Witching Hour

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by Kimberly Rei 

“We are gathered here to welcome Isabella into our church and our hearts.”

The small group pulled closer, sighing with joy at the bundle in the priest’s hands. He held the baby over a font, dribbling water on her forehead as he spoke. For her part, Isabella didn’t cry. She hiccuped at him, drawing indulgent laughter.

One by one, the candles flicked out, casting the church into shadow. A full moon shone through stained glass windows, painting priest and child in deep crimson tones. Chanting filled the space as unseen joined the ceremony.

This child would have a blessed life.

Kimberly Rei

Kimberly Rei does her best work in the places that can’t exist…the in-between places where imagination defies reality. With a penchant for dark corners and hooks that leave readers looking over their shoulder, she is always on the lookout for new ideas and new ways to make words dance.

Website: reitales.com

 

The Call of the Sea by S.F. Gouldesbrough

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In a haunting coastal landscape in North Yorkshire, a creature lurks beneath the waves, captivating one unsuspecting woman and beckoning her towards a dark destiny.

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Developmental by Emily Fox-Douglas

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A new mother watches shadows transform into something more while she sits awake with her young son. As Rudy grows older she frets about his development challenges and his silent world.

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Ho Ho Ho

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Venture into a world where the merry and the macabre collide, redefining your holiday season in just one-hundred-word festive bites.

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The Affectionate Captain Belle

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by Alden Terzo 

Captain Belle and Bonecrusher Pete brought their dinghy alongside her ship.

Belle stood, jewels in hand. “Sorry luv, you won’t be coming aboard.”

  Pete gaped. “You’re double crossing me?”

“Maths was never your strength, was it sugar?” She smiled. “We double crossed that jeweller. This is a triple cross.”

Pete stood, towering over her. “I’ll not stand for this!”

“I know, baby,” Belle cooed. Drawing her cutlass, she deftly sliced the tendon beneath his kneecap, sending him sprawling. “You may sit.”

Pete roared.

“Such a tantrum!” Belle exclaimed as her crew pulled her aboard. “Was it the maths barb, darlin’?

Alden Terzo

When Alden Terzo isn’t reading, he’s often writing. Or procrastinating. There is usually coffee involved. Find him on Twitter 

Twitter: @AmbassadorAlden 

 

The Wrong Ship for That

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by T.J. Gallasch 

“Hand over the necklace, in the name of His Majesty the King,” the officer ordered.

“You’ll need to take it from me,” One-Eyed Sue declared.

“What are you waiting for, man?” ordered the officer’s senior dressed in red. “Kill her and take what we’ve come for.”

Without hesitation, the sailor lunged with his sword.

Sue felt the point pierce her chest, but the pain was evident in the sailor’s eyes. Before her, mist surrounded the man, changing him—painfully.

“And the Black Mist’s crew keeps growing,” laughed Sue as she jumped overboard, the precious necklace still firmly in her grasp.

T.J. Gallasch

 

The Pirate’s Parrot

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by Tracy Davidson 

Captain Drake “Ducky” Mallard never touched rum. Or Spanish gold. She’d seen what both did to fellow pirates. She preferred a clear head and curseless life.

Well, relatively curseless. Once a month, hormones turned her into raving hellbeast. Her First Mate learnt to handle her (after having been tossed overboard two or thirteen times). The support parrot helped. And pots and pots of smuggled tea.

She didn’t murder. Or maim (much). Until the day an aggrieved tea merchant strangled said support parrot.

She had both stuffed and mounted. Now, parrot feathers and a pair of ball bags adorn her hat.

Tracy Davidson

Tracy Davidson lives in Warwickshire, England, and writes poetry and flash fiction. Her work has appeared in various publications and anthologies, including: Poet’s Market, Mslexia, Atlas Poetica, Modern Haiku, The Binnacle, A Hundred Gourds, Shooter, Journey to Crone, The Great Gatsby Anthology, WAR, In Protest: 150 Poems for Human Rights.

Satisfaction

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by Jenny Thompson 

The captain clambered up the rope ladder.

“I’ve got it!” he called cheerfully before hopping the rail onto the deck of his ship. He tossed his leather map quiver to the First Mate. “The map’s a gift from the harbour master’s wife who turned out to be a most agreeable lady. Her husband, on the other hand…” He shook his head. “I had to make a rather quick exit from her bedchamber this morning.”

“Captain, you seem to have forgotten something.”

The captain glanced down.

“Right.” He shrugged. “I’m sure I can pick up my trousers next time we visit.”

Jenny Thompson

Jenny Thompson is an IT analyst based in Pittsburgh. Her poetry has been published in Strange Horizons, Star*Line, and the anthology Post ROE Alternatives: Fighting Back.

Choose Who You Accrue to Crew the Cruise Carefully

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by Steven Holding 

I didn’t sign up for this ship!

I was press-ganged; seduced by drink and the promise of riches. Slipped a mickey, woke afloat upon the ocean.

Luckily, the cretinous captain doesn’t realise mutiny’s nothing new to me. Quick compliments (YOU’RE NO OAR BORE, YOU’RE B.O.A.T!) and I’m soon first and best mate.

Using behind his back distraction tactics (AKA parrot poisoning) I slyly ply the crew with boozy truths. “This captain’s seafood! It’s the plank, then he’s plankton!”

A pirate’s pact is made; blades break skin, crimson drops diluting our drinks.

Us bloodthirsty lads raise a toast.

“Murder a redrum!”

Steven Holding

Steven Holding lives in the United Kingdom. Most recently, his stories have appeared in the collections Annihilation from Black Ink Fiction and Year Four from Black Hare Press. You can follow his work at:

Website: stevenholding.co.uk