The room was large, much larger than the tower looked coming up the driveway. There was the fireplace Darlene mentioned although Jenny hadn’t seen a chimney from the outside. A second well-lighted entrance opened at the back like the one she had come through, though the light was certainly odd, not something she could describe easily.

While Darlene slept Jenny sat quietly on the couch for another hour with her eyes closed, then reminded herself of Darlene’s description of Michi. Then she spoke. “Are you there Marlene?” Silence for a time, then a pale version of Darlene in an Orphan Annie dress stood next to the table.

TWINS by Marie C., Part 17 - Jenny’s House, Day 2
by Marie C.

Michi considered the apparition above them. Regarding it for a time she realized there were two shadows present in the girl’s image where there should be one. Commanding them to separate she saw that one of the two was male! She waited to see what might come of her dictate but the two moved back together without incident. She had heard of such things although they were rare.

714: Sgt. Joe

An undercover police officers assignment goes very wrong. Part of a multi-thread story for Erin's BC Strangefellows Day contest. Latest Edition, honest

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I have memories of that night that come—and-go like will-o-wisps, but the last I can recall, I heard shouting, lights sweeping the waters and a distant loud splash. I was nearly gone when an arm snagged me and clamped around my waif-ish body. It squished one of my boobies, painfully. I distinctly remember that’s what I thought at the moment. I don’t remember much after that. I do remember wondering why my boobies were so tender and … Guys don’t have …~~

I closed the door after waving goodbye to Sue and Judy and returned to the dining room where I had been doing my prep. Mummy had laid a cheerful checked cloth on the table so all I had to do was put out place mats and lay out the cutlery. Auntie G kept the "dining-room cutlery"–as she called it–in one of the drawers of the Welsh dresser, so I went straight to it and opened the drawer, and sure enough, there were knives, forks and spoons for all occasions–many of them strange to me–but I was able to select what I thought was needed and laid up two places.

An Unusual Chanukah Visitor

by shalimar

Note: The transgender element is from previous stories.

It was the sixth day of Chanukah, the first day of the New Moon and Christmas morning. Maggie woke up first and because it was her third day off from school and the Christmas recess. She was raring to go.

"Julie was looking to where Martin was going and almost fainted. There were two snipers and an officer up there. They seemed to be getting ready to take a shot at Grok!

She let out an uncontrolled shriek and dove at Grok. “They are going to shoot you!!!”. About that time, there was a shot but it fell to the floor in back of Grok. Apparently, he had some sort of personal shield. There was another shot and one of the little children fell to the floor with blood running out of her chest."

I'm so excited! Saphira kindly offered to translate my story, Shoes, to German! It's now posted on the German TG fiction website, Tor der Trá¤ume, which translates to something like Gate of the Dreams. The translated story can be found there under the name Schuhe, as well as below.

Schuhe
Copyright 2007 by Heather Rose Brown
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After years of separation, Carl is finally about to meet up with his best friend again, when he hears shouting coming from her house. Why does she sound so angry? Will what should be a happy reunion become a disaster? Will Brianna and her big brother have to leave? Read on and find out!

Brianna's Big Brother - Chapter 3
Copyright 2007 by Heather Rose Brown

What would happen if you swung all the way over a swing set? Would the world change? Would you? In this story, two friends experience what happens when you take a trip over the Magic Swing Set.

The Magic Swing Set
Copyright 2007 by Heather Rose Brown
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Are you a fan of Penny Reed Cardon's wonderful Education in the Hills? Have you been wondering how to keep track of all the fascinating people in this series? Wonder no more! By popular demand, we proudly present the Immigration Manor PDA! Just click on the PDA below and get things started, then click on the tabs and page buttons at the top of the screen to start browsing. Enjoy! :)

Lizzie Jane, still thinking that the strange man was giving her a ride to Tuscaloosa, was unknowingly flown to a small airport outside Miami. Still unsuspecting the true motive of the strange man, she was placed in a room with two other girls “to wait for just a little while”.

