CHAPTER 21
It was the start of a much harder year, as we buckled down for the first stage of exams that could have a permanent impact on our ambitions. No O-levels would mean no A-levels; no A-levels would most definitely mean no university, no degree, no opportunities, or at least massively reduced ones. It meant that we had to reduce our social activities, with the added nastiness stemming from the perverse stance of Alys’ shrinks at the gender place.

Cover image from Unsplash

Again, I need to thank Malady for his help and ideas as I write this.

Your help is much appreciated!

Chapter 4.1

“Well, you son of a...”

We had returned upstairs, and when we arrived, we had a surprise! Sitting in Marc’s desk chair, talking to Amy, was Rachel. Her wings were carefully folded behind her, and her pixie dress appeared out of place inside a building.

They sat around eating and drinking champagne and discussing wedding plans. Sam asked Angus to be best man. He had not known him that long, but he knew it would mean so much to him.

As she ate her chocolate gateaux, Michelle smiled to herself. Everything was going well. There were no more monsters hiding ready to ruin things.

Just as she cleaned up the dinner things, the phone rang.

I got back to my room feeling very excited. OMG, OMG, OMG! Tim asked me out, I told him I was born male and he was still game for a date! Was it a date though? Or maybe it was just two friends, hanging out? He was, after all, the new boy and he needed to make friends.

I really liked him though, really wanted. Really wanted him to like me.

Emily has compromised the safety of their safe house at Canal Cottage.

NB Although all of the great houses and historical figures are real, current period characters are purely from my imagination and have no link with anyone living or dead.

Part 5 Changes Afoot!

White Elephant Recycle Electronics, Utica Ave Brooklyn, NY.:
“Hey Rita, how much do you want for this old dinosaur computer?” Edward holds the old thing up.

Rita looks at the old portable computer. It had two old-style floppy drives and the old-style amber screen built into it. The thing was only good for running programs on the old-style floppy disk.

“Fifty dollars. I have the disk that goes with it. I’ll give them to you for nothing.” Rita knew the machine still work.

“Forty dollars.” Edward looks at Rita to see if she’ll give.

A Woman’s Work
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

I had always wanted to be an artist. I guess I felt that I was creative, but what I really liked was the idea of flicking a little paint onto canvas and selling it for $10,000. It struck me that it could be so easy if I had talent.

Link: Every Day Is Your Last Title Page and Description

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While Jack and them were greeting Rich's parents, I was inside with a bunch of strangers, the only person in uniform, in a place where I didn't even know people's opinions regarding the military. To say I was a bit jumpy is to put it lightly! Even when someone did talk to me, I always felt like a curiosity more than a Marine, or even the supposed Maid of Honor.

Need

I sit and stare at the machine, the Need beginning to overwhelm me. If I don’t get what I Need, I will go feral.

I feel thought edging away from me, it is becoming harder and harder to keep my composure, to keep seated, to keep sane. My claws begin to grow, my death grip on the edge of the table scoring the shiny table top, as I fight the need to tear away from the table and go out to kill.