Bryan Burden
Bio
Having fun with life in general. Whatever comes to mind at any time. Getting more active again after long layoff. Acta Non Verba I wrote in 2006. Usually ANB has a number label on them. In order
Stories (13)
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Swamp Gas
Winding through the back roads heading to the address he had been given Jim thought of the many times he had crossed through these parts. Several times he had been looking for a couple of kids out joyriding. Once finding a lost dog reported by the locals was his main objective. Mainly though he remembered the area from when he was a teenager looking for trouble on those hot summer nights that South Carolina is famous for. You could get lost out here easily among the old magnolia and pine trees which seemed to be everywhere. The new housing going up so rapidly throughout the town had not yet pushed its way to this part of the county. An occasional trailer home dotted every half mile or so along the way but overall it was just as it was fifteen years ago when he first passed through. In one spot he saw a couple of kids playing in some brackish looking water along the edge of the road, yet a quiet restlessness seemed to dictate the rest of the surroundings more then anything else.
By Bryan Burden3 years ago in Fiction
Trapped In The Heavens
What a view, what a view, what a view! That is all I could think as the scenery passed slowly beneath me. A mesmerizing view every human being should encounter! The simple yet breathtaking scenery unfolding beneath my feet was nothing short of awe-inspiring. As I gazed out at the vast expanse of nature, I couldn't help but be overcome with a sense of pure wonder and amazement. The sun-kissed colors of fall were delicately speckled across the treetops, creating a stunning mosaic of crimson and gold that seemed to stretch out to the very horizon. And down below, nestled within the depths of the valleys, a thin veil of mist hovered like a gentle shroud, adding an ethereal quality to the already mystical landscape.
By Bryan Burden3 years ago in Fiction
Trapped In The Heavens
What a view, what a view, what a view! That is all I could think as the scenery passed slowly beneath me. A mesmerizing view every human being should encounter! The simple yet breathtaking scenery unfolding beneath my feet was nothing short of awe-inspiring. As I gazed out at the vast expanse of nature, I couldn't help but be overcome with a sense of pure wonder and amazement. The sun-kissed colors of fall were delicately speckled across the treetops, creating a stunning mosaic of crimson and gold that seemed to stretch out to the very horizon. And down below, nestled within the depths of the valleys, a thin veil of mist hovered like a gentle shroud, adding an ethereal quality to the already mystical landscape.
By Bryan Burden3 years ago in Fiction
Talk the Talk
“Get out. Get out of my office know. Get out of my office before I have you chopped off at the knees.” Was the bellowing sound of the chief coming from his office. Then the sound of papers rustling could be heard followed closely by a quickly moving Big Willy. Ducking a pencil as he exited the chief’s office he slid around the corner. Moving at Star Trek warp speed he moved into the room and then out of breath he flung him self into the nearest chair as everyone else watched in amazement.
By Bryan Burden3 years ago in Fiction
Dinner for Two
Dinner was something Beth and Jim had planned to do earlier that week. It was just supposed to be a simple dinner at their favorite place. A quiet little Italian restaurant on the out skirts of town, planning the rest of the details of their wedding and enjoying the evening with each other away from the worries of the work day. But Jim had called and said something had come up and he would not be able to make it. After some lengthy powers of persuasion Beth was able to get Jim to come to dinner despite the happenings. There was too much on her mind to call off dinner no matter what Jim had going in his work life. A little veil parmesan and a smile from his future wife would brighten his day she thought.
By Bryan Burden3 years ago in Fiction
Acta Non Verba
SEVEN It had been just two days since all the hustle and bustle accompanied by media hype had happened in the Goose Creek Police Department. A quiet demeanor had again overcome the office with little or no problems to be seen. A few people moved about the office doing menial small tasks including Debbie the Chief’s secretary.
