“I’m not sure I understand?”

“Just enjoy that for a little while. Soon enough you will understand far more than you ever wished. For now, let us enjoy this excellent whiskey and speak of more pleasant things, yes?” He waited for her slight nod of agreement. “I understand your family has a rather happy occasion tomorrow, one which I feel privileged to witness. I have known Ilya literally from the moment she was born and I could not think of a finer mate for her than your brother. It warms this old heart to see love blossom in the middle of…”

The House

By Dawn Natelle

Not much action this chapter, but we are setting things up for some later: Dawn.

Chapter 14 – Squirrel

The next morning Willow made the call to her boss, who was not happy that she was taking time off. In the end he insisted that she be at work the next day, or consider her job lost. This upset her a lot, but she walked over to the store with Grey, while Darryl and Sun worked in the garage.

The House

By Dawn Natelle

The little break helped. A story today, and I have the one for tomorrow well underway. I will try to get you four this week: Dawn.

Chapter 13 – More friends

Four men got out of a blue Chevy sedan in the parking lot and headed to the docks, wondering who all the people already there were? Standing at the steps Spencer met them at the edge of the dock. He held out his hand for them to stop. “Security, what’s your names?”

“Fuck you, you’re no security I’ve ever seen before. Get out of my way.” The big tall guy started up the steps.

The Masque of NeverMore chapter 2

Mel and her helpers were parsing through the information flooding in from drones, both aerial and submarine when she began to notice slight anomalies. There was some time to refine her picture so she sent in a swarm of microdrones. For a time everything looked exactly as she’d expected, no one on deck but life-signs belowdecks, some which moved in the right way to be guards and others which didn’t move in the right way to be restrained prisoners. Heat signatures were all correct, even the signatures which should have been guards sleeping.

I was stunned by what Barbara had just said about becoming a sperm donor.

“Say something even if it is ‘No’?”

“I never even considered having another child.”

“Well, and thanks to the bracelets, we are going to have a new start in life, aren’t we?”

“This is a big… A big surprise.”

She laughed.

“And?” I asked.

“I don’t know.”

Libraries are good places to study. They're also good places to meet people. Including ghosts.

Debbie Delaney, professional photographer, had just transitioned into her new chosen gender, but didn’t have time to get used to the new her – she just got a new assignment. Of course, this wasn’t like any kind of photo assignment that she ever had before…

The Doctor has disappeared, but he left his newest apprentice on 21st century Earth to help the humans while he was away, Dr. Quinn Valentine.

This is the story of Quinn’s first mission as the Doctor’s pinch-hitter. And she comes with her new sonic screwdriver, her own companion (best friend Mary Elizabeth “Binky” Kristensen), and even her own TARDIS, except Quinn’s TARDIS looks like a red London Phone Box.

Jill Munroe, formerly Police Officer Charlie Townsend, had more or less adjusted to being changed by that magical mixed tape. But after finding out some very important facts about her change, had quit the force and started working at her new job as a private detective. She, along with her best friends, Sabrina and Kelly, were excited to start working on their first assignment…

Charlie was an idealistic LA policeman fresh from the police academy, out to reform his corrupt precinct. So the corrupt cops in the precinct decide to get rid of him, but in a unique, untraceable way - via a demonic curse. But they didn't count on his guardian angel and a magical mix tape...

In the near future, Andy is looking for a way to earn some money. He decides to go along with what appears to be a Nigerian scam. Things don't go as planned of course.

Chapter 1- The Boy Next Door

--- Alexis, December 23rd, 2022. 7:53 AM ---

“Class,” our teacher’s voice somehow managed to break through the chaos and anarchy that is an elementary school classroom the day before Christmas vacation. “Before we begin, I’d like to announce our new transfer student, Gabriel Morris.”

The rest of the room started up in hushed whispers, and even I couldn’t help it.

“Who moves at this time of year?” I had asked the question quietly and rhetorically, only to get an answer back anyway.

“Seriously?”