Rites and Rituals

Father Cooke: Part 6 – Don’t Stop Believing

I sat on the wide ledge looking down at the people walking by on the sidewalk far below. They really did look like ants when viewed from so far away. I hope I don’t land on anyone. That would royally suck, for them. I wasn’t too worried about it because if it did happen, I’d be seconds away from never having to worry about anything ever again.

Father Cooke: Part 6 – Don’t Stop Believing Read More »

The Ceremony

When you are met with the sort of anxiety which, ultimately, is there to make you consider the possibility that your own memory is a lie, it is only natural to face difficulty in recalling even things that happened a short time ago. If I was open to undertaking so thorough an examination of this then I am confident that I would identify a good few reasons for the acute nervousness I feel; even so, it should go without saying that I am not inclined to accept my emotion as fully justified: it undoubtedly rests on some sinister delusion.

The Ceremony Read More »

Between Ice and Stars

The hull of the ship moaned and groaned under the strain of its frozen enclave. HMS Stargazer and its crew had initially set out into the deep unknown to map uncharted territories, but winter descended quickly upon them and they found themselves trapped between stars and ice for months. Supplies were running thin and the captain of the ship, a tall and clean shaven gentleman by the name of Gerald Northington, had assembled groups of hunters to venture out in search of seal meat. The most recent hunting expedition had yet to return and Northington was pacing anxiously up and down his quarters.

Between Ice and Stars Read More »

Father Cooke: Cat’s in the Cradle

Publisher’s Note: This story is a prequel and takes place before all of the previously released Father Cooke and Magister Alexander stories, which you can find here. The author invites you to read the other tales in the series after completing this one. Oh shit, I thought as I walked

Father Cooke: Cat’s in the Cradle Read More »

A Beginner’s Guide to Blood Portals

A few days ago I got a text message from an unknown number reading “I got your proof.” I stared at the words for a bit, thinking it was a wrong number. Then I remembered the last time I’d spoken to Jeremy. Jeremy, my younger cousin, was a character, to

A Beginner’s Guide to Blood Portals Read More »

The Baptism

There’s a small village out in Alabama called Saint’s Glen.  You won’t find it on any map, at least not since 1965. But you can still find the remnants of the town.  If you follow the river southwest of Thomasville, you’ll find it, somewhere in the woods between Jackson and

The Baptism Read More »

The Blooming

“Millie, wake up! Come on, it’s your birthday! Today’s a very special day! You’re 18! Mum’s working so you get to spend the whole day with me. Meet me in the living room when you’re ready!” my sister Elena sings cheerfully at me while shaking my mattress. I get out

The Blooming Read More »

Father Cooke: Part 5 – Burning Down the House

Publisher’s Note: This story is part of the author’s Father Cooke series of interrelated stories. If you enjoy it, the author invites you to click here to read the other tales in the series. “1…2…3…4…5…6…7.” I flicked the light in the bathroom off and then on again seven times, counting every

Father Cooke: Part 5 – Burning Down the House Read More »

I Never Should Have Cured My Tinnitus

Tinnitus: a nightmare of a disease affecting millions of people, myself included. How could I best describe this condition? An incessant, nail on a chalkboard screeching that goes on for every minute of every day. Just imagine never experiencing the true bliss of utter silence. Maybe it’s not too uncommon

I Never Should Have Cured My Tinnitus Read More »

I Know Why My Childhood Friend Disappeared

When I was 7, my best friend was a girl named Ava, who was my neighbor. Ava was a sweet kid; I didn’t realize it at the time, but her home life was pure hell. We would always hear her father screaming and breaking stuff. I was too young to understand

I Know Why My Childhood Friend Disappeared Read More »

Jesus 2.0

This story is part of the author’s Heavensville series of interrelated stories. If you enjoy it, the author invites you to click here to read the other tales in the series. The first thing I noticed about him was his shaggy, champagne-colored hair that reached down to his shoulders and how

Jesus 2.0 Read More »

Father Cooke: Part 4 – Don’t Dream It, Be It

Publisher’s Note: This story is part of the author’s Father Cooke series of interrelated stories. If you enjoy it, the author invites you to click here to read the other tales in the series. “I am a very open minded woman,” I told the two priests sitting across from me, one

Father Cooke: Part 4 – Don’t Dream It, Be It Read More »

Father Cooke: Part 3 – A Holly Jolly Christmas

Publisher’s Note: This story is part of the author’s Father Cooke series of interrelated stories. If you enjoy it, the author invites you to click here to read the other tales in the series. “If you are going to keep me tied to this chair, at least give me the dignity

Father Cooke: Part 3 – A Holly Jolly Christmas Read More »

Father Cooke: Part 2 – I Want to Hold Your Hand

Publisher’s Note: This story is part of the author’s Father Cooke series of interrelated stories. If you enjoy it, the author invites you to click here to read the other tales in the series. Magister Alexander laughed at me. “This never gets old.” He picked up the pages I had printed

Father Cooke: Part 2 – I Want to Hold Your Hand Read More »

Father Cooke: Part 1 – Why Do Fools Fall In Love

Publisher’s Note: This story is part of the author’s Father Cooke series of interrelated stories. If you enjoy it, the author invites you to click here to read the other tales in the series. “Please let me out,” my son David pleaded with me. “I promise I’ll behave.” “You know I

Father Cooke: Part 1 – Why Do Fools Fall In Love Read More »

I Found a Forum for Dead People

It’s a tale as old as the internet itself. You’re killing your boredom by browsing the net. Mindlessly scrolling through pictures and reading through forums.One click leads to another, and before you know it you’ve tripped and fallen down the rabbit hole to the weirder parts of the internet. Now,

I Found a Forum for Dead People Read More »

Heavensville

This story is part of the author’s Heavensville series of interrelated stories. If you enjoy it, the author invites you to click here to read the other tales in the series. Heavensville was stunning to look at, with tall and lush trees lining the sidewalks, beautiful forests and lakes surrounding almost

Heavensville Read More »

Scroll to Top