It was getting dark when I got there, and I'd managed to get off the
wrong exit, too, guessing downtown was where it wasn't, as I always do.
It meant an anxious tour through the dark and empty streets down by the
river, looking for a place to stay, finding nothing until I finally
passed an open space -- park or vacant lot, I couldn't tell and didn't

Sometimes, despite a breath of breeze across the inky river, the night air seemed almost liquid with the lingering heat ....

Halfway across the river, the ferry turns. The gulls, as always, surprised by the boat's movement now wheel and dive, complaining cries as they take up their stations once again. The turn means a breeze from a fresh direction can ruffle hair, feather the hem of the skirt that after all these months I dare to wear so that it dances round my knees.

Maybe what keeps us on our course is fearing how the shock of change will shake the people whom we know.

The fountain that my own fingers recall, nothing like this: Drawn from a pond, a puddle. But, oh, how I felt an ocean of you crashing in. Ocean: warm saltiness of life, thick with potential, humming with energy barely contained, condensed of beating hearts and fluttering gills and lashing tails of a million, of a billion tiny creatures saying: Live, live.

CONCLUDING INSTALMENT: A final confrontation between Masters and Sato at the top of the world. This is how it ends...

Masters' mission nears its conclusion as she penetrates the security surrounding Room 497. But Sato has a final surprise up her sleeve. Who lives and who dies...?

As she approached the office, Hiromi saw something amiss. Her office door was ajar. Hiromi walked straight into the room only to find someone seated at her desk.

“I don’t care, get out of my office now.”

Synopsis- Captain Slater continues her Swan Song mission while at the same time undergoing both physical and mental changes.

My sleep was peppered with nightmares. Okay, more like several variations of one nightmare in particular. Every time I’d get to sleep I’d see Joey either attacking me, or harming those around me, or in one case outing me to all his redneck buddies as a transsexual.

Jane Masters gets in deeper and deeper as her investigation into the Red Fist continues. And what is the secret of Room 497...?

Masters arrives in enemy territory...

The beginning of a new life for disgraced British Intelligence agent Anthony Pierce, 004, as he prepares to embark on a mission into enemy territory in a deep cover disguise he didn't expect to be wearing in his wildest dreams. The transformation begins...

I looked up at her, something didn't sound quite right. "Becky?" I asked her questioningly.

"It's a little disturbing Bill. Here, you read it."

Domestic Partnership by Jennifer Brock

Two lost souls seeking to improve their lives find a common solution, but a series of mistakes, bizarre coincidences, and confused identities leads them in an unexpected direction.

Christmas Eve

An act of kindness by an unhappy man changes lives in unexpected ways.

My entry into Bob and Erin's February Short Story contest

* * * *

“But what do I do? What of my family, work, my home? How can I go home like this? Change me back, please!”

“If this is what ye truly want, I will grant your wish. Ye did me a great favor; I will try to restore ye. Hold still, Evan, I’ve never done this before.” Evelyn began to chant.

“You’ve never done WHA …?!”

Craig has become increasing depressed because of his
desire to become a woman and the inability to do so. However, after a
design flaw is discovered, the opportunity finally presents itself.

CURSED

Once upon a time, there was a man who lived in a hidden village in the woods. All the people in the village knew this man's name to be Shelly, and everyone in the village knew the man's story. Some times Shelly would come out of his house to watch the sun begin to set; and in the last moments before the sun is gone Shelly would cry.

So, what to wear; will he want or maybe expect girly or is that a cliché?
Somewhere a little on the girl side of middle will have to do.

The race to recover the amulet is on as Keri and Marc pursue a traitor deep in enemy territory. What they find in the wilds of Camron will bring both joy and sadness - unexpected allies will emerge and the power behind the plot will be unmasked. Part 3 of 3.

"Becky, do I have to do this?"

"Bill! Relax. They're both very nice ladies. Even if you don't remember them much, you'll like them."

"Okay, okay. I'm just nervous."

Folks, I thank all of you who have had the patience to put up with my long intro. Finally, it looks like the story is going somewhere. Not far, but at least a few questions get answered.

As usual, feedback is appreciated.