Mystery

"We're all Happy Here"
"We're all happy here" The first phrase I heard at my new career filled me with hope and optimism. This year has been extremely challenging for me, between the stress of navigating the pandemic while losing my grandmother April and my bakery business closing.
By Patrick Wade4 years ago in Fiction
Lunar Doe; Solar Stag
…a Marigold? Why am I seeing a Marigold? Oh yeah… because I ate mushrooms. More precisely, it’s because I’m participating in a Sacred Healing Ceremony facilitated by a Mazatec Priestess. Her name is María, and I can’t even begin to explain how we met.
By Peregrin Knighton Mahan4 years ago in Fiction
Allena Abigail Burkhardt: Part 3
Allena ducked around the corner of an ornate late 19th century stone business building. Slipping on damp pavement, she very nearly collided with an affronted pedestrian.
By E.B. Mahoney4 years ago in Fiction
One Thing Leads to Snother
Being an avid gardener, she knows which plants to grow in her garden that would help keep pests away. She always put mammoth sunflowers at the ends of her beds, knowing that many garden pests would be attracted to them and they were strong enough to not succumb to their attacks. She planted onions and garlic on the outside edges. Many rodents would be discouraged by the pungent smell. She keeps marigolds in pots so she can plant them between her tomato plants. Not only are they beautiful, but the strong aroma keeps pests away.
By Don McDougle4 years ago in Fiction
See the Sun
Love is subjective. It wraps us tight in pastel blankets during our childhood, and it begins with a kiss goodnight from our parents. Love can be that first date nervousness, a celebration of a 40 year marriage, or a cake made from scratch for your friend's birthday.
By K L4 years ago in Fiction
Only Marigold Tea
“Grandma, Grandma, are you home?” I called. I’m met with silence, which is strange as Grandma knew I was coming over this afternoon.
By Colleen Millsteed 4 years ago in Fiction
Rocking Chair
She’s buried on a hill at the southernmost edge of my property, beneath a Bradford pear tree. I did that on purpose. I know she loved Bradford pears, especially in spring. I’ve always thought they smell like something dead, but she couldn’t get enough of them. So, in accordance with what I suspect her final wishes might’ve been, that’s where I laid her to rest. I visit her grave now and then, though not as much as I used to. I might go soon and pay my respects. Or maybe not. I walk with a cane now, and movement doesn’t come as easily as it once did.
By Michael Vito Tosto4 years ago in Fiction
Henry
Henry was an old and enjoyable man. Never was his lawn too long or too short. The snow was shoveled before the last flake had time to settle. Never did you see a visitor to his home. Never would you see Henry stray out of the neighborhood.
By Tracy4 years ago in Fiction
Aftertimes
The air was heavy. It dragged across the moss, sagging underneath the great reach of old willow trees. The sun had come and gone, taking with it the voiceless limbo of an empty town.
By Irene Ross4 years ago in Fiction
Ashley Committed A Crime
“It was December 22nd; I was with my boyfriend, Erin. We were ice skating on the frozen pond. We were both doing tricks, but I accidentally made a crack in the ice. My boyfriend fell into the ice. I tried to save him but he was way too heavy. There was no way I could pick him up. Police officers, you have to believe me. I tried to save him but I simply could not.” Ashley eagerly says.
By Isis Lyons 4 years ago in Fiction
An Odd Conundrum
The floors creaked as I walked down the fifty two step staircase of my home. My burnt orange gown shined in the sunlight that peeked through the giant windows above. One arm by my side stiffened, as the other grazed the rail for support.
By Tamiya Jones 4 years ago in Fiction
Killers
We all knew of the girl who drowned; she sank like a stone, they said; she was showing off that night, they said; the guys all said; the water is deeper than it appears; and we're not the worst swimmers, but it's dark; we don't swim at night; no, we don't swim at night with guys; we all knew of the girl who drowned; she sank like a stone, they said; she was showing off that night, they
By kings4 years ago in Fiction