The Boogeyman
Before I was born, he began his reign of terror. Then he waited for me to add to his list. He dug his claws in deep I’d be his next passenger. Forty-two years on my shoulder Tap. Tap. Tap. “Wrong.” “Nothing.” “No-one” “Don’t” I never saw him that was his cruelest trick. A sick game…
John’s Vest
Everyday, John wakes up and thinks about the vest. He wakes up and thinks about having to put it on. It’s there in the corner of his room, waiting for him. Haunting him. He’s had his sleep, he’s had his respite. Now it’s time to wear it again. It turns his stomach. Another day with…
The Liminal
I glance down as a notification pops up in the bottom right hand corner of my screen. I lazily click on it, expecting confirmation of a decision on my most recent case. Instead the words DECISION: PENDING fill the screen. My blood (is it blood?!) runs through me, cold as ice. My hand holding the…
My Little Anchor
My little life anchor. I miss you so much. I miss you everyday and every single night. When I come into our bedroom and you’re not lying in the most awkward of places, I wonder where you are. During the middle of the night I look towards the bottom of the bed and I wonder…
Shadows of the Past – New York
I was 8 months old when my parents relocated to Buckfern, Utah, it was home to me. I had a great childhood and like most only-children, my pops was my hero. Everything he did I wanted to do. He played baseball with the Buckie Ferns and he could hit a ball for what seemed like…
A Visit
John Daniels clicked on the kettle, grabbed a mug from the overhead cupboard and shot a teabag in from a couple metres away basketball style. “Boom!” he shouted out, celebrating away to himself. He turned to look out at the back garden – kids toys everywhere he shook his head and added it to the…
Them – Part 1
As the rain pelted down hard against his leather hood, Jackson glanced up and down the empty road before crossing towards the pub. The small act was a force of habit now, more than a precaution, it was a comforting thought that somewhere out there, there may actually still be cars on the road. Finally…
Blood Donor
The train thundered in exactly on time. Outside, it was dark and the streetlights that shone on the platform left it looking peaceful, as hints of mist rose up through the cold night. The passenger lifted a small backpack from the luggage rack above, pulled a warm bobble hat over their shaven head and zipped…
Bruce Claus – A Christmas Poem for Kids
Here’s a question for your Mother, Did you know Santa had a brother? On Christmas Eve he sets off too, Delivering presents to me, or you. It’s not a bike or toys in his sack, Something much less fun, and much more black, This isn’t nice, but I must insist, You hear this tale of…
Writer’s Block
I’m in a pickle. I don’t know what to do. The only thing I have left is to write it down and hope someone out there believes me. I’ve spoken to my publisher, my agent, my friends, christ even my loved ones. They don’t want to know! I’ll try to explain. 4 years ago, I…
The Dicephal
“The King insists, my lady, he has much to consider and does not wish to interrupt your slumber. Please, after you.” Counsellor Jerethan wiped the sweat from his overactive brow and hustled Queen Imsin of Dracwell into her warm, firelit room. This was the fourth time this week he had been required to convince the…
A Contractual Obligation
On June 24, 2017, Achilles Cage (born Darren Christian Cage), a 39 year old British professional wrestler employed by Global Wrestling Championships (GWC) died, live on TV, in strange and controversial circumstances.
When I, Jason Keith, a sports investigative journalist for 15 years, received a telephone call from wrestling historian, John F Hunter, offering…
Finding Herself
The trip to Greece had been exactly what the Doctor ordered for Amanda. The 4th night, was not.
A Peek Behind the Curtain
“I pulled people along when they didn’t want to be pulled, I challenged people when they didn’t want to be challenged. I earned that right.” Michael Jordan, The Last Dance During this lockdown period I’ve strangely struggled with what to do with myself during the evening once the kids are in bed. In what seems…
You Can’t Say That
This is a rambling, probably incoherent post. Recently, I’ve found myself thinking about a conversation I had a couple years ago with someone. I was having a difficult time, dealing with alot of chaotic thoughts and feelings. I decided to confide in this person as they were a person of authority who would probably need…
The Post-Human Movement
14 April 2023 From: DanielDGardener@gmail.c0m To: B&FGardener@yahoo.c0.uk Hey Mum, How are you both coping? How is Dad today? Is he still confined to the one room? Thought I’d send a quick email over before going to bed. I left the house today! My first time in 3 weeks, just to pick up some food. I…
Job Vacancy
Chapter 1 Do you like high stakes? Are you an internet search wizard? Can you keep a secret? We’re hiring! Call us today! I’d been sat in front of the laptop now for at least 2 hours. Between ordering coffees from the comfortable surroundings of table 106 of generic coffee place number 5 in the…
The Night Stigs Pub Got Dezza’d
I ken this guy right, his names Dezza, he drinks in ma local. He’s a sound enough guy, one o they guys who tends tae go unnoticed places, he’ll be there no really contributing, jist laughing at the patter. Anyway, me and ma mates were all stood aboot yin Friday night having a pint and…
Selected
Most mornings were the same back then. I woke up, I had breakfast, I got dressed and went to school. 5 days a week, every week for 8 years. The morning in question was just another one of those. 1 Wednesday in 1 week out of 52, but when I close my eyes I can…
Lessons Learned: A Letter to My Lads
A letter to my lads, It takes time. Maybe longer than you want it to. But trust me, you’ll find the real you eventually and it’ll change your life. It’s easy to say it doesn’t matter what people think but we both know that it does. What’s more important is working out who the right…
The Morning Of
The soft wetness against my lips was heavenly. Those big beautiful red lips were intoxicating. It was the first time I’d been kissed like that in years. I disappeared into a divine trance as her hard, sandpapery tongue ran across my face. Wait a minute? Sandpapery? Tongue? All across my face? “Albert!!” I sprang up…
Isolation
2 MONTHS AGO The 8 hour drive had taken its toll. Everyone told me I was mad. That a drive that long after a night filled with drinks, tears, hugs and goodbyes from my nearest and dearest would have to be done over two days. Take a night to sleep off the road and do…
The Beautiful Game & The Mental Struggle
“Hi boss – yeah, no….no….we lost it.” It was the 23rd of October, part of the way through the first half of the season. Things had been going great for me professionally, I was scoring goals for fun and at home we were so excited to be expecting another baby. It was our second time…
Hornswall Pt. 1: Rise of a King
Hornswall, the most Northern of Kingdoms was the very tip of our world. Royalty – loved, respected and feared sat as the centerpiece, the very heartbeat of the Kingdom. A vast sweeping domain of cities, woods and seasons, Hornswall had once been a Kingdom fractured by borders and dominated by bloodshed for decades. Since the…
The Rain
Hard, cold rain strikes my face and rolls down my cheeks, the thunder crackles and fills my body with dread. “Not great weather we’re having at the moment is it?” I nod and shrug and agree and keep my head down. Don’t say anything. What’s the point? Small talk is for other people. I really…
Love Buzz – Part 1
“Now come on everyone, repeat after me: We Are Someone’s Paradise.” “WE ARE SOMEONE’S PARADISE” droned the reply from the crowd. Wolliver Sting stood smiling before his small group of dedicated followers. Each and every one of them stood to attention, hanging on his every word. He prickled with delight as they repeated his mantra…
Jeff Brooks is Dead!!!! 