A bathroom stall. The ward bathroom — three stalls, the strip lighting humming above, the particular echo of hard surfaces. You are sitting on the toilet and you don't know how you got here. Early morning from the light under the stall door, the ward not yet fully awake. The gap between whatever came before and this stall on this morning is blank and featureless as the gaps always are.

Chapter 15: The Book

Kate's hands trembled slightly as she picked up the book and slowly read aloud the handwritten title above the first page. "Look ... Out ... Seattle"

Candy’s eyes flashed and she squealed, "Oh my goodness Biddie you’re right! I do remember now. That was one of Maggie's best stories "

[At the home of Mr Fox and his Son early Monday morning]

The SOCO team was assembled for a briefing. More than a few were yawning. It was not yet 06:00.

“I want this place taken apart. Every nook and cranny. Check the walls and under the floors. Who knows… there could even be secret rooms,” said Detective Chief Inspector Clive Pascoe.

Chapter 13: Kate Resurfaces

When the Captain and Jason left, it was Maggie's cue once again to retire to the background. As Kate took prominence, she felt as if all the wind had left her sails. She eased back toward her pillow with a drained expression that did not miss the doctor's eye.

Cover art by Erin Halfelven
©2026, SammyC

Maintaining An Image

I was looking through the credit card bills for the last month. Neither my wife nor I are hurting for money, both having successful careers that we have been able to walk away from in the last few years. Due to being high profile in the community we both are expected to attend quite a few social and charitable functions every month.

Chapter 11: Maggie's Memories

When Kate gave her a puzzled look she continued, "Do you remember when Biddie was talking about your stories you shared, and how much everyone enjoyed them?"

He had Ten Thousand Men

The Duke may have had that many men, but the pub where I worked, of the same name, would only fit a few dozen of them in the front bar, if they were friendly. There was a lot more room over the three floors and the beer garden. We catered to a very wide range of drinkers, from social groups, office after-hours groups, shoppers from along Oxford Street, and tourists drawn in by its eighteenth-century ambience.

Proud And Polished Gurl

Being a young male, what I was considering doing was illogical, crazy and if caught disastrous. I was raised by my Mother and two older sisters. Given the name of Corey at birth I was somewhat normal during my childhood. Both of my sisters were seven years older than me, actually twins and quite imposing as members of the female gender. I was probably an oops baby, but no matter how many times I inquired about the gap between my sisters birth and mine everyone remained steadfastly silent.

Part Two

Slowly, it obeyed. Malak flew overhead for a bit, watching to make sure it actually left. Once certain it would maintain its course away from the beach at least for a while, he turned his attentions to the other monsters. Most of them were by now already ashore. Though they lumbered, they still made progress on the land.

When the government decides to erase Kate Thomas in 24 hours, fate had other ideas.

The elevator opens and I step into the office. My shoes squeak against the linoleum, too loose, and my hips move with each step in a rhythm I'm not choosing. The receptionist gives me her usual nod.