you so far.” We served ourselves from the tureens and sat down to eat. It was a pleasant enough meal if you discounted the fact that I was sitting there in a dressing gown and wig.

Tammy couldn’t believe Leland’s place in Los Angeles. The house looked to have been recently remodeled. She spotted her gun case and her cabinet of nick-nacks of her hand-blown crystal figurines.

“Well, Tammy, what do you think of your new home?” Leland watched Tammy as she walked around his house. He hopes she likes it.

“I see you had all my stuff brought over from my old place.” Tammy turns around to look at Leland.

“Well, we are mates now and if you want. We can always hold a traditional wedding ceremony if you want to.”