Mike hadn’t created a familiar since he first joined the Circle of Thorns. But the spell was easy, and once he started it, it all came flooding back to him. He chose his brother’s old “totem” animal, a raven. Common enough in Vibora Bay. The spirit raven that came to… Continue reading
Romantic music. Check. Candles in the bedroom. Check. Candles around the hot tub. Check. No shirts. Check. Mike looked around the room, smiling at the preparations. He walked over to Scott, hugging him from behind as he looked out the window. “I just saw him get dropped off,” Scott said…. Continue reading
Mike smiled when he came around the corner and came face to face with Dr. White. “Grimaulkin,” she said shortly, and started to walk by him. “Dr. White, you’re just the lady I want to see.” Dr. White pursed her lips. “I am very busy,” she said. “What is it.”… Continue reading
Manny looked down. “Yes, Papa.” Manuel said sternly, “It’s time you start acting like a man of this house.” “Yes, Papa.” After his father left, and Manny watched his father and sisters walk south toward the mills, Manny scampered outside to Adele’s. She was open, even at this early hour,… Continue reading
Little Manny’s mother was spooning out the stew when Manuel entered. He sighed, sat down at the head table. Little Manny went to get Elsie. Elsie was sitting with her ear against the speaker. “Dinner,” he called. She looked up, her deep brown eyes glassy with being in another world…. Continue reading
(This is a work in progress for an anthology contest, where the theme is “People of Rhode Island” This is based on a family yarn that my great-uncle told me “really happened”.) Little Manny Estrella swung the bucket as he walked up the hill towards St. Patrick’s Church. Not… Continue reading
Let me just say, retirement is boring. About two years ago, I retired from heroing. My nemesis Stone Cold was in the clink, and there were plenty of other heroes around to save the day. Millennium City was just full of them. It was also full of the down-and-outers like myself…. Continue reading
Hello? Hello, is this Mike? Yeah. Who’s this? I talked to Scott earlier and your number’s on here. You do realize it’s three in the morning. Yeah. So this better be good. I want to know about the team. *rustle* What do you want to know? How many people do… Continue reading
Mike let the hot spray of the shower caress the back of his neck as he put his hands on the wall, leaning forward. He closed his eyes, trying both to focus and to relax. Tag had taken him, and, as usual, he enjoyed it. Scott knew this happened sometimes,… Continue reading
Reynard Johansson, the CEO of Textron, Inc., did not like mysteries. He tapped his chin at the report that was on the screen. Derrick Larsson was a genius, at least according to his school records. He had worked a few odd jobs in tech, nothing spectacular, mostly R&D. But then… Continue reading