Unfolding the Worlds

Maybe I should think of something else. Maybe I should let these days flow into some other river. Maybe I should walk along different riverbanks. Maybe I should get away from this place. Maybe it is time to find somewhere else, either in this world or some other new one I have not seen before.

Each Hand Holds a Secret

‘Each hand holds a secret,’ I said, holding them both out to her, clasped tight. ‘Which one do you choose?’ Hemma cocked her head to one side as she faced me. ‘Do I have to choose?’ ‘Everybody has to choose, all the time. It is the choices we make that, in turn, make us who

It Was a Dream that Held Us Close in Our Falling

It was a dream that held us close in our falling. Shandra’s silent scream lost in the churning as we fell over and over, around and around, clutching each other close as we fell through the nothingness. We had dreamt together a few times before. The Dream Masters had – they said – chosen us

Back Then

Back then, it was all rather different. Balik had been young, back then, of course. Back then, he didn’t have the aches and the pains. Back then, he didn’t find himself waking up suddenly, wondering where he was and where everyone had gone. Most of them were dead now, of course. A few had gone

When Every Day is One of Those Days

It was one of those days. He could tell. He’d had many of those days. He’d had a lifetime of those days. Sometimes Sam wondered what he’d done to deserve this life, but on the whole he tried not to think about it. Doreen was asleep, a sort of occasional half-snore emanating from her side

It is About Desire

‘It is about desire,’ she said. ‘Ah, desire.’ I replied. ‘Desire and I parted company a long time ago. We are strangers now.’ She knelt up on the low divan, edging closer to me. Her hands carved shapes into the air between us. I saw a vision grow out of the stillness. A faraway place

The Voice Inside

It had slept for so long. It didn’t know for how long. Time did not mean much to it, and time when it slept was no time at all. But the long cold was over. That, at least, was something. The warmth, then the heat, then the scorching fire of the fall meant the long

The Mystery of the Disappearing Queen

‘You missed a good story in the inn last night.’ Helm shrugged. ‘I have little time for storytellers. They’re all liars.’ Tolg sat down beside the shepherd, both watching the sheep. ‘Oh, this storyteller is new. He hasn’t visited our village before.’ Helm muttered his thanks as Tolg passed him the wine bottle. Helm drank

The Hauntings

‘Come back,’ she said. I turned. There was no-one there. There never is. The voice comes at odd times with no real pattern or purpose. Like the visions of her, the mirages, the sightings – whatever you want to call them. They happen in various places both inside the house and outside it. I have

Introducing the Secondary Characters

‘Hello. All right?’ ‘Hello. Yes… I’m fine.’ James looked around.’Er… excuse me?’ ‘Yes, mate?’ ‘If you don’t mind me asking, who are you?’ ‘Me?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Oh, sorry. I thought you knew. I’m one of the secondary characters.’ He extended his hand. ’I’m Pete.’ ‘Hello, Pete. Pleased to meet you. I’m….’ ‘Oh, I know who you