It was six forty-two. The sun was breaking over the horizon, gently illuminating everything in its touch. Nothing was different that morning. At least the sickness had passed, it made it a little easier to forget. On the platform opposite she was there as usual: the serene looking woman with the long red hair, the … Continue reading PLATFORM ANGEL by Veronica Georgina (1st Place, Short July26)

It was a golden autumn morning, and soon their dog would be dead. The sky was summer blue, despite it already being October. The sun shone in through the windows of the veterinary clinic and set everything aflame: the high table in the middle of the room, the computer half asleep in the corner, and … Continue reading A WEAVE OF TIME by Alexander Fagerlund (2nd Place, Short July26)

These three stories received a Special Mention in judging of the July26 quarter of our Short Story Prize. Head Room by Fred Johnson, What A Scream by Carl Hughes, and I Need To Tell You About Arnold by Grant Wandle. Head Room by Fred Jonson I’ve enjoyed my life so far, it’s had its ups … Continue reading SPECIAL MENTIONS – Short Story, Jul26

Mrs Mulhern's telephone rings at her bedside at 11.37 pm. She registers the time as she snaps on the light, glad she wasn't asleep. These days, it takes her a while to collect her thoughts when she wakes, and whoever's calling could ring off— although that might be no bad thing. 'Hello?' She speaks cautiously. … Continue reading A GUTTERING CANDLE by Dianne Bown-Wilson (1st Place, June25)

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your half-hour call.  You have thirty minutes until curtain up, thank you.” As the announcement was made by the theatre manager over the tannoy, the company stage manager Gerry scoured backstage, just the slightest hint of concern starting to edge into her consciousness.  “Has anybody seen Derek?  Derek’s missing.” A … Continue reading BEGINNERS PLEASE by B W Frimston (2nd Place, June25)

My first thought when I woke up was that I was cold. Freezing cold, colder than I had ever been before. You know how the mind tries to make sense of situations that you don’t understand? I spent a long time, or so it seemed, trying to figure out why I felt so bone-chillingly frozen … Continue reading LEAVE TO REMAIN by Ros Levenson (3rd Place, June25)

A pigeon nestles, invisible, on a steel branch behind three security cameras, each angled towards the road. A whirring too slight to disturb the bird emits from the cameras when their data transfers to digital vaults thousands of miles away. While the pigeon slowly preens itself, the cameras, awaiting the afternoon northbound traffic, observe. At … Continue reading OBSERVATION by E J Taylor (1st place, Apr24)

"NOT LIKE THAT, Y’EEJIT!” The bellowing was only half audible in the whistling wind. “Michael! … MICHAEL! … For the love of God will you STOP before you do yourself a mischief!" I jerked back the blowlamp with a curse that my Ma, God rest her, would've clipped my ear for. My workmate pushed up … Continue reading A YEARNING FOR BANANAS by Taria Karillion (2nd place, Apr24)