It shouldn’t be a big deal. All Billy's friends have visited the widow's house and each seemed to come away better for the experience. Visiting her has been a rite of passage for boys in town for as long as anyone can remember.

Billy knows he should want this. The whispers about him have been growing and even his friends are starting to ask questions. Tonight is the night if he's going to end the rumors. Should it matter if it’s Halloween and there’s a full moon in the sky?

He stepped out of the patrol car and sauntered over to my Prius. I rolled down my window and he leant into the gap.

"Ma'am, do you know why I've pulled you over?", he asked.

"I'm so sorry officer, I didn't realise my speed. I promise I'll slow down."

"Ma'am I need to see your licence."

I started to protest but he raised his hand to stop me.

"Now, ma'am. Or I'll have to put you under arrest."

Reluctantly, I reached across and fished my licence out of the glovebox. He took it from me and looked it over with a confused expression.

The sun was just beginning to rise over the spires of Gale Haven Academy when Akari woke up on her first day of classes. Despite the early hour, her roommates, Lila and Mira, were already up and moving, chattering excitedly about what the day would bring.

“First day of school at Gale Haven!” Lila practically sang as she flung open the curtains, letting the morning light stream into their room. “This is going to be awesome!”

Hope's Light

Chapter 7

by Erisian

Book 6

Chapter Seven - Coffee

The ride through the paved cavern tunnels was short but bumpy as the transport’s suspension had clearly died a squealing death at least ten to twenty firestorms ago. I’d been locked into position in the middle of a squad again, though this time opposite me wasn’t a cranky diminutive devil blowing smoke but rather a sullen swamp-green demon similarly shackled into place whose inner rage boiled and simmered.

As evident by the constant glares of resentment and brewing rebellion he kept shooting across the aisle whenever he thought I wasn’t paying attention. My sympathy meter didn’t move much in response, I was too busy being happy that they’d given me a bright orange prison jumpsuit.

Hey, it would never have won any fashion shows but it certainly beat being naked.

Cameron is paired with Jessie now and he's feeling on the outs. Does he focus on the escape or desires?

Dido left early the next morning to avoid speaking with John. She did leave a scrawled note on her neatly made bed that just said,

“Thank you for being there yesterday. Dido.”

Sara: Princess for a Day - Queen for Life

Before and after photos confirm that clothes make the man; while cosmetics and clothes can make the man a woman.

Uncle Stevie Before
Aunt Linda After

If Uncle Stevie can be a girl why can’t I?

When at home, Marilyn dresses her husband Glen as a pretty girl. When she decides to also have Glen dress as a girl when they visit friends and family, his anxiety leads Marilyn to take him to a therapist to learn some coping skills.  The therapist's advice has the unintended consequence of endowing Glen with a superpower - the mindset of a preteen girl. As such he enjoys playing Barbies with other girls. Marilyn and the therapist are left trying to figure out how to get Glen back to being himself. 

NOTE: This story was intended to be set in the present day but a couple of the references are now a bit archaic. Back-dating it by half a century resolved that problem while also opening up interesting plot oppportunities.

THE GORGEOUS LINDA

Tim and I were best mates in the early 'seventies and he had a gorgeous sister. And through Tim I knew her slightly, but not as well as I would have liked, as I’d fancied her for a while.

I want to be Thwee.

I listen to the track by Queen – but I don’t hear their words. I misheard it as 'I want to be Three'. Part of me did want to go back to being three. When my mummy loved me. Was that where this began?

Set against the vibrant and atmospheric backdrop of Japan, The Tale of My Beautiful Onii-san follows 18-year-old Haruki as he arrives in Kyoto, eager to reconnect with his cousin Yuki after years apart. But nothing could prepare him for the shocking transformation he finds. Drawn into Yuki’s mysterious world, Haruki embarks on a journey of self-discovery, family secrets, and hidden truths. In this suspenseful and heartfelt tale, he learns that family bonds in Japan can be as intricate—and as unbreakable—as the secrets they keep.

 
This was an idea suggested by Erin -- Ed
 

Chapter 1

On sunny days I would sit on my window seat and think about how I had arrived at this point. Had there been times when I could have changed the outcome? Had there been stages where I could have dug my heels in and shouted “No!’? Would it have made much difference? The important thing was, that when push came to shove, I allowed things to move along in the same direction, wondering what the results would achieve. I was now at the fitting end.

“Dearly Bereaved…”

By Kelly Blake

“I think he really wanted cremation and his ashes spread in the sea.” Lyla stated most ardently.

Lyla’s word had to be trusted. She accepted and loved me as I am. But I also knew my father and his wishes should be considered. Sort of anyway…

“We do have a burial spot arranged for. Other members of the family are buried there.” I said in a hushed voice. “I’m so confused.” I sighed and glanced at my hands.