The children took a field trip to DC to tour the first US Fascist Regime. At first, Gloria was thrilled to meet The Minister of Propaganda who presented the kindest, warmest face. But after the children filed out, Gloria saw a grotesque face peeping through the back of her head.
Tag Archives: Weird fiction
Fragrant
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There was a ball of kudzu, Spanish moss, and dead leaves on my doorstep with a tag that read: Meg’s Southern memories. When I left it there, it started to cry. When I picked it up, and patted it softly, its fragrant burps smelled like the wet woods in summer.
Brother
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Darla’s basil plant looked rough even though she had found the perfect spot—her home office desk next to the window. When she adopted a basil plant brother to sit beside it, something changed: It strengthened, deepened in color. At night, she thought she could hear them talking and laughing.
Double
27 Thursday Oct 2022
While hurricane winds stirred, Nivena spied a woman in her mother’s spare bedroom—a younger version of her mother. She was rearranging her mother’s books while her own mother made dinner. Alarmed, Nivena vowed that when the hurricane passed, she would return home and keep what she saw a secret.
little green door
30 Friday Apr 2021
Here is a fairly unrevised response to a writing prompt from a writing group meeting a couple of weeks ago. I wrote this in my favorite little 4×7 spiral notebook I use to write fiction and track expenses and doctors’ appointments. I did not write this on a keyboard, neither did anyone else. And when we shared our results out loud, we couldn’t always tell what we’d written! But I do think there is something to be gained from putting thoughts on paper. Ok, the prompt was as follows or I remember it as follows: Someone is lost or in danger and someone else shows the way to a hiding place. [We had five minutes to write.]
She felt alone, abandoned, recently expelled from her husband’s home. Her sisters and mother were far away in the hills. She sought shelter in the forest. The trees looked the same – uncompromising sentries, impenetrable gaze. Something tapped her on the shoulder. There was the sound of dry leaves like crackling skin. “I have room for you,” said a tree, “in a quiet place inside.” And the tree made her small, and she walked into a space between the arches of its roots and she opened a little green wooden door labeled #7. A kettle was on over a tiny stove and a fire of moss crackled on a tiny stone hearth. She lay upon a cushion of leaves and listened to the creaking of the tree trunk, its sighs the low moaning an old spiritual. She felt herself drift down, down into a dark pool and she dreamt of poppies and warm springs.
My first attempt at audio! Well, I have recorded a story for a journal, but this is my first attempt for the blog. You can also follow my podcast on Spotify. I am a beginner, so please have mercy. But I do hope you enjoy.
Inktober: Leonard
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At the swank Orlando hotel on Halloween, the costumed guests receive a warm jazz piano greeting compliments of Leonard. While his fingers glide along the keys, he slips from his body to caress skin, listen to hearts, learn buried histories. They slip him bills. He sows his dark, secret seeds.
Storytober: Bite
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Julia attempted to pay for her Pumpkin Chai and Moleskine notebook at the Barnes and Noble Starbucks but a woman beside her announced she and her child were first. Julia made way. The child growled and bit Julia’s hand with razor sharp teeth. She was rushed to the hospital: Rabies.