literature
Whether written centuries ago or just last year, literary couples show that love is timeless.
The Soldier's Story
The Soldier’s Story Marvin leaned against the brick wall and muttered to himself. He had just had his money stolen again by some of the thugs who infested this part of the city. They were like termites in rotten buildings, he thought bitterly, devouring everything with no thought for what it had cost someone else. And the city was rotting. Too many people had forgotten. To add insult to injury, the young men had kicked his metal bowl across the street.
By roger Crane5 years ago in Humans
A Price to be Paid
As Kiera sat in the small corner cafe combing through the want ads, she could feel the panic rise in her chest. If she didn’t starve to death, the anxiety would likely kill her. That thought actually manifested a quiet, albeit physical, giggle. This made people look. Look at the strange girl, tears occasionally streaming down her face as she giggled. As if no one had ever seen someone fall apart before. She buried her head back into the paper. The words all became a blur as her thoughts rolled over the events of the recent past. It had all started when Sadie went missing. She had always been an indoor cat, never straying far from the window of their 16th story apartment building. That was over 2 months ago. She stills worries herself sick over what has happened to her closest and most loyal friend. Then a month ago, give or take, she was called into the office of Bill, her supervisor at Applestand Inc., where she worked in the accounting office. She was informed that her performance was no longer acceptable and they would be letting her go. She remembers standing there at a complete loss for words. Her supervisor sat there at his big supervisor desk, looking at her with about as much compassion as a hungry lion has for a gazelle. It was a crap job and she was always looking for a better opportunity, but she had always given this job her best. She wondered if it had anything to do with Larry and his unwanted advances on her. As she exited the office there stood Larry, smirking at her. This just drove that feeling home even more. All this she could bear, but when David, her fiancé of 2 years, just walked away last week, she crumbled.
By Iago Black5 years ago in Humans
Blue Paper Stars
The cold, Appalachian air rolled down the mountain, filling the valley with a frothy-white mist, so quickly, that it sloshed back up the barren, winter hills like a hastily poured bowl of milk. The mist seeped through Brennan’s gloves and into his knuckles just as fast. Resting a palm on the shovel’s rust-eaten handle and another pushing on the small of his back, He stretched and gazed into the cloud covered sky. The air smelled thick with remnants of last night’s storm, harrowed earth, and iron. Leaning an elbow on his shovel, he began massaging circles into his palms, rubbing off fragmented rust and dried blood from the deep lines in his hands. Noticing how much blood was left, he began to rub his palm feverishly, panting so hard his breath was visible in short bursts, so thick he couldn’t see his hands, so red all he could see was red, so loud all he could hear was -- until a blister popped. The sharp pain brought him back into his body and all he could do was stare at his hands, rubbed raw, pulsating in harmony with the rhythm of his heartbeat.
By Jenna Calamai5 years ago in Humans
Dreaming
I saw her standing in the corner of the subway station, she was holding a camera on one hand and what it seemed like a Polaroid photo on the other. Her face expression seemed vague, a little sad I suppose. She rushed inside as soon as the subway train came to a halt, I couldn't help but rush after her. I sat down beside her; I had no idea where the destination of this train might be but I knew I had to talk to her. So I sat. I introduced myself and tried keeping a conversation although she seemed uninterested.
By Pita Gomez5 years ago in Humans
My Lucky Unlucky Day
My Lucky Unlucky day Damn, I can't believe my car broke down again. This is the fourth time this month. I could really use a miracle right now. I'm going to be late for work too! Again! I'll be lucky if i don’t get fired. This is great. I guess I'll be walking the 5 miles from the highway onramp back home. And if that isn't bad enough my phone is just about dead.
By Mary creighton5 years ago in Humans
Have a Glass of Champagne
The coffee cup sat on the corner of the desk half drunk. The steam had already subsided and occasional waves of hazelnut drifted on the HVAC laden air. The blue hue from the computer screen demanded attention like a toddler kicking and screaming at the injustice of a different colored cup. Work, work, work was the mantra. The mantra repeated itself like an old school record skipping.
By Fuzzy Slippers5 years ago in Humans
Not All Knowledge
Finally, four o’clock arrives. I don’t live far from work, maybe a mile. I usually just walk every day. St. George’s Bar is having a BOGO sale on whiskey shot tonight. Maybe I’ll stop by for an hour or so. As I get to the bar, Ashley, the bartender, asks me if I want ‘the usual.’ I nod distracted by the guy who comes to sit right next to me. This bar is never busy so there’s usually plenty of seats, so why did he suddenly sit next to me? “Hello madam.” His strange dialect catches me off guard once more. “I’ll have what he’s having.” He looks over to me then takes one of his shots and tosses it back. “That’s a strong drink. Bad day?” I’m dumbfounded unsure of what’s happening right now. “Are you alright?” he asks with a nonchalant look. “Oh, um, yes. I’m fine,” I clear my voice.
By chelsey miles5 years ago in Humans
The Cost of Cowries
Thin clouds – the kind that form in feathery wisps and disappear before you can be sure they were ever there at all – dance gracefully along the deep blue line of the horizon. That’s the way I start every story, have done since I was about eleven. I haven’t got an imagination, which is why it's fortunate that so many of my memories of our childhood happen to be beautiful.
By Winnie Stubbs5 years ago in Humans
