Unexpected Trip

 Was it a dream or did she travel through time?

Pompeii

“Valeria . . . Valeria, can you hear me?” a strange voice echoed as the young woman struggled to open her eyes seeing two tall young girls possibly in their late teens dressed in white togas at her side. “She’s coming to,” said one of the girls.

“Where . . . where am I?”

“You are in the House of the Vestals, my dear. You passed out a short time ago as you were working out in the garden on your jug and hit your head on one of the pedestals. You know you were told to avoid being in the sun too long with your fair skin,” the first girl spoke.

“And who are you?”

Both girls looked at each other quizzically.

“I am Dalanya and this is Catania, your Vestal Sisters.” Dalanya took her hand and helped Valeria to sit up on the cot.

“I don’t remember any of this I tell you, the young woman claimed as she glanced around at her surroundings. Her eyes scanned the area that revealed tall pillars and large marble statues that led out to a massive courtyard with a huge fountain. “This has to be a dream! I mean—”

“Catania has sent for the Medicus. He should be here shortly,” Dalanya said as she laid her hand on the woman’s shoulder. “He’ll know what to do.”

An older man dressed in multicolored robes carrying a large satchel approached from the outside patio entering the small chamber. He had instructed Dalanya and Catania to inform him as to what had occurred.

“I know this young lady. She has simply fainted. I have treated her before for a similar condition. A vial of Posca is all she needs. She gets dehydrated easily. He pulled a small vial from his satchel and instructed her to drink, which she did.

She wiped her lips after chugging down the entire contents of the vial and gave the Medicus a skeptical look. “Exactly what’s in that?” She scrunched up her nose showing her distaste for the drink.

“It’s a mixture of vinegar, water, and herbs,” he said.

“My name is Ramethius, the Medicus and I believe you may also have a slight concussion from hitting your head.”

“Oh,” the woman uttered as he checked her eyes and head using a strange instrument from his bag that managed to clamp open her eyes.

“Her pupils are not dilated but she still may have a slight concussion,” he announced as he turned to the girls. “Best to keep an eye on her the rest of the day. Make sure you don’t let her sleep.”

“Why can’t she remember who she is? Dalanya asked.

“Well, she’s one of the oldest Vestals here, I mean—” Catania added. “Could be her age.”

“It may be a temporary case of amnesia. It should return in time,” Ramethius said as he secured his bag. “Now I must go as I’m needed at the House of Faun.”

Both Dalanya and Catania sat next to Valeria giving her words of comfort but most of all encouraging her to rest.

“Your artwork can wait, Sister,” Dalanya said, taking her hand. “You heard what the Medicus said.

“Rest . . . rest! I can’t rest!” She shot up. “I have to finish my piece for the art show for Aulius Restituto. It will be featured among some of the other fine pieces here in Pompeii then grace the main hall of the house of Vetti.”

The girls both looked at each other astounded. “Well then, I guess her amnesia has instantly returned,” Dalanya said.

“It was probably the mention of artwork that brought her back,” Catania said. “We both know how obsessive she is about that show she keeps talking about.”

Valeria tried to rise from her cot but both girls gently pushed her back to a lying position. “You will rest here for a few hours.”

Valeria reasoned she had to agree to the girls’ wishes but knew once they were out of sight, she’d plan to get back to painting her jug.

She watched the girls walk through the archway that led out to the lush gardens. I can only hope to see my beloved Marcus. I know he will be working in the kitchens today at the Vetti House. I long to feel his strong arms around me again. We’ve managed to keep this secret for some time now. Should we be caught- I’d be banned from the House of Vestals and he being a slave would be sentenced to death!

Valeria felt a slight dizziness sensation overtake her and decided to sit for a while until it had passed. I’ve got to finish that jug. Tomorrow is the show and I’ll crawl if I have to get it over there. She fiddled with her long black braid that hung to one side over her shoulder making sure the gold threads were securely in place that were weaved into the braid. A Vestal always had to look her best whenever she was out in the public eye.

