Michelle Brett Archives - Black Hare Press

Kid Tax

October 25, 2021/by S. Jade Path

by Michelle Brett

“Hand over the candy, kid.”

Anthony trembled beneath the bully’s gaze. He clutched his basket closer and spluttered out some words.

“Please, no. It took me ages.”

The bully snorted, then glanced back at his cronies; their faces already stuffed with stolen treats.

“Now,” he hissed.

Anthony dropped the basket as he held back his tears. He ran from the alleyway, laughter following him out.

But once he’d turned the corner, the run became an amble. His superhero cape floated behind him in the wind.

Not long now.

Soon they’d start gorging themselves, then the poison would take its toll.

Michelle Brett

Michelle Brett is a New Zealand based author, writing horror, thriller, and speculative fiction. She has a Diploma in Applied Writing and is currently working towards a Bachelor in Communication. In her free time, she likes to question the choices of horror movie characters and report on historic crimes for a local paper.

Safe Haven

April 20, 2021/by Black Hare Press

by Michelle Brett

“Call an ambulance. Someone’s been hurt.”

Marcus burst through the doors of the gas station; the bright lights irritating his eyes. He laid Mary down on the tiles and pressed his jacket against her leg.

“It’s okay, Mary. I’ve found help.”

But she only mumbled in reply, her eyes closed and her face drenched in sweat. The blood, having already soaked through the fabric, now pooled onto the floor.

Marcus called again.

“Hello?”

No response.

Then finally, footsteps. A sign of life. Marcus felt a wave of relief.

Until another noise followed, metal against tiles. The dragging of an axe.

Michelle Brett

Michelle Brett is a New Zealand based author, writing horror, thriller, and speculative fiction. She has a Diploma in Applied Writing and is currently working towards a Bachelor in Communication. In her free time, she likes to question the choices of horror movie characters and report on historic crimes for a local paper. Website: www.michellebrettbooks.com

Price of Admission

October 24, 2020/by Anny Saludar

by Michelle Brett

“Shall you give your hand or your eye?”

There was no reply. The stowaway was too fixated on the knife at his throat. His limbs pinned to the deck by the unwashed bodies.

The pirate continued, “You do want to be one of us, don’t you?”

With widened eyes, the stowaway tried to squirm, only to force the blade deeper into his flesh. He begged, “No…”

A snort. The smell of whiskey. The pirate turned to the crowd.

“The eye it shall be.”

Cheers erupted, drowning out the stowaway’s screams. From deep inside the ship, a red hot poker emerged.

Michelle Brett

Michelle Brett is a New Zealand-based writer and designer. She has a Diploma in Applied Writing and is working towards a Bachelor in Communication. In her free time, she likes to question the choices of horror movie characters and report on historic crimes for a local paper.

Website: www.michellebrettbooks.com

Tag Archive for: Michelle Brett

Kid Tax

by Michelle Brett

“Hand over the candy, kid.”

Anthony trembled beneath the bully’s gaze. He clutched his basket closer and spluttered out some words.

“Please, no. It took me ages.”

The bully snorted, then glanced back at his cronies; their faces already stuffed with stolen treats.

“Now,” he hissed.

Anthony dropped the basket as he held back his tears. He ran from the alleyway, laughter following him out.

But once he’d turned the corner, the run became an amble. His superhero cape floated behind him in the wind.

Not long now.

Soon they’d start gorging themselves, then the poison would take its toll.

Safe Haven

by Michelle Brett

“Call an ambulance. Someone’s been hurt.”

Marcus burst through the doors of the gas station; the bright lights irritating his eyes. He laid Mary down on the tiles and pressed his jacket against her leg.

“It’s okay, Mary. I’ve found help.”

But she only mumbled in reply, her eyes closed and her face drenched in sweat. The blood, having already soaked through the fabric, now pooled onto the floor.

Marcus called again.

“Hello?”

No response.

Then finally, footsteps. A sign of life. Marcus felt a wave of relief.

Until another noise followed, metal against tiles. The dragging of an axe.

Price of Admission

by Michelle Brett

“Shall you give your hand or your eye?”

There was no reply. The stowaway was too fixated on the knife at his throat. His limbs pinned to the deck by the unwashed bodies.

The pirate continued, “You do want to be one of us, don’t you?”

With widened eyes, the stowaway tried to squirm, only to force the blade deeper into his flesh. He begged, “No…”

A snort. The smell of whiskey. The pirate turned to the crowd.

“The eye it shall be.”

Cheers erupted, drowning out the stowaway’s screams. From deep inside the ship, a red hot poker emerged.

YEAR TWO

YEAR THREE

YEAR FOUR