Raymond G. Taylor
Bio
Author living in Kent, England. Writer of short stories and poems in a wide range of genres, forms and styles. A non-fiction writer for 40+ years. Subjects include art, history, science, business, law, and the human condition.
Stories (158/663)
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Ten minutes to mask a murder
In ten minutes, the squad would arrive. I heaved the 'murder weapon', a huge hunk of ice, into the storm drain. As it hit with a smash, the steady stream of meltwater started to push the pieces away, along with the red streaks that had covered one side. I hid the cocaine in the trunk.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Fiction
Telltale crimson trail. Top Story - February 2024. Content Warning.
I'd seen gray snow, I'd seen brown, mushy snow on the highway. I'd seen yellow snow too, but this was the first time I had seen pink snow. The sight of it turned my stomach. The crimson stain had grown into a shadow, an outline, like an island. The spatter from the blow had left a telltale bloody trail leading away from the gaping wound in the victim's head.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Fiction
Passed a weary time
Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink. It is an ancient mariner, I. For down into the sea I went. Through no choice of my own, I came to be abandoned, misplaced, left alone on a bench. The good south wind did blow behind and, lifting me in its arms, tossed me first onto the ground, then skipping and jumping to the Bankside. Leaping above the flood wall, I came down into the fretting flow and began my voyage in earnest.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Fiction
Christ has set us free
"You put that whip down, or y'all be sorry." "I'll be sorry? Not as sorry as you will, boy!" With that, young Freeland raised the horsewhip and threw a mighty wave of the whip's end at me. Flinching, I felt the sting of a cut across my shoulder. Before the man could raise his arm again for a second blow, I was upon him and knocked him clean off his feet, as my fist drove into his jaw.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Fiction
A quiet night in the George Inn
Sitting in my usual place in my favourite armchair by the fireside in the George, I was feeling a little unsettled. It wasn’t the beer, I knew, as I stared at the crystal-clear brew in the glass on the table before me. I glanced up at Ray and Trevor, standing at the other end of the fireplace, each with a pint in their hands. They were gassing away as usual, but tonight with someone else I didn’t know. The three of them were discussing the match and taking no notice of me. Seemed like these days, I hardly had a friend to talk to and often ended up sitting alone in the corner.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Fiction
The very very best writing . Top Story - November 2023.
With many thanks to fellow Vocal creators and Vocal + Assist. I asked on the facebook group what was everyone's favorite story or character and these are the ones they came up with. I did promise a little something for the very best of the very very best, so please take a look at the stories suggested and let us all know what you think, by commenting on this post. Also on the stories, of course. I don't mind if you copy and paste from one to the other. If you want to join in, just go to Vocal + Assist. Ask to join the group if you are not already a member and look for the thread. Post your story there and I will add it below when I get a chance. For now, enjoy all this great writing in the stories linked here.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Fiction
The wayward witch
Breezes calm and waters placid . Render this man's member flaccid! With these words Morwenna cast the corn dolly into the duck pond. She had made the crude image from a few strands of straw picked that morning from the wheat field nearby. She attached a tiny twist of wool she picked up from the hedge where some sheep had been herded earlier. The twist of wool was what made it a boy dolly rather than a girl. Not just any boy, the effigy was intended to represent the young man who had, the night before, refused Morwenna's clumsy advances.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Fiction