“We both know what she’s up to,” Dalanya said as she and Catania walked through the garden.

“You mean that slave, Marcus that works over at the Vetti House?”

“Yes, Rumor has it she’s been sneaking off to see him.”

“It’s true, and if she’s caught, we both know the consequences both of them will face,” Dalanya said as she bent down to smell the flowery scent of a hearty lilac bush.

“You going to tell on her?” Catania asked.”

“No. I don’t think we need to be known as spies here. Besides she is close to being released from her service very soon. She can be with Marcus all she wants then.”

The ground shook with tremors and some of the larger garden pots had moved.

“Not that again!” Catania shouted. “This is the second time this week it’s happened.”

“Not to worry, it’s very common as you well know, Dalanya said trying to calm her friend.  That volcano has to release the pressure now and then, my friend. Now let’s head over to the Temple of Isis and make sure all is well over there.”

Valeria also felt the tremors as she tried to gain some steadiness to stand. “Great! Just what I need now,” she murmured.

Continue reading the story in the book:

https://books2read.com/u/m27NQd

What if you think the known world isn’t strange enough? Embark on a journey that pushes the boundaries, challenges your perception, and questions reason, logic, and established beliefs.

Book Sunday

 Enjoy today's selection

In online bookstores, readers often discover new books by browsing the bestselling titles in their desired genre. However, popularity does not always equate to quality. Countless hidden gems may not receive as much promotion but offer incredible stories that deserve recognition and readership.

Watch this short video.

Lorraine Carey and Erika M Szabo discuss how readers' preferences have changed since the internet provides a wide variety of entertainment.

About The Seven Cozy Shorts

Cozy bedtime stories for grownups

Erika said, "I categorize these stories as cozy because the reader can finish a story in one sitting, usually, it takes from an hour to an hour and a half to read a story. When you have a family to take care of and a job to get up early, these shorter novellas are perfect to cozy up in bed with and finish a story before falling asleep. The stories are not overwhelmingly long, and the readers are introduced to fewer characters and places than in long novels, so you don’t need to memorize so many names. The scenes and characters are not described in minute details, just enough to create a quick mental picture of the people and place where things happen."

The stories in the book:

Ancient ghost:

Thousands of years ago Tanakhmet cursed Prince Akhmose to never enter the heavenly paradise. But after Layla breaks the curse, does he really want to?

Mysterious omen:

Lauren has everything she’d ever wished for. When her Raven spirit guide warns her of impending danger, she knows her life is in danger. Who wants her dead and why?

Jealous acolyte:

A potion made with haste out of jealousy puts Dorian into a coma. The rare orchid that could save his life is fiercely guarded by werewolves in the forbidden forest. Will they succeed in saving his life?

Christmas magic:

Elana’s life was a revolving door of shattered hopes and disappointments. Until she met Luca. Allowing them only a short time of happiness, cruel fate tore them apart. Will they meet again?

Small town mystery:

The snobbish new owner of the Couture mansion brings a worthless painting into Danielle’s antique shop and the town’s future is threatened by the plans of the ruthless, rich owner. Is the painting truly worth nothing or...

Soulmates across time:

Caleb lost his soulmate, Valerie. Can he find her in a parallel universe? If his father succeeds in opening the portal, will he find the same person or a stranger in the alternate universe?

Love conquers fear:

People are not perfect, and we all come with baggage. They might show a picture-perfect family life but hide the struggles, heartache, compromises, and sacrifices they made to get there.

Lisa

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing short stories!

Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2022

Ancient Ghost is my favorite but they are all great. This is an awesome anthology of adult bedtime stories.

Find the eBook, print, or audiobook in your favorite STORE

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The stories are also available separately in eBooks

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Audiobook reviews:

5 out of 5 stars

• Cindy J. Smith
• 05-17-21

Beautiful stories perfectly narrated
I enjoyed each of the stories. Erika created believable characters and situations. Pat Mahoney's narration was excellent. I was impressed by his range as he change his voice between characters. His music also enhanced the listening experience without detracting from the stories themselves.
    
