Tag: mystery

Another April

Another April

“Darling, I’m coming home at last.” A sheet of lavender paper unexpectedly appears on the dining room table one morning. Her handwriting. Her little swirl of a signature. Her scent. Claire. Claire?? The miracle I’ve prayed for all these months. I lift the paper and hold it to my cheek, wet with tears. I trace […]

The Paintbrush

The Paintbrush

Opening the door to the attic, she entered what was once an artist’s studio.  Light from the rooftop windows revealed numerous unfinished paintings leaning against the walls.  Discarded rags smeared with turpentine and a rainbow of colours lay on the floor.  And standing proud, in the corner, a wooden easel housed a blank canvas. “Locked […]

The Visitation

The Visitation

She comes out of nowhere. One minute I’m alone; the next, she is speaking to me in Spanish. A beautiful young woman about my age, mid-twenties, with my mother’s chin and dark-honey hair much like my own. “No habla Espanol,” I tell her. “You will. My grandfather will teach you. Tomorrow your life will change […]

Perspective

Perspective

The prisoner requests Cadmium Red; the guards munch juicy apples.The prisoner requests Manganeze Violet; the guards feast on grapes. The guards never question strange occurrences, just keep each prisoner happy until firing squad time. This one asks for oil paints, “for practice”. “Burnt Sienna, Emerald Green, Chrome Yellow, Cerulean Blue.” The day before execution, four […]

Who’s There

Who’s There

Knock-knock.“Come in, darling,” she sings out happily. Knock-knock.“Come on in – you have your key!” Knock-knock.“I said come in! You’re starting to push me over the edge.” Knock-knock.“Come in, for the love of God!” She screams. “What kind of game are you playing?” Knock-knock-knock.“Don’t do this to me!” She can feel veins popping in her […]

Why Indeed

Why Indeed

Yoga class is so much nicer without Cathy. Her slender body could form any pose, and her coppery hair remained unruffled, shining. Our instructor Matt adoringly called her “Golden Serpent”.  Not only was Golden Serpent beautiful and supple, but she was articulate and well-read.  “Why do we do things that aren’t good for us?”  Matt’s […]

Blue Moon

Blue Moon

The children sleep softly this All Hallows Eve, wrapped in moonlight and dreams. Suzie snuggles with her favorite toy Fluffy, dark hair encirclng pink fur. I hold back a sob. My darling daughter must never know. Matthew grins in his sleep, chuckling at one of his tall tales. My own crooked smile trembles. My precious […]

The Box

The Box

The box arrives with no return address. Although it is addressed to her, she is hesitant to open it. The box has unusual wrapping – a metallic paper which diffuses light into a chaos of colors. What wonders must such a box contain! She opens the package and gazes inside expectantly. Contents reveal only disappointment. […]

Baptism

Baptism

‘At first it was slow. I noticed, in those moments when we shared the daily cryptic, her mouth would droop, she would stop speaking mid-sentence for a few seconds.’ I shuffle in my seat. ‘Over time the illness quickened,’ like a black fog rolling under a door, or a mind filling with ants. They sit […]

A Game in the Dark

A Game in the Dark

Samuel woke up in the hall, but he didn’t think much of it; he sleepwalked every other day. He looked out his peephole first, as per his usual routine. Instead of seeing Sarah heading for her run, he saw her crying form surrounded by police officers.    Half an hour later, he was in trial for […]

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