Living Next Door to Alex - Chapter 8
By Julie D Cole

This chapter submitted after the competition closing date but the story continues as requested.

I didn’t have chance to move before Rachel pushed past Gemma and I.

‘No way it’s me first not some opportunist looking to cash in. He never mentioned anything about a girlfriend to me.’

Perhaps the final chapter for the competition

Living Next Door to Alex - Chapter 7
By Julie D Cole

‘I have been trying to call you but your phone was switched off. Oh Jules I am so relieved to have you home safe.’

I wish I could get you
Out of my mind
But I think about it all the time
And I wish I could not think
For once in my life
But when I see your face
I can't escape my mind

The Questing Beast

by Erisian

All who have ears to hear know the tales of the great King Arthur and his knights, their stories filling hearts with enchantments and glamours while leading many to again hope for the return of justice and the true faith of men.

But few know the story of Sir Leif and the Questing Beast, of how he met his end and also his beginning.

His tale starts not with his childhood as the only surviving child of his father and mother’s lineage, training diligently every dawn until sunset in the ways of knighthood as befit the son of a duke who had bravely died in service to his king. Nor does it commence with his many victories at Arthur’s side - though his sword was indeed mighty, for countless foes fell to its sharp blade as wielded by an arm stouter than oak.

It begins instead around a campfire.

The whole crowd seems to like me now
'Cause they think I'm cool but back when I was in school
They found it very easy to hate me
Funny how always these times are changing
Back then I was so easy to shatter
But now in the end it doesn't really matter
Tap your foot and listen in
Ignore the world, let the music cave in
Close your phone and breathe in the air
You'll soon realize that there's something that is so much more than this.

Beauty

Thanks again to Gabi for her editing and support.

Beauty can be a curse. Curses can be a lesson. Sometimes the mask people show us is a mirror to show us how we see them.

Cautions for death and violence, because this is a fairy tale.

Petra weighs up her options. Should she chose to stay as she is? Or undergo GRS?

I thought long and hard as to whether to go to the funeral before deciding that paying my respects to one of my oldest friends was more important than my pride and possible hurt feelings. If there were any nasty repercussions then it would be something that I would just have to deal with as it happened.

Living Next Door to Alex
By Julie D Cole

I vividly recall that grey autumn morning. How could I ever forget it? I’d decided to stay in bed daydreaming and thinking of what I could do to change my mundane life. The house was empty since mum and dad were away for the weekend so I could stay in bed all day if I felt like it.

Suddenly I jumped. I was disturbed by a message on my mobile phone so naturally I picked it up to see who might be interrupting my Saturday lie in. It was Sally my long-time friend from our schooldays who kept a frequent contact with me and was always trying to coax me to socialise together. What excuse could I give her today since she knew I was at home alone.

So close your eyes
And create yourself a better life
Let the wind blow through your hair
Let the music take you there
And make a better life, better life,