5 out of 5 stars

• Chris S
• 08-05-21

Great audiobook!
I enjoyed this audiobook very much. The stories by Erika Szabo were well written and engaging. The narration by Pat Mahoney brought all the characters to life. The music added to the enjoyment of the stories. Highly recommended!
    
5 out of 5 stars

• Blackeagle
• 06-13-21

Intense Cozy Shorts
These cozy mysteries went from absolutely creepy to seriously intense and I loved every moment of it. The stories are well written, entertaining and full of intricate twist that make you want to keep listening. The cozy shorts are different and some are quite unique. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries that range from the paranormal to second chances. This is my honest unbiased review.

5 out of 5 stars

• Daisy
• 06-11-21
• 
  
  Fantastic stories I loved listening to this audiobook. The stories were great and the narrator did a wonderful job. He is very talented and the music and voices he did made this a fantastic listen.

Erika M Szabo

https://authorerikamszabo.com

Erika loves to dance to her own tunes and follow her dreams, introducing her story-writing skills and her books that are based on creative imagination with themes such as magical realism, alternate history, urban fantasy, cozy mystery, sweet romance, and supernatural stories. Her children’s stories are informative, and educational, and deliver moral values in a non-preachy way.

Malevolent Mermaid of the Caribbean

 Santianna will take your soul

The Inspiration:

Many legends come out of the Caribbean, with many that still believe in spirits, evil mermaids, voodoo, and other local tales. Living on the island of Grand Cayman for nine years, I have heard many of these, which sparked my interest, and most of all, listening firsthand about a paranormal experience from a woman who was renting a condo in the same complex my husband and I had rented for a year.

Not many would listen to her accounts of a strange entity taking possession of her body and soul. She found me, and I was one she seemed to trust. I had made recordings of her incidents and many notes, knowing that I would someday write a story that had been based on some of these accounts.

Santianna:

This exotic beauty is a legend among the people of Jamaica and the Caymans, yet some would only get to know her when they were fighting for their lives or happened to be victims of her next feeding.

Having been scorned many years ago by her fiancé, a seaman who jilted her, Santianna threw herself into the sea but was rescued by a family of Mer People who saved her life only to transform her into an evil mermaid who would become immortal by taking the souls of males. Right after Hurricane Ivan hit Grand Cayman in 2004, the waters unearthed her presence, and with her powers intensified, she set her sights on a small resort on the east end of Grand Cayman.

The Rescue of Tessa Malone:

Tessa and her husband had booked a suite at Paradise Palms in Grand Cayman for their honeymoon and were snorkeling out by the reef when Tessa lost sight of her husband and hit her head on the reef. Beginning to drown, she found herself being saved by Santianna—or at least she thought she was.

An Excerpt from Night Mistress of Paradise Palms:

She could see a faint white mist in the distance and feel a slight breeze picking up. Hearing what sounded like someone humming a tune caused her to muster enough energy to raise her head to see if it was a storm. The white mist took on the form of a waterspout and moved at a steady speed toward her. The humming became clearer but was subtle—one that reminded her of a lullaby she remembered hearing when she was a child. As the mist came closer, Tessa could see it emerge into the transparent form of a woman encased in a golden aura. “Don’t fear my lady. I am here to save you.” The apparition seemed to float on the water as she was now about two feet from Tessa.

“Who... who are you?”

“I am Santianna,” answered the apparition. I was in the water when your husband drowned you.” Her body wavered as she spoke, her long dark locks moved like serpentine snakes in the breeze. “I’m so sorry what happened to you.”

“No! He couldn’t! Not my Joe! And why didn’t you try to save me if you were there?”

“I could not. I couldn’t change your destiny, my dear. All I can do is promise to keep your spirit alive until you have found a way to cross over. You have unfinished business here; your life was taken too soon.”

“Are you an angel?” Tessa asked.

“You may have heard of me. I’m more of an enigma. I am a Sea Goddess. I hail from Jamaica. It’s been eons ago that I was murdered in these same waters, by a man, whom I thought loved me too. Now I help souls in need who meet an untimely death. I’m not sure you’ve heard the legends.”

