The Black Death of the fourteenth century, then followed by Spanish Influenza, AIDS, Sars, Ebola, Covid-19, Traeped-64, etc. etc. etc, and lastly Delor of the twenty-fourth century. There have been any number of serious diseases over the millennia.

It was a simple enough mistake, I thought Adam was gay, or at least I hoped he was. He was a friend of my sister, it was a large group connected by a football team they all followed. So home games especially she was out and watching the match, coming home late evening after going on with some of this group for a few drinks to celebrate or commiserate.

 
Prologue

Hi. My name is Sam Spaulding, police Lieutenant with Brooklyn 99... I mean the 99th precinct of the New York city police. Or was, anyway. I was happy with my life. Well, happy-ish, anyway.

This is the first update of “Rivers and Brooks” following the end of the novel. If you haven’t read the novel, you may have a hard time understanding what’s going on, but you may enjoy reading about Lisa’s first date with her girlfriend. She tried to tell me everything was above board … no “hanky panky”. Those of you who have read the novel know a little about Lisa, and will not believe that statement for one second.

A teen comes out as a transgender girl.
As her world has magic, she hopes to save enough money to transition by paying a licensed magician.
But soon other options reveal themselves.
There are a few witches, warlocks, and other strange people at her school that would like to help.

The question is for what price?

Adwomen
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

Siobhan and I had gone through a similar education for a career in advertising. We shared a modest apartment in the city. We were both young and ambitious, and short of money. The only real differences were that she was a woman, and I wasn’t; and I had talent, and she didn’t.

Sissys Retribution Chapter 1

By Julia Michelle
Steohania begins making plans to take down Section Zero and we learn a little more about her family and her training.

Sissys Reckoning

By Julia Michelle
an abused stepson sissy returns for a little payback to those who took her life as a boy
Warning. This is a very violent story with extreme cruelty, torture and murder. Stephania is not the typical sissy.

Devotee
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

My son JJ had always had a spiritual side.

I came from a religiously family and reacted against it. I would not call myself an atheist. I guess that I have always felt that I had a personal god – somebody to talk to in moments of crisis, to ask the question ‘why?’, or to shout at in moments of frustration. My wife too, came from a devout home. They were Catholics and when she married me and moved away from her family she chose not to connect with the local church. So, both our boys were raised without religion.

At 18, she had been trained to be a personal guard of the Queen, able to stand up to and win over dozens of warriors. Chosen for her beauty, strength, dexterity and character. However, when monsters unknown before started attacking the border towns and villages, every able fighter was sent to protect them, even the trainees.

New Contract
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

I used to believe that the two most valuable things that I had were my custom-made CZ 75B and my penis. Now I have only one of those. My CZ 75B is my tool of trade, after all.

In addition to a good weapon, the other two ingredients for a success career in my chosen profession are a total disregard for human life and total anonymity. You lose either of those and you are no use. In fact, as far as my handler would be concerned, you are worse than useless - you are a liability.

Births Deaths and Marriages
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

Allan Bingley was not the sort of man who you might think of as a criminal.

He has a small open and honest looking face on a small non-descript body, slightly flabby. He had very little hair on his head. Alopecia rather than pattern baldness, had robbed him of his hair when he was not yet thirty. His mother assured him that it would grow back. It never did. And now she was dead.

However, Catherine was still in love with the road which in darker days had been her only happiness. It was the only thing she did in direct disobedience to her parents’ instructions. However, when she took off during school holidays she now wore boys clothes for safety.

When Andy finds a genuine Genie bottle he mistakes it as junk.
Giving it to his best friend, Kyle. A mistake of epic proportions, as Kyle knows exactly how to exploit a genie. Or does he?
This story won't end with just one instance of being screwed over.

Hungover
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

I was hungover big time. I filled the sink with cold water and plunged my whole head in. The only comfort was that I knew that the night before had been the craziest of my life. It was a night that we would be sure to talk about for the rest of our lives. Except maybe not Greg. He might want to forget all about it.

His and Hers
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

Here is a story told from two perspectives, so it is attached as a pdf.
Please take the time to open it and read it how you like.
Maryanne

I came home from work to see the dress hanging on the back of a door.
'Wow that looks the business, real vintage I take it?'
Pam said nothing, I fingered the edge of the dress, 'it feels like real silk, you will look great in it.' I said confidently.
'Do you know nothing, look at the size of that waist, it is impossible.'
'Are you sure?'
'Dead sure, they even sent me an authentic corset to go with it!!'
'Still it will look great.'
'Which part of this are you missing buster, I am not being trussed up and paraded for no one.'

Even with Lori not being able to bring up Luke’s petticoat punishment or call him Luka anymore, the next four years was more of the same for Luke. His mom would fall into the same trap of doing what was easy instead of the right course of action from time to time to bring peace. Appeasing Lori came from the frustrated Mother being on autopilot, and not having empathy for all involved. She only thought of herself and Lori. Little sisters were supposed to get on the nerves of their bigger brothers. Luke’s stoic front did not help Alice to have true empathy for the situation.

Zara had got it all on her phone including when my father came straight through the front door. He was screaming abuse at Sophia and Zara, but it’s best not repeated after all hate speech is just hate speech and is not worthy of repetition.

Eagar to see herself, it is what Shelby didn't think of that got her found out...

Member of the Wedding
By Ellie Dauber © 2020

When Sam Hanson tries to stop Cathy Fletcher from marrying his brother, she comes up with an interesting solution.

How far would you go?