Calvin was afraid as he walked into a store and looked around. He was a guy so he wasn’t sure what he was doing, but he was determined to do it. He braced himself as he saw an assistant approached him saying, “May I help you sir?”

“Yes, I need a dress.” He was deliberately being vague. He knew he would have to say it sooner or later.

“There are many fine dresses and gowns here. Do you know her size?” It was annoying work especially when a guy came in trying to buy a nice gown or dress for his girlfriend. They often didn’t know their girlfriends size and it made her work far more difficult and frustrating. She hoped this young man knew something that could help her find the right dress for her.

He smiled, decided to stop being afraid. If he was going to do this then he needed to do it. It was his choice after all. If he was going to blush and be a coward about it, he may as well walk away. He looked right into the woman s eyes, smiled softly and said, “You don't misunderstand ma'am. I want the dress for me. I have no clue about these sizes so I need help with finding a dress that will fit me and look beautiful. I usually wear a size 36 to 38 jeans, extra large tops. As you see, I am large and very athletic. I do wrestling and boxing. So can you help me?”

Don't You Remember?
by Stephanie Rose

Mark Jacobson was running late. He was meeting his best friend, Jake Schneider at their old hunting grounds, Blake's Tavern. They had barely seen each other in the four years since high school. Now, both of them college graduates, they were finally back home. It was time to re- connect.

Mark flashed his ID at the bouncer at the door. The burly man waved him through without a second look. Mark smiled. It was the first time he had gone in there without having to pull one of his tricks. Those days were behind him now.

Virtual Reality, the dream of all gamers, is now a reality with the land of Ilos.

However, it's creators are unknown, and no one knows how the devices they have access it, only that they do.

Shivering With Antici... pation

It’s Halloween. While on assignment a warlock finds himself observed by strange man with tape recorder. At a music festival for monsters, two security guards set out to apprehend an intruder. As darkness falls across the land, and the midnight hour draws near, hit play on this collection of spooky, sentimental and surprising seasonal short stories. [Includes an interview with Zapper (creator of the Consultant Universe).]

On a rainy night after an argument a teenager finds himself not as alone as she thought.

Anything Goes, Don't Blink

A man wakes up with his wife’s nose. Two girls concoct a scheme to sneak a friend into an Elvish gathering. A dragon hatches and makes a decision that will change a young boy’s life. These are just some of the 14 stories on offer in the biggest Mixed Tape collection yet. Hit play and embark on a journey through time, space and unconventional fantasy, with a full cast of mad scientists, demonic bureaucrats, Time Lords and Ladies, and extraordinary ordinary individuals.

It was a warm summery morning on the Gold Coast. The seagulls were squawking, a light offshore breeze blew and a building swell promised epic tubes in the afternoon. In the penthouse apartment she shared with her two elder sisters, Samaya and Nikita, Nik’s baby Elody and Nik’s handsome boyfriend, Marcus (they called him Marcus Aurelius because he was like a Roman general guarding them from the outside world), little Jane found herself alone. Samaya - they liked to call her Princess Samaya because she was so drop-dead gorgeous - was already out on the waves.

For my brother

By Kyle

A woman performs her departed brothers final wish on another woman who tormented him.

(I'm no good at Gimp or Photoshop, you'll just have to imagine that Iris has thistle-colored eyes. Though I do now have an anime-ish avatar depicting Iris.)

A tale about a character from the Pokemon franchise. It's not exactly hard to figure out, but I don't fully reveal who the character is until the end of the story, so I won't spoil it here. Enjoy!

Darren Lawrence had what most would consider an idyllic life- a beautiful family, a house, a close circle of trustworthy friends and his music. However, all of this changed the day he lost his job. This disappointing yet seemingly innocuous occurrence sets off a series events that threaten to strip Darren of his identity and turn him into everything that he hates.

Chapter 1

I want to tell, NO! I need to tell the story of the most incredible events of my life, or maybe anyone's life.

CHAPTER 1

An unpleasant drizzle ground a thin layer of new snow into the sidewalks. The moon was a cold ball draped in mist, unwilling to combat the frigidity in the air.

It was a cultural tradition. A rite of passage and self-discovery. I doubt the elders who began the tradition ever imagined this.

Exhausted after a long day Eli fell backwards onto his bed and just as his head was about to reach the comfort of his feather pillow...