A Short Story

Verin patted Cormac’s head again before standing to follow the medic. Elara took Verin’s arm and led him towards a thicket where Cinlat lay on a blanket. She still wore most of her armor apart from her helmet and a few pieces missing on the left side. The fabric beneath was stained red, as was the cloth she rested on. Her eyes were closed, which Verin thought was a shame. He wouldn’t mind seeing them one more time, but he made no move to change it. They’d be dull and lifeless now, not the striking white from before. Long hair fanned around her shoulders. Someone had taken special care to ensure that Cinlat looked presentable. Probably Elara.

While the rest of the team had fallen asleep, I still laid awake lost in thought. We have already been on this plane for nineteen hours and thirty minutes. Which means we only have 20 minutes left on this horrible flight. I started to consider if we should've chosen a different airline, but then I realized I only dislike the 20 hours on this plane. I probably would've enjoyed this plane more if it wasn’t 20 hours. I don’t really know why, because I do enjoy the peacefulness I find on all planes.

As expected, when Tom opened his locker the following morning, he found a note from Tyrell. Typed on a ripped piece of paper, the instructions were clear yet concise.

The muttered epitet escaped FBI Special Agent Carter's lips, and whisked through the cold night air as he stared down at the corpse. Despite his hopes when the call had come in, there was no doubt.

I had prepared myself for weeks for the wake up call. I had assembled my horse as well and tonight was the night for a midnight ride to the place. I ran out the door in boots and my night wear. I jumped and swung my leg over the horse and fixed the musket strap to settle across my shoulder. I pressed my heels into her side and she took off. I rode my horse as fast as I could, my heart beating fast. I had been trained for this. I had my muskett by my side loaded and ready for a shot.

Arken chuckled softly as he ghosted his fingertips across her trembling forearms. “My gods, you’re so strong ...” he purred, and the huskiness in his voice almost made her gag.

A wave of fury heats my chest, melting the icy fingers. However, I can't determine who I'm more enraged with, him or me.

Before the pain made them grit their teeth just a little too hard. Before their voice became just a little too strained. Before the pain was radiating throughout their chest and stomach. “Probably just pulled something.” With a chuckle, they stood and punched in Kara’s number.

“What do we have to do Austin? What’s this business all about? I wanna court Ms. Ellis and your interrupting me. Some friend you are. Can’t even let an Ol’ man have some fun.” Jess said. “We do have business Jess. If you’ll remember, last night we had a hell of a camp fire and somebody’s gonna be asken’ where the Wilson brother’s bodies are. We’re gonna have a talk with the Sheriff. Then we’re gonna give our ladies some special treatment.” “Oh, now that’s different. I knew you liked Lena.” Jess said as he slapped Austin’s shoulder. “I don’t and what do you mean like Lena? Besides those aren’t the ladies I’m speaking of. I mean Madame and Twighlight. Remember?” “Oh yeah, of course. I knew that.” Jess said. Then mumbling to

She'd been in his apartment a matter of minutes, and Elena was already naked and about to drop to her knees to blow him. Brett felt a touch guilty as his erection throbbed in his pants. Not accustomed to paying for sex, even though there was a purpose behind it on this occasion, it didn't sit well. Nor did the knowledge that the girls dates usually accompanied them to a gala event that under other circumstances they'd never access to, or at least wined and dined them first. Sex was, of course, expected, but only as dessert rather than the entree itself. Brett was also a man who liked to take his time and ensure the women enjoyed the experience as much as he did.

Another pocket full of change added to the jar after a day of work. Every penny, nickel, dime, and quarter has made into that jar for years. First he wanted a gun, for the annual hunting trip with his brother. Then he wanted a fancy saw to build some bookshelves. So Jim dropped the coins in the jar, and once it was full he counted, and recounted before rolling the change and making a trip to the bank. But now that he had his gun and his saw, Jim had his eyes set on a bigger toy.

She blinked, slowly waking up. The faint breeze flowing through immediately shook her – the windows were always, without a fault, locked tight at night.

I trotted past some occupied tables, and saw a good spot to sit next to a window. There were a total of eight windows in the dining room, and a table was placed in front of each window. I recognized the man sitting in front of me because I worked with him in my Medical Careers class this year. Johnny Smith and his girlfriend strolled in and sat down a few tables to my right. The old athletic director from Mora was with his wife across the restaurant. Sitting at a circular table that was directly in the middle of the restaurant were six older people, three men and three women. The men were sitting together on the left side of the table, and the women were together on the right. I could hear them talking about politics. One of the women

A solitary figure crossed the royal prison courtyard, his strides as purposeful as the reasons for visiting the penitentiary during the stale midnight hours. His slinky, weasel like features instantly became the source of ridicule from the quartet of guards standing at the entrance gate. The combination of their whispered insults and contemptuous laughter as the lanky man approached, were not well concealed. Without a doubt their lack of discretion was purposefully intentional and, obviously, the insults were blatantly meant to be overheard. All four guards remained at ease, unbothered and unwilling to come to attention even as the stranger stood directly in front of them and waited for some sort of response. The visitor surveyed the

Great news! Your niece will be home soon. That's wonderful news. There's no us, Cosmo.