Introduction: This is another story in the Cynthia Chronicles series. Other stories in the series are An Incremental Journey, Cynthia and the Reluctant Girlfriend, Cynthia and the Dumpster Diver, Cynthia and the Moment of Truth, Cynthia and the High School Years - Part I, Cynthia and the High School Years - Part II, Charli and the Girl Cave, Bobbie and the Glass Ceiling, Randi and the College Professor, Adam and the Three Wishes, Lisa and the Culinary Quest (aka Howard and the Completed pass), Cynthia and the Solicitous Sisters-in-Law, Cynthia and the Queen of the Knight, and Cynthia and the Dropped Ball. The time frame of this story follows about three to four years after Charli and the Girl Cave. This story takes place a little more than a year after Bobbie Anderson wins the (British) Open and about ten years after Simoné and the Second Time Around.

The girls meet ‘Ricky’, whose actual name is Arnold, and his wife and children. Arnold is a bit of a mystery as he and his family are quite intellectually advanced; especially for raccoons. The girls take a rather long hike to fairly high altitudes and get some more lessons on ecology and geology. They also determine that a member of the group of boys who passed them is transgender. They just don’t know who it is.

Silly Challenge for Silly September Story Contest
by Jennifer Sue

I may be crazy but I’m not stupid. That’s my mantra. Then add on that my birthday is April 1st... April Fool’s Day! I have an excuse for being wacked in the head! So what does all my weirdness have to do with the September Story contest? Well, my mind went willy nilly when I read it was to be a SILLY challenge for SILLY September. I think I covered all the main points, ninjas, pirates, spiders, sailing ships, sealing wax, cabbages, kings and even though zombies have no interest for me... but not to be denied I added them my way while twisting several of the others so keep your eyes sharp and your groans ready. I sincerely hope you enjoy the results:

Why is a red headed witch chasing an old man in a bath robe through the mall? Will the ninja commander finally get to read Make Out Paradise Seven? Who will own the Quickening, Duncan's Donuts and Coffee or The Clan MacCloud Healthy Living Emporium? Will that sexy jutsu EVER wear off? And what does all this have to do with an intergalactic invasion or the Men in Beige?

Disclaimer: Any characters that appear to be like other characters are not really and no one they may accidentally appear like is owned by me. This story was just thrown together by me for the September contest without any real intention of anything serious. Please just enjoy (or not) the silliness.

Friday Night – For One Time Only?
By Julie D Cole

2016-9 Zombie/Ninja/Pirate/Spider September Challenge
Beginning of Hiro's Journey

I haven't decided whether to run with this story or just keep it to the quick musing that follows. I thought It might be more compelling than another story I have in development.

“They took Katie!”

My Mom blinked in horror, just like she had the last five times.

“Who?” she asked.

“The men in the suits!”

She shook herself. “When?”

I was ready to tear my hair out. “While you and Dad were fucking each other stupid!”

Language like that would have me grounded on an ordinary day, but my Mom wasn’t all there. Every few moments she closed her eyes, bit her lip, and held one hand down to keep from touching herself, just like every other horny fool in town.

“Mom!”

She jumped upright. “Yes?”

With Ashley gone, the three remaining ‘children’ decide that escape is the only option if they want to retain their adult minds.

Excerpt: As Musica prattled on, urging me to get out of bed, my mind waffled back and forth between submission and outright defiance. A part of me desperately wanted to prove that Dr. Travers’ serum was a failure, that Ryan Sullivan would never become weak-willed, timid Kaylee. When he saw the defiance in me, the failure of his masterwork, would he show emotion? Would his face sag, his shoulders slump in defeat? I vacillated between the two mindsets, as Ashley’s voice played in an endless loop. “You aren’t a failure. Because you haven’t ever even tried.”

Heir to a Title Chapter 22