Santianna positioned herself next to Tessa. Her body had now solidified into a full female figure, but one far from normal. Her bluish skin and radiant golden eyes belonged to that of a creature not of this earthly realm. Santianna moved her long slender hands over Tessa’s body while golden sparks shot off from her heavy bronze cuff bracelets on each arm. She hummed that same calming tune Tessa was familiar with. It was haunting, yet comforting. “You should be feeling the vibrations now, my lady. Relax, and let them come. Accept this gift.”

Tessa was too weak yet to comment but closed her eyes and succumbed to Santianna’s commands. What felt like piercing needles under her skin soon turned to a radiant heat that ran from her head down through her toes. Her pale skin began to take on some color. She found herself strong enough to sit up fully, taking in more of her surroundings and trying to comprehend what was happening. She glared at this apparition trying to figure out what kind of spirit she was. “You... you are doing this for me because...”

“Because I have been wronged long ago, just as you have my dear. You will join me in reclaiming justice.”

“But if I’m dead, I want to cross over! When will that be?” Tessa locked eyes with Santianna. Her mind was still a blur over what had happened.

“Once you have captured the souls of seven males. This will be your fuel to enable you to pass on. During that time, you will be bound to this area and will cleanse this place of years of wrongdoings. It’s the only way.”

“But if I’m dead, I want to cross over! When will that be?” Tessa locked eyes with Santianna. Her mind was still a blur over what had happened.

“Once you have captured the souls of seven males. This will be your fuel to enable you to pass on. During that time, you will be bound to this area and will cleanse this place of years of wrongdoings. It’s the only way.”

Tessa gave Santianna an incredulous look. “Just how long will that take?”

“It’s up to you. There are many guests at the Trade Winds. You can steal one each night or take as long as you need.”

“And how do I go about this?”

“It will come naturally. You are now in spirit form and a sexual enchantress. Your victims will view you as a transparent being whom

they will desire to have their bodies ravished. You will find this to be rejuvenating for you. With each soul capture, you will gain more strength which will help you cross over more easily. Your power has been gifted through me.”

“And what about Joe? He needs to suffer. What will happen to him?” Tessa voiced concern.

“That my dear will be taken care of. Justice will come, trust me.”

“So, I’ll remain out here at sea for all this time?”

“Yes, just as foam on the water until darkness falls and you will find your nourishment in the night off a living male. You will come to enjoy it—you will see.”

“And where shall you be? Will I see you again?”

“I will be here, but you will not see me until your journey is done. I’ll be the one who will be escorting you to the other side. Until then, my sister, find solace in the sleep you so need to begin your journey. Praise be the goddess!”

Read this story in its entirety in the Supernatural Thriller Night Mistress of Paradise Palms. Available in eBook and print.

READ NOW

That long-awaited tropical vacation may hold a few extra surprises you never expected!

A page-turner Supernatural Tale that is richly woven with local legends, mysterious happenings, heated love scenes, and non-stop action.

What could be better than a holiday on tropical Grand Cayman Island at a Five-Star resort?

There are beach parties, cocktails, and local food to delight your senses, but you better be on your guard when the sun goes down.

A young bride's ghost is under the spell of a malevolent Sea Enchantress, whose spirit lurks in the waters, demanding the price for crossing over. The locals fear the Night Mistress, but there are always new guests who are unknowingly at risk of becoming her next victim.

There's always a vacancy at Paradise Palms-and for good reason.

Poetry Day

Coyote Morning 

Coyote Morning

By Robert Allen Lupton

Coyote stands on broken sidewalk

watching weeds where children played.

Sensing movement among broken toys,

his nose twitches,

his ears perk,

his eyes focus.

A doll shifts,

her hair tangled, her dress tattered.

Her eyes don’t blink.

No cry of protest when she’s shoved akimbo

against a battered bicycle seat.

A furry nose pokes above

the feral profusion of abandoned lawn.