It was when she was given a pair of short-shorts and a short top that revealed her belly button that questions seem to pop up. Puzzled, she asked, “What are these for?’

“Because that is the way our clients like for our young girls to be dressed,” came the reply.

”Clients?” questioned Lizzie Jane.

“Shut up and put them on,” was the response, followed by a sharp slap on the face.

Surprised and being overcome with fear, she complied. The two other girls looked on at the spectacle.

After the door was closed, one of the girls spoke, “Didn’t you realize that you have been kidnapped and to be sold to someone of another country? We are all in the same boat.”

Lizzie Jane was speechless. The girl noticed Lizzie Jane’s confusion, so she continued, “We tried to resist and were beaten for our efforts. We have talked about escape, but there isn’t any chance."

Dave makes his first work trip to Germany for Apollinaris...

This was too good to be true, thought Lizzie Jane, but she was so excited that she did not stop and think that the man may not be telling the truth. Also, he appeared to be a gentleman. What harm could come from that?

She decided to take him up on his offer.

The police was back at Reverend Walker’s home. “We may have some bad news,” one of the officers reported.

“When the Mobile police got to the address she called from, she was gone. They questioned some boys who last saw her and they said that she got in a car with a unknown male. The Mobile police department has been watching that address very carefully and have planted a plainclothes woman in the area to investigate the suspicion that white slave traders work out of that section of town. From the description given by the boys, the male who has her in his car may be the suspected ringleader of the group.”

“You mean---“ began the shocked Reverend.

“Yes, she may never be heard from again,” replied the officer. “She may be shipped to another country and sold as a slave — if the male is indeed the person the Mobile police think he is.

As Dave and Jenny crossed the threshold and entered Castle Bond, it was easy to see they were both well past the point of exhaustion. As Dave dropped their bags just inside the door and they both plopped down on the sofa in the front room, he spoke, “Home, sweet home. I don’t think I’ve ever been so glad to be anywhere in my entire life.”

“Oh yes, that part was great. It was everything else that went on that wore me out. And I still have decisions to make.”

“Who–who are you?” asked Lizzie Jane in a frightened voice.

“Oh, just a traveling partner,” the voice answered. “I ride the rails often. How about you? Are you a run-away?”

“No — no — I was just trying to get in out of the rain.” Lizzie Jane replied, still with a nervous voice.

“Rain? The sun is shining, hon.”

“Well, it was raining.”

The man smiled. Lizzie Jane adjusted her eyes to the light. The man had on tattered clothing, a short beard and two front teeth missing. “You must be from North Alabama. I understand that it was raining cats and dogs up there.”

“I am from Carter’s Bend”, replied Lizzie Jane.

“Yep, know right where it’s at”, answered the man. “You are in South Alabama — a fer piece from Carter’s Bend. My name is George.”

“I am Elizabeth Jane, but my friends call me Lizzie.”

“Well, can I be your friend — Lizzie?”

“Well — I guess so,” was the young girl’s reply.

As Jen slowly recovers from her surgery, she finds herself contemplating her choices and how they've impacted her loved ones. As she bears all, Dave searches for a way to balance what's in his heart with what's on his mind.

In this chapter, Bobby has fun with Cori, Tess, and Rhianna at the slumber party. Everything seems to be going fine ... until someone walks in on Bobby while she's getting changed for bed. Will anything ever be the same for her again? Read on and find out!

Bobby's Rainy Day Adventure - Chapter XIII
Copyright 2007 by Heather Rose Brown
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Well, this has been a right strange Christmas, to say the least, what with Jen being gone, and the kid’s lack of enthusiasm for the holiday…I never thought I’d see the day when my children weren’t up at the crack of dawn to open presents. No, this year, I even slept in a bit and was still first up. I guess it’s safe to say Jen’s absence has been the main reason for the strangeness. Thank God she’s finally coming home. I can only hope she’s going to drop this charade and tell me what’s really going on. I have to say I hope I’m not correct, frankly, but I think I have a fair idea what’s coming. We shall see…