The White Pawn ICaptain William Royce woke with a drum beating in his head. He found himself sprawled out on of the benches inside the, now empty, tavern. Save for the dim light from the oil lantern on the table before him, the place was dark: it was still night. From the looks of the tavern now there was no sign of a party that led to a violent brawl earlier. As a city guard, it was his job to keep the peace. But William...

It was a rainy Thursday. School was a drag, and I went through the motions of being a student--going to the different classes, sitting in the back row where I always sat, usually by the window, so I could see the trees and watch the birds scampering on the grass in front. But that day, it was dreary and pouring. I kept looking up at the clock, watching the hand moving slower than ever. I doodled in my notebook, making int...

Part 1Once upon a time in a faraway land, lived a beautiful young girl named Snow White. She was named due to her very fair skin that was as white as the shining white snow of the winter wonderland where she lived. Her lips were the colour of blood and her eyes shone like blue sapphires. Although she was beautiful, she was quite cruel. Her father had not long remarried and his new queen was not all she seemed. Snow White'...

He sat there, staring at the page, stunned by what he saw, thinking, “But … he’s been my best friend since college. This … This can’t be right.”Edward Miller had just gotten back from his latest trip, this time to Japan. The hired car had taken him from the airport to the office, so he could report in and then drive his own car back home. It was as he’d been checking his mail slot that he found the envelope — looking just...

It was going to be a typical late July day. Rather than spending the whole summer stuck in day camp, Mom and Dad had offered that I could stay most of it at my grandparents’ house. Their house was an hour and a half away, and I’d been told it was right on the border between the suburbs and rural farmland. Just about every time we were there, grandma or grandpa would talk about how the farmers kept selling their properties...

He pulled into the driveway and saw that the realtor was already there, leaning against the door of her car, waiting for him. She smiled and walked over to his car as he parked, grabbed his jacket and stepped out. “Mr. Bradburn?” she said, holding out her hand. He nodded and shook her hand, starting to look around while she continued talking. “Amanda Williamson — Amanda.” “Please, call me Owen. I always feel weird when an...

He pulled his cloak over his head and brushed away a few errant flakes of snow from his shoulders. He breathed out a long breath into his cold, rough hands, this warmed them with incredible speed. He stepped out from the Coaching Inn into the day. His footfalls were cushioned by the blanket of fresh snow. His long staff arced its way through the air as he walked, and made a small dent in the snow close to his right footpr...

Moonlight edged through the tree branches high overhead, as the wind howled through them bringing a sharp cold slap to her face. Darkness seeped under the canopy far above, shrouding the world in shadow. There was one small flicker of light that illuminated the cover that encased it.Her fingers grew numb, holding the iron candle holder. A dark blue candle for banishing glowed with enough light to illuminate her pale face,...

Like most ideas, it seemed a good one at the time. And when my bubbling daughter Claire enthused, “Great! Go for it, mum,” the decision was made.But now I was having second thoughts.Nothing unusual about that, really. In the twenty-five years since I made that unforgettable decision, I have been in the habit of dithering. Indecisive should be my middle name.As I placed my shopping packages on the shelf and hitched onto a...

Soft, so soft the skin on your cheek,with the down of desire so silky smooth to the touch.I lightly stroke you with the tenderness of a lovertransforming your tearsto smiles,tracing down your face from each bedewed eyelidto your lips,tasting the salinity of loss.I fulfill.I am the one to bring you forthand bear you up into the heights of passion,with a forgetfulnessof the transitory dull throbbing of heartache.It is I who...

Had it not been for the rope attached to the safety harness he wore Vince would have fallen about twelve feet, but the sensors detected a free fall and applied the brakes stopping him about one foot from the stone floor, but he still bumped his head and lacerated his forehead.  He discovered that he was bleeding and went for the small first aid kit he carried in his vest and managed the stop the flow of blood. Flashing th...

Your words are like knives Are they truthful or lies They just ruin lives Tears running from my eyesI know you're trying To pay these bills It’s really just the lying It’s really making me illI only go with what you say Then the calls eventually start This is really ruining my day It’s just breaking my heartThis is quite concerningTo be in the dark You really should be earning Another big question markI’m always left numb...

You claim you have a face you claim is not spoiled by beauty, and I know you have eyes that can see right through me, and are unafraid of those things you have seen; along with those scars I carry that the sun’s dark light wouldn’t or couldn’t heal from where I have been. I was once told those cuts would heal and that I would feel nothing when they happened. There is a light we can’t always feel and a dark that can always...

Crying in the rain and feeling the pain from it raining stones and knowing all those memories and things I have seen will soon be washed away, and finding myself staring into space. And now looking at those mist covered mountains in the distance past those fields of destruction, where baptisms in fire were received. Where I witnessed suffering by some as the battles of life took their toll along with fear, yet I never des...

Dreaming of a Powerball win All that money to be had Happiness would begin No more feelings of being sad Five white balls and the red ball Would be a winning one I'm giving it my all I'm having loads of fun I'd help my family and friends Taking care of their bills Good will till the end Lots of money in my will Real estate on the beach Vacations everywhere Nothing would be out of reach I have said a little prayer Trust fu...