The coyote tenses.

He freezes.

He watches.

He waits.

Eyes follow his questing nose.

A rabbit looks above rusted spokes

seeking food and safety.

He finds neither.

The coyote pounces.

The rabbit squirms.

The coyote snaps.

Spits a mouthful of fur.

Stares at the hole under the bicycle,

sniffs the doll

and walks away.

He licks his lips.

Tomorrow.

He’ll feed tomorrow.

With no more people, all the tomorrows are his.

Robert Allen Lupton

https://robertallenlupton.blogspot.com

Robert Allen Lupton is retired and lives in New Mexico. He has three novels, seven short story collections and three edited anthologies available in print and audio versions. Over 2000 of his Edgar Rice Burroughs themed drabbles and articles are located on erbzine.com

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Be Our Guest

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We welcome stories from published and aspiring authors

If interested, send us a message on the

GBBPub WEBSITE

 

Animals Forced to Perform

The lives of animal performers

My heart aches whenever I come across videos of dogs being forced to walk on their hind legs wearing tutus. The terror in their eyes is evident, a reflection of the fear instilled by their abusers. I cannot help but speak out in the comments against such cruelty, "Why are you torturing that poor animal? For likes on your video?" These poor dogs are manipulated and subjected to abuse; they're forced to perform an unnatural act. Their bones and muscles are not built for this kind of movement, causing them great discomfort.

Take a moment to visualize being forced to run on all fours with your legs completely straight, unable to bend them. The thought of being beaten if you didn't comply adds to the discomfort and pain. Now imagine how uncomfortable and painful it must be for four-legged animals when they are forced to walk on two legs.

The sight always brings back memories of the first and last time my parents took me to the circus. I was young and innocent, but even then, I could see the fear in the majestic lion's eyes as he was forced to leap through a blazing hoop. I cried in disgust and anger as I turned to my father and asked him, "Why is the lion so afraid of that man? He could kill him with one swipe of his paw." My dad explained how the animals are trained to perform, and we left. After that experience, my parents never took me to the circus again.

Utilizing animals for entertainment purposes entails immense cruelty. These creatures do not possess the innate ability to ride bicycles, balance on their heads, or leap through hoops of flames. Traditional methods of training circus animals involve physical abuse and punishment. Animals are repeatedly beaten, shocked, and whipped to perform tricks that are unnatural and beyond their physical abilities.

The lives of animal performers are filled with suffering and humiliation. Constant travel, confinement, and torture to perform tricks strip wild animals of any chance to fulfill their natural physical, behavioral, and emotional needs. Their existence behind the scenes is mistreatment and abuse.

I'm not referring to the positive reinforcement techniques used to train service animals. You see a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment when you gaze into their eyes. These animals understand the significance of their role and take pride in performing it well. The trainers use positive rewarding methods and patiently wait for the animals to learn and understand what is expected of them. Also, the trainers never force them to do anything that is physically against their comfortable, natural movements.

Also, animals shouldn't be treated like accessories. A cute puppy toted in a purse and dressed in human attire is a sentient being with the capacity to live, breathe, and feel. Treat animals as close to their nature as possible.

 

Animals, including birds, cats, pigs, and especially dogs, have a natural desire to please their favorite humans and will often create tasks for themselves. Also, they can be natural clowns to amuse themselves or do something naughty to test the boundaries.

We had a Kuvasz mix who would wait at the gate each day for the postman, take the newspaper from him, and bring it into the kitchen. We never trained or commanded him to do so. The first time he brought the newspaper in, my dad patted him on the head, told him he was a good boy, and rewarded him with a chicken leg. From then on, our dog seemed to take his job of fetching the newspaper very seriously and happily did it every day.

When a pesky fly found its way into the house, my cat, Mirci, watched me as I tried to swat it away. But when the fly got too close to her, she sprang into action, capturing it with her sharp claws and ending its life with precision. She then presented me with the deceased insect on my lap, looking up at me for praise. I couldn't help but praise her for her hunting skills. After that day, no fly stood a chance against her keen instincts and lightning-fast reflexes. Although I wasn't thrilled about the occasional dead mouse or frog she left on the doormat as a present, I couldn't stay mad at her when she looked up at me with such pride and happiness. So, I learned to tolerate her hunting expeditions and thanked her for the "presents" she brought me.

