Science Fiction
You Knew Full Well I was a Snake, Chapter Three
Back at the café, Flashsatsumas had piled up his empty plates so was only too aware how the situation stood. Waiting for Miss Ugly to return with Mini-Flash Juniper safe and sound was proving to be more than he could take, and every interminable minute that passed seemed to increase the likelihood of something having gone wrong. Flashsatsumas didn’t need to look at Pat and Maureen to know they felt the same, so instead he was concentrating on what toys remained and the discarded packages strewn across the table. These Flashsatsumas turned endlessly over in his hands one by one, at his wits’ end for some opportunity he may have missed. His card, Juniper’s card, Maureen’s cats, Pat’s box…
By Doc Sherwoodabout 10 hours ago in Chapters
You Knew Full Well I was a Snake, Chapter Two
Entering the shopping-centre café Flashsatsumas ordered five portions of death-by-chocolate, then sat down with his friends to take stock. Somehow throughout it all he’d kept hold of the card on which his item had come, now dampened by rain and bereft of both its plastic bubbles and what had been in them. Besides illustrations, all that was there now were the two monochromatic panels where these had been, the smaller one roughly rectangular and its outline that of a little toy van.
By Doc Sherwoodabout 11 hours ago in Chapters
You Knew Full Well I was a Snake, Chapter One
A heatwave tipped to break midweek hadn’t disappointed the would-be weather-prophets. Rain sweeping in from the sea drove relentlessly down against souvenir shops and ice-cream stands, while the black sky above touched the small coastal resort’s shivering pinnacles and turrets. Through javelins slanting Main Street’s span Jenny hurtled full-pelt, jostling dumbfounded forms wrapped up in plastic macs, and spilling showers from precarious umbrellas already pitted against the gale.
By Doc Sherwoodabout 11 hours ago in Chapters
3:10 to Ingoldmells, Chapter Three
Flashsatsumas had at least had the foresight to bring an emergency medical kit. Having groped his way deliriously to it along the forecourt he’d now thrown open the small satchel and was treating himself, in both senses of the word. So Maureen sat and watched bemused, as far above her head a plastic automaton contorted hugely in some sort of bid to acclimatise itself to existence, while her friend in his tangerine rubber sundress shovelled down slices of death-by-chocolate one after another.
By Doc Sherwooda day ago in Chapters
3:10 to Ingoldmells, Chapter Two
On leaving the joke shop Pat led Juniper a short way to a district which he said was perfect for what they had in mind, though she was out of her depth as to why. There was a building whose double-door was made of elaborately carved wood and covered just the middle part of the doorway, through which only adult spectres seemed permitted to pass. This they were doing in extremely jolly fashion, whilst outside was a contrivance more outlandish still to Mini-Flash Juniper. Roofed by an awning it was wide rather than high, and populated by lurching mannequins which bawled a steady incoherent spiel. Child-phantoms were popping ineffectually away at these with guns far larger and cruder still than the one Juniper had purchased, and to all appearances enjoying the experience heartily.
By Doc Sherwooda day ago in Chapters
Tattoos & Rail Guns Chapter 21: The Chaos Becomes Order
Kev grabbed a gargoyle and tossed it just outside the circle of dogs while kicking another. The third clawed him across the belly, leaving deep wounds. Kev hit the one he had kicked, stunning it. The one tossed outside jumped back into the fray. Kev's wounds began healing, but he would not be able to keep up with the damage for long.
By Jamais Jochima day ago in Chapters
Tattoos & Rail Guns Chapter 22: Last Minute Preparations
Lieutenant Sawyer was not the only one who had grabbed a quick shower and meal. Rodriguez had gone off to grab a drink or two; he wouldn't get drunk until the mission was over. Samuels had of course disappeared as quickly as possible; his supposed girlfriend had to see him every night or she would call the barracks incessantly; his going to her was a mercy to everyone else. Rodriguez had never met her; it was Samuels’ business so he didn’t pry. Kev had been dismissed but would be summoned as soon as there was a plan.
By Jamais Jochima day ago in Chapters
Hue and The Discovery of Manipo (Chapter 2). AI-Generated.
Dreams have a strange way of persuading you. Not with logic, but with longing. With the quiet conviction that what you see behind closed eyes could be real — if only reality would cooperate. People say that if you speak your desire boldly enough, if you pray with enough hunger, the universe eventually yields. Manifestation. God‑consciousness. Wishcraft. I’ve never fully believed in any of it.
By Lorenzo Bland2 days ago in Chapters
Twisting by the Pool, Chapter Four
Mini-Flash Juniper wasn’t having much luck with the camp amenities. First the roller-skating rink and now the outdoor swimming pool, in as many days. It was enough to make her wonder if there’d be anywhere she wasn’t barred from when check-out time came around. The one bit of good news was that the lifeguards had had to give her short shrift in both senses of the word, as they’d then needed to dash off and get some ladders to rescue the stranded children with.
By Doc Sherwood2 days ago in Chapters
