In late May, Dido and John Proudfoot were having one of their regular reviews of their quest to bring Thomas Fox to justice.

Cybernetic Conversion: New Life

The year was 2074, a time when robots seamlessly integrated into every facet of life. AI technology had become humanity's greatest ally, propelling innovation and unlocking doors once thought impassable. In this era of technological marvels, the Cybernetics Institute for Advanced Artificial Life (CIAAL) stood at the forefront, pursuing a vision many considered impossible: the creation of cybernetic robots indistinguishable from human beings.

Chapter 2

When we stopped outside the front door, a uniformed man came out and opened the car door for me. I exited, as I had been instructed, without flashing my panties, and stood waiting for Silvester to escort me inside. The driver opened the boot, and he started pulling my bags out.

Silvester took my arm and led me inside. There was a reception hall, with stairs in front of me, and a door either side. On had a sign ‘Bunnies’ over it, while the other had ‘The Warren Restaurant’. I was led upstairs and along a corridor. He opened a door.

Heel
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

Heel - the back of the human foot below the ankle and behind the arch
by a contemptible person - a person who is self-centered or untrustworthy

Who could possibly object?

An Alys-500 - a story that anyone can build on for a new story...

I go to the clubs – sometimes. Pubs, Winebars, Quiz Nights, Golf very occasionally, and a couple of others.

Is Late Better than Never? Chapter 6
by Lily Rasputin

I honestly wasn’t the least bit surprised to learn that the club Maddie’s parents belonged to happened to be the ritziest, most expensive, and most exclusive one in Greensboro.

Pulling the Beemer into an empty spot not too far from the oversized putting green, I stared at the massive structure that was a living testament to wealth and privilege. As Mike, I had only been here once, at a gala charity fundraiser that one of the senior partners of Kelly’s firm was hosting.

The Last Greek Class

Ancient Greek… an unusual subject nowadays, and even unusual back then… it was compulsory, along with Latin for the “Honours” class up to Inter Certificate (Intercert), and optional thereafter for Leaving Certificate (Leavingcert). And I took the option, even though I wasn’t that good with languages; it was reputed to be an “easy honour” and I needed this to get the state grant to help with college. We were to be the last Greek Class in our School as Greek teachers were becoming hard to find.

*** Author's note: This is like my normal stories. This deals with child abuse, neglect, abandonment. There is also other triggering themes in this story.

Chapter 1: The Day Everything Changed

Jake walked home from school like it was any other day, his headphones blaring some angsty song about rebellion and survival. It fit the mood he was in—school sucked, home wasn’t much better, but at least it was something. A roof over his head. Food on the table. A bed to crash on.

Orphan Petal

December 2023 - Part 3

Some doubt who Shirley is

It is time for Mantra and Gabriel to leave the world of the super volcano, but they are going into time and space accompanied by three of the most dangerous entities in the universe. All Mantra can do for the time being is to keep her fingers crossed and hope.

Max never truly believed that his dream of becoming a magical girl could become a reality - but he never even imagined that becoming the villainess of the magical girls was a possibility! 

***

Ever since the first Magical Girls appeared, to fight against the Violet Ooze threat, Max has dreamed of joining their ranks. Not that he’s particularly interested in the girl part - no way! - but the magical bit? The being a hero bit? That’s everything he’s ever wanted in life! So when a Magical Crystal offers him an out from the mundanity of college life, he agrees without a second thought! 

Unfortunately, the Magical Crystal gets attacked by Violet Ooze during the formation of their contract! Instead of a purehearted magical girl, ready to face the forces of evil, Max ends up as the Violet Queen - the new leader of those very same monsters!

Of course, the problems don’t end there! She's got magical girls aiming for her head, powers that are fueled by people lusting after her, and - worst of all - a ‘corrupted’ crystal that insists the true threat to the world is actually the (unwitting) magical girls themselves!

Cover by my lovely friend Lulla.