Our funniest dog was a small, nimble mutt named George. Thanks to our spacious, enclosed yard, we rarely took him for walks; he had plenty of room to run and play as he pleased. Unfortunately for our cat, George's mischievously playful nature often led him to invent new games that irritated her. George despised bath time and getting his paws wet in the snow, but he still braved the outdoors to do his business. One day, he realized that if he lifted his hind legs and balanced on his front paws, his hind legs would stay dry. It was a comical sight until he started relieving himself and accidentally drenched the white hair on his chest and chin instead of painting the snow yellow. That day, he gladly let me put him in the tub without any complaints.

What is your opinion about using animals for entertainment?

Erika M Szabo

https://authorerikamszabo.com

Erika loves to dance to her own tunes and follow her dreams, introducing her story-writing skills and her books that are based on creative imagination with themes such as magical realism, alternate history, urban fantasy, cozy mystery, sweet romance, and supernatural stories. Her children’s stories are informative, and educational, and deliver moral values in a non-preachy way.

Our Guest Author Today is Ginger Strivelli

 We were together

“We were together. We were home. We were in our world whirling through our universe. It was a perfectly common day. We were in our right timeline and in our right dimension. We were living. Everything around us was normal. Nothing was amiss. We received no warning that it was all about to go badly amiss.

At first, we didn’t realize we were being dragged somewhere else, somewhere not normal. We just suddenly felt hot. Our planet is always cool. We have not traveled to other planets in our universe. We did not know if we had been teleported to some other planet that was hot. We wondered if we stumbled into some time portal and had traveled not to another planet but to the prehistoric past of our own planet, which was thought to have been much warmer many millennia ago.

However, we have not been taken to another planet in our universe or to another time on our planet. We hadn’t even been taken to some parallel universe as the place we found ourselves was too unlike our universe to be at all parallel. It was paranormal. It was totally unfathomable. We just knew we had to have been spirited away to some wholly different dimension.

We came to this dimension as one. We were all one being just as we were at home. When we arrived, we did not yet know the horror of this dimension’s beings’ having singular existences. We learned that fright when we were moved from the heated entry point by the hands of two different mythical beings. Two plural beings! At their touch, we instantly telepathically understood that the creatures of this dimension are all different. They are separate, somehow. They are alone and apart! We were terrified when we learned of this supernatural affliction. If given more time we would have pondered how they managed such an unimaginable fate. We would have come to feel sorry for them if we’d had a little time. We did not have that much time though to think.

These monstrous creatures loomed over us, huge and round. They looked down upon us with these expressions of happiness or madness, we couldn’t tell which. We didn’t know what they had planned for us as they picked us up in their fleshy limp hands and put us on cold stone. Our warmth started to leak away at once. We were glad because of that. We were not used to being warm. It might have killed us, we had thought when we were in the warm place. We were mighty relieved to be removed, even by the monsters but only for a few precious moments.

We calmed as we cooled but then began to contemplate what the monsters had brought us to their sickly twisted dimension for. What would become of us? Would we become different entities like the monsters were? Would we any moment be jerked back to our own dimension? We prayed to our descendants that we would be taken back home as suddenly as we had been ripped from there. We simply could not take any more fear of this strange place and its stranger multiple beings.

Just like our random instantaneous arrival into this dimension, suddenly our nightmare took an evil turn. Our worry and fear was replaced with sheer terror of a fiendish kind! We experienced the most sinister sensation. It took us a moment to figure out what had happened to us. Part of us was suddenly just gone. Part of us was dead but not ascended. Part of us was nowhere, not back home, not in the afterlife, not elsewhere, but nowhere. Nothing like that had ever happened to us in our dimension. We had no understanding of such bizarre magic or science. How could such a thing even be possible, even in this different dimension? We were so shocked we stopped communicating and just screamed inconsolably in discordant harmony.”

