Historical
Harper's Ferry
The randomly scheduled sirens began sounding around 2am and we headed to the basement to await the “all clear” which usually meant we’d be down there at least 4 hours. As we huddled together on the old couch that once was part of our Livingroom set we tried to close our eyes and go back to sleep, but for me it was impossible. My mind was racing with worry because I wasn’t sure when I’d get another chance to slip into the old fort which had been locked. A poster with “no trespassing” was plastered across the boarded front door like all non-essential buildings in the village since the Nuclear EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) had crippled America’s electronics on a massive scale including the power grid, phone, internet lines and every other electronic infrastructure. So, I was going “old school” in order to look for information which could be the key to discovering the origin of the old locket I’d found.
By Helen Krieger5 years ago in Fiction
Love Among the Ashes
“If you are captured, use this to kill yourself with.” Hiro’s wife handed him the dagger. She loved him unconditionally, but she was a loyal citizen, a woman warrior of Japan and her ultimate allegiance belonged to the Emperor, for it was He, the divine instrument, that had brought Hiro and her together. With a poisonous hiss, the blade slipped from its sheath. She positioned the tip of the curved steel to her stomach, intending to demonstrate where to place the blade before falling onto it, but Hiro knew the custom well; he had witnessed it firsthand during the first world war. With soft, compassionate, embrace of hands he slid the weapon back into its cover and took it from her, placing it into the military issue bag at his feet.
By Scott Chadwick5 years ago in Fiction
JACK OF DIAMONDS
Agatha stepped out into the bright afternoon light, looking up at the clear blue sky. She saw a lark floating lazily on the air thermals, and she found herself watching it; remembering Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending, she began humming to herself . It was the piece she’d been learning on the violin, but that came to an end now that the violin had been stolen.
By ben woestenburg5 years ago in Fiction
My name is Zenica
Legend has it that thousands of years ago this valley was ruled by an exceptional young woman of great courage and moral virtues. She adored her people, and they adored her. God too was inclined to them, gave them a winding river to nourish their plants and make all kinds of food grow in plenty. Watermelons as sweet as honey grew long after the woman and her people had died out.
By Meliha Avdic5 years ago in Fiction
Waving Their Futures Goodbye
There were five of them, sisters aged from fourteen down to six, and they had all stood by the gate of their Somerset farm and waved as the soldiers marched past. It had been Dora’s idea – she was the eldest – but the rest of them – Lizzie, Martha, Rebecca and Ruth – had jumped at the chance, especially as their 17-year-old brother Reuben was going to be one of the soldiers.
By John Welford5 years ago in Fiction
45th the Great
It's amazing how quickly your life can change. Oftentimes because of circumstances beyond your control. I remember how all this started, I was there that day when those fateful words were spoken" whatta ya have to lose?" It was the first time I went to a political rally. I didn't support any candidate yet. I knew of this guy and decided I'd hear what he had to say.
By Qa'id Ali Harris5 years ago in Fiction
jack of diamonds
i Nigel closed the Bentley’s door. “Are you serious! We have a suspect right in front of us—even if we don’t know what he’s guilty of, we know he’s guilty of something—not murder, but something—and we have to leave because he accuses you of smoking opium? Opium? The worst part is, you’ve been smoking it since I met you,” Sonia said, turning to face him. “And all you can say is that didn’t go the way you’d hoped it would? My one chance to make an impression on those smug bastards, and you—you do this?”
By ben woestenburg5 years ago in Fiction