By Bryan Burden4 years ago in Fiction
Acta Non Verba
SIX Needing a ride Beth had called Jim to come and get her, but he was on his way to a press conference and couldn’t. So, she fell back to her mamma for a ride to her interview. But her mom couldn’t make it until after noon so she had had to call the interviewer who seemed to understand and pushed back her appointment until three that afternoon. By the time Beth’s mom arrived, the rain had stopped and the sun had come out. Beth loved the sun it kept her warm and put a smile on her face. When the sun was out, she was eager to get things done. Loaded with plenty of energy and not near enough time to get things done. It disappointed her sometimes when it was sunny and hot but Jim didn’t want to do anything because he was to hot and complained of fatigue from the sun. She had thought at times there might be something wrong with him, but he just said it was the heat and it was nothing to worry about. Many folks say opposites attract, and in this case the two of them couldn’t be any farther apart. One hot, one cold makes for an icy hot relationship. It also means someone is always annoyed by how their body feels.
By Bryan Burden4 years ago in Fiction
ACTA NON VERBA
Laying up on a Par Five FIVE The press conference was anti climatic as far as Jim and Bill were concerned. The last question though was a ponente one. A reporter asked why Jim thought the little girl was able to make the leap to their waiting arms. Jim replied, “You know I am not really positive on that one. But one thing is for sure, her faith in Jesus Christ gave her the power to step to the edge and make a.” He paused for a moment then said. “Make that faithful leap. A leap I think many people may have not been able to do. As far as I am concerned, she is the hero here. She is the one who put her trust in God to save her. And he came through. Bill and I are thankful just to be there for her.” With that both men turned and walked from the podium towards the parking lot. As they walked out to their cars, Bill had asked Jim if he wanted to play some golf. The rain had stopped and the sun was shining. Jim thought it was a great idea and the two of them headed out to the golf course for some relaxation on their day off. Believing anytime he was on a golf course was better than almost any other time in his life, Jim agreed to play.
By Bryan Burden4 years ago in Fiction
Chief Kramer Sets The Tone
FOUR The small- town police department seemed to be in a buzz for so early in the morning. Generally, not much happened news wise in this quiet, but up-scale small town just north of Charleston. But today was different. Phones were ringing and people shuffling about in a hurry. Two of their own had hit the streets last night and had saved a young girl from an inferno that promised certain death. Now a press conference was scheduled for noon and reporters had already begun to arrive despite it only being ten thirty. From the small room in the far back of the building Chief Kramer yelled out his office door, “Debbie go get a hold of Siple, and Joseph for me. Tell them to get in here ASAP please.”
By Bryan Burden4 years ago in Fiction
ACTA NON VERBA
Tired of rain! THREE. As the first drops of rain hit her windshield, she thought to herself. Beth, you should have listened, he was right again. Here comes the rain first fairly light but then increasing to a downpour. Beth moved from one lane to the other as she exited the interstate at her exit. Just as she turned on to a side street boom, kathump, kathump, kathump. The unmistakable sounds of a blowout. This could only happen to me on a day like this she bemoaned to herself as she pulled over. Why me? Why Now? She thought as the rain continued to pour down on her car. A slow drip seeped through the crack she had put in the window to let air in and the rain slowly flooded the side street she had exited on. Maybe only ankle deep but deep enough that she wasn’t getting out to fix it now. At that very moment she was dressed to the hilt for a job interview that she obviously now was going to be late for if she even got there at all.
By Bryan Burden4 years ago in Fiction
Acta Non Verba
TWO. The early morning glow was just coming in the window of the bedroom as the silence was broken by a loud ring, then a couple of seconds of silence and then another ring. From under the covers of the bed a hand reached out and slammed down on the alarm clock. Then another ring broke the silence. From under the covers this time a sigh and a muttering came out “Do you know what time it is.” Then another ring came accompanied by a hurried rustling of the covers. Jim tried to scramble to his feet to answer the phone but the sheets had become entangled in his feet. He kicked at them and said gruffly. “Stupid, stupid sheets who invented them? I’d like to have a word or two with him.” Another ring sounded and Jim was able to grab the phone before he fell onto the floor with one lone sheet still entrenched around his right foot. “Hello, do you know what time it is?” he said. At this point Jim was greeted with a loud and annoying dial tone. “That’s great just great. Call me and hang up just as I get there.” he proclaimed.
By Bryan Burden4 years ago in Fiction