***

“Grandmother, can I have more?” Luna asked as sweetly as the cookie she had just eaten. “They are such whittle bitty gingerbread men.”

“How can Grandmother say no to your whittle bitty face!” Violet said to her granddaughter. “You can have two more, right now my sassafras! I’ll make us some hot chocolate and we will watch the movie about Santa Claus and his reindeer while we eat them all. I can’t wait. When I was a little girl just like you, my grandmother made gingerbread men for me and her to eat while we watched it.”

***

“Our screams all stopped in a speechless stupor as it happened again...and again! We clung to ourselves, what was left of ourselves. We had a flash of a thought of trying to figure out a way to make it stop but it was hopeless. We had no idea why, how, or what was happening to us. We had no chance of stopping what we did not even know.

***

“Grandmother?” Luna called from the couch as she precariously balanced the plate full of gingerbread man cookies. “Hurry, it is about to start!”

Violet rushed from the kitchen herself balancing two cups of steaming hot chocolate. “I’m here, my sassafras. Oh, no I forgot the marshmallows!” She sat the cups on the coffee table and ran back to the kitchen.

“Grandmother! Can I have a cinnamon stick to stir my hot chocolate with, like you use?”

“Sure, my sassafras!” Violet came leaping back onto the couch beside her granddaughter just as the toothpaste commercial ended and the movie started. She put marshmallows and cinnamon sticks in their cups. She hugged her granddaughter as she bit a head off one of the gingerbread men and handed another one to Luna. Luna copied her grandmother’s beheading bite, giggling.

***

“Oh, how we were panicking as again and again parts of us just vanished, gone from all time, all space, and all dimensions. We tried to discuss our doomed fate. We tried to bemoan how we had lost all hope. Nevertheless, we could only wail and sob. It was unreal. We still didn’t understand what was happening to us, but it kept happening and happening until there was nothing of us left. We were together but gone.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ginger-Strivelli/author/B0BKY39Z48

Ginger Strivelli is an artist and writer from North Carolina. She has written for Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine, Circle Magazine, Third Flatiron, Autism Parenting Magazine, Silver Blade, Cabinet of Heed Literary Journal, The New Accelerator, and various other publications for thirty years. She loves to travel the world and make arts and crafts. She considers herself a storyteller entertaining and educating through her writing.

Midnight Murder

 Emma's trust in her psychic ability solidifies

Emma finished her patient notes and gave her report to the evening shift nurse before changing clothes and rushing to the garage. For once, she would be able to leave work on time. She thought back to days when she had to pull double shifts or when the chaos of the ER made it nearly impossible to finish her paperwork in a timely fashion. As she drove home, Emma called her husband.

“Are you working overtime again?” Paul asked with a laugh.

“No, for once I'll even have time to cook dinner,” Emma replied.

“Wow, that's rare,” Paul chuckled, knowing how often he had to work late at his law firm and rarely had time to finish his work before 5 pm. “Do you mind if I invite Steve over for dinner? He has an investment proposal and I'd rather discuss it at home than in the office.”

“Of course, darling,” Emma said with a bright, cheery tone. “Then I'll defrost the lasagna and take out the German cherry cake from the freezer that I picked up last week. It will give me time to tidy up before you arrive home.”

“That sounds perfect, sweetheart! We'll be home by six.”

On her way home, Emma couldn't resist stopping at a charming farmstand she passed by. She carefully selected fresh lettuce, crisp radishes, juicy tomatoes, and crunchy cucumbers to create a delicious salad.

As the food thawed, Emma tackled some light cleaning tasks around the house. She ran the vacuum over the carpets, dusted the surfaces, and even managed to squeeze in a quick shower before five o'clock rolled around. As she dried her hair, she tried to recall Steve's face. She had only met Paul's business manager once at a party nearly a year ago, and their exchange was brief and polite. Despite not knowing much about him, he seemed like a decent person and Paul had never said anything negative about him. The firm was successful and catered to affluent clients, a fact that Emma knew from casual conversations with her husband. Curiosity piqued as she wondered what kind of proposal Steve might have in store for them. Since their marriage three years ago, Emma made a conscious effort not to pry into Paul's work life and only knew snippets of information that he shared with her voluntarily.

Shortly after six, they arrived, but as soon as she looked at her husband’s face, Emma knew something was wrong. The slight frown on his handsome features was a rare display of emotion for him, but Emma had learned to read his subtle signs over the years. His tense posture and the way he shot a quick glance at their guest, Steve, told her that something was very wrong. She raised her eyebrows in question but remained quiet and followed Paul's lead as they ushered Steve into the living room.

Paul expertly mixed cocktails for them all, but Emma could sense the tension in the air. As they sat down, Paul turned to Steve with a calm yet controlled demeanor. “Before you tell me about your investment plans, let me ask you something,” he said in a low voice.

Emma watched with growing alarm as her husband's jaw tightened, signaling his underlying anger. She couldn't imagine what would come next. It must be something very serious. She thought. Otherwise, he would talk about business after dinner, as he usually does.

“Tell me about the two hundred thousand dollars,” Paul's voice rose slightly, revealing his true emotions towards their guest.

Steve's hand shook and he jolted in his seat, spilling a few drops of his drink onto his lap. His eyes widened in surprise as Paul confronted him about missing money.

“Why are you asking me?” Steve stammered, trying to compose himself.

“Because the accountant called me just before we left to ask about one of our bank accounts,” Paul explained. “He said he couldn't find the statement for the interest we had been paid on that account. I didn't want to cause a scene in the office, so I'm asking you now. Where is the money?”

“I had nothing to do with it!” Steve exclaimed, his face turning red with anger as he stood up. “Are you accusing me of something?”

“Yes!” Paul fumed, his frustration evident. “I checked with the bank, and they informed me that the account we had 210 thousand dollars in now only has eight thousand. What did you do with the missing money?”

“I… I’m leaving! You can’t just accuse me of something I didn’t do,” Steve mumbled, putting his glass on the coffee table.

“You’re not going anywhere until you answer my question!”

Paul's voice echoed through the room, loud and forceful as he jumped up to block Steve's path toward the door. Emma shrunk back into the far corner of the sofa, her heart racing as she watched them. Paul, usually calm and collected, now had a fiery rage burning in his eyes. She had never seen him like this before.

Steve looked like a cornered animal, his hands shaking, and his face twisted in fear. “Okay, I gamble, and I've been unlucky the past three months! I'm an addict. I'm sick!” he screamed; desperation evident in his voice. “I'll pay it back, just give me a chance.”

Paul's voice cracked with pain as he spoke. “How could you do this? I trusted you!”

“I'm so sorry! You have to understand. It's a disease!” Steve pleaded, tears streaming down his face.

But Paul was unfazed. “You played your card, now you suffer the consequences. You're fired!” He stepped aside to let Steve pass. “And you’ll have to pay back the money you stole,” Paul said coldly.

Panic set in for Steve as he realized what that meant. Desperation swept over him as he begged, “You can't! Please, you can't do this to me.”

Paul's face hardened, his once friendly features now twisted into a cold, angry mask. “You did this to yourself. Now get out of my house!”

Steve recoiled at the sharpness in Paul's voice, feeling a surge of pain and anger bubbling up inside him. He looked into Paul's eyes, but all he could see was disappointment and hurt. With drooping shoulders and a defeated expression, he turned and made his way to the door, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the tense silence between them.

“I trusted him,” Paul whispered when the door closed behind Steve, his voice hoarse and heavy with emotion. He slumped down beside Emma, his shoulders shaking with the weight of betrayal.

Continue reading the story in the book:

https://books2read.com/u/m27NQd

What if you think the known world isn’t strange enough? Embark on a journey that pushes the boundaries, challenges your perception, and questions reason, logic, and established beliefs.

Book Sunday

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