Angler: Wordlinger

Submission to a Destiny's Annex

“Hey Buddy,” a weasely Stavroid  approached. “Where’d you get that ring?”

“Same place as everyone else I guess.”

“Maybe not.”

“Cereal box, you?”

The Stavroid erupted into dark laughter. “And you thought that made you something special, grain-eating human?” Stavroids are strict carnivores.

Matt turned. The line of beings had mostly gone back to their own conversations and ignored him now. But that question was interesting. This whack assor...

Submission to a Becca's Roots

Her looks opened doors that her actions slammed shut. Becca’s excitement about her first dinner at DCC had her pacing around her 450 square foot apartment. What to wear? She’d drooled over an Anne Fontaine white blouse that was featured in Vogue last month. The blouse was extolled as classic with a black skirt and stilettos. Perfect for a fancy dinner with the stuffed shirt crowd. She’d fit right in.

Small problem – buying that blouse would mean not eating for the rest of the mo...

Submission to a Allie's Choice

Allie slipped out of bed and padded to the bathroom. A quick shower before Drew wakes, she thought. She paused at the doorway and gazed at him still sleeping under the sheets. Just how was she going to explain this to her sister, and herself, in the glaring reality of daylight?

Submission to a Destiny's Annex

The Outlander in line behind Matt and Rinbin nudged Matt when he jumped out of line again. Matt turned, he hadn’t paid much attention to anyone besides Rinbin in the last few minutes. Outlanders are hard to categorize. Some species like humans and Nibelanjers generally fall into identifiable types, and you can usually spot the agressives, doormats, brainiacs, etc. But with Outlanders you never know. Their looks are deceiving, and their ways are unpredictable. Too many outcasts from other w...

Submission to a Becca's Roots

She noticed a few new dings in the door of her Jeep Laredo. Damn these tiny parking spaces, she thought. As if making all the spaces for compact cars would keep Texans from driving oversized SUVs.

When Becca arrived at Sublime, she checked her lipstick in the vanity mirror before getting out of the Jeep. Ready. Kendra was already inside. Tonight's show promised to be a big event for Sublime, and for Becca. The new featured artist would arrive in about an hour. His imprint on this to...

Submission to a Allie's Choice

Tommy padded down the hallway, rubbing his eyes. "Mom, I'm hungry."

"I know.There's still some Honey Nut Cheerios left. Go get the box and I'll get the milk." Allie tugged at her robe to be sure she was arranged like a mom, not a slut. What the hell, she thought, I'm a grown woman who can sleep with an ex if I feel like it. She grabbed the milk and a bowl. Poured the cereal and milk. "How'd you sleep, honey."

"What'd ya mean?" Tommy plunged a spoon into the bowl and shoveled c...

Submission to a Becca's Roots

Submission to a Allie's Choice

“What are you talking about?” Allie replied.
“Tommy said he saw a man leaving the house this morning.”
“Oh, that. He was still dreaming. He just saw me coming back into the house after I picked up the newspaper this morning. You know how long it takes him to wake up in the mornings.” Allie forced a giggle.
“Since when do you take the paper?”
“Since when is that any of your business?”
“Since my son lives with you.”
“Get over it, Jason. Thanks for doing the s...

Submission to a Destiny's Annex

100 or so creatures remained in the line outside Destiny’s Annex. When the doors slammed shut, they rushed toward the entrance.

Inside, Rinbin and the emotional Grock Warrior heard screams and hammering at the door. They looked at one another, then around the anteroom. They were alone. Ando, Dap, Matt and the other entrants were gone.

Outside, several beings were trampled and injured by the riotous mob. Planet security arrived to subdue the crowd. After hours of interview...

Submission to a Iced

“What the hell?” Icepick ran to the white Malibu rental and started it up. The wheels spit gravel as he tore out after Pinky.

Pinky headed north, away from the connection to the main highway and civilization. The truck swerved like it was controlled by a drunk driver trying to run a gauntlet of pink elephants. Icepick hadn’t detected alcohol on her breath during their brief conversation, and there was no good reason to be heading away from the main roads. At least not one that ...

Submission to a Becca's Roots

Becca shoved Josh out the door – directly into Kendra. Half of her drink sloshed onto the floor, but since nothing seems to stick on Kendra, her Nicole Miller dress was spared.

“Damn,” Kendra said quietly into Josh’s ear. His head was still so close to hers that no one else heard her. She shot Becca that big sister dagger of a look that meant you’re-always-such-a-loser. When Becca rushed to clean up the spill, she succeeded in jostling Kendra to the point that the remainder of ...

Submission to a Becca's Roots

“Well, I’ll have to discuss it with Hamilton P,” Becca feigned. “I’ll get back to you. How about another glass of wine?” Becca waved Fizel in the direction of the bar and tried to stop herself from running to Josh. Her first sale! That’ll show Kendra. She sauntered toward Josh, beaming.

“You got a canary in there, Becca?” Josh asked.

“Yeah, a big fat one that’s headed to New York. Ditch the spurs cowboy, you’re movin’ up.”

Submission to a Destiny's Annex

Rinbin spoke into the transceiver. “I have them in sight. Will report when I recover asset.” Six hands come in handy flying a single-seater. Rinbin adjusted his speed, calibrated a projected destination, opened the controls for cloaking, adjusted the rearview mirror, smoothed his hair, and straightened his shirt. Nibelanjer efficiency was unbeatable. He engaged the cloak feature.

The ship stalled out, choking instead of cloaking.

Submission to a Iced

Icepick took a long drag on his cigarette and leaned againstthe wall inside the warehouse. His thoughts raced like a hamster inside hishead was running in the little wheel on crack. F--. What the hell’s going on?Pinky’s cleaned out the Wing Bucket, taken off, and there’s a damn icepackoutside for anyone to find. Fingerprints. Don’t touch it. Whose fingerprints?Who left it here? Why would Pinky betray me? After all--.

He removed his T shirt and walked back outside. Dropped theshirt o...

Submission to a Destiny's Annex

“Hey, I did my best. You didn’t give me much choice, did you cowboy?”

“You let him come in with all six arms swinging.”

“Well, you didn’t want me to tell him about you.”

Rinbin broke in, “You knew? And didn’t tell me?” His shoulders sank and two of his eyes closed. The remaining eye stayed glued to Matt.

“Well, uh, you’ve been busy with-“

“Yes I have been busy trying to save this unsuspecting human.”

“Did I just hear sarcasm? From a Nibelanjer? I’m impre...

Submission to a Iced

Her eyes drilled him. He squirmed and tugged at his shirtcollar. “Who’s that?”

Pinky smiled and placed her hand on Dirk’s desk. She leanedin closer and lowered her voice. “Let’s not talk about that here. Prying ears,you know. How about a drink later? 6:00? The Rio Room?”

“Sure. For the sake of cracking this case. You bringing thesource?”

“Oh, the source will be there. I’m sure of that.” Pinky roseto her feet slowly. Dirk watched as her body parts passed before his eyes on...

Submission to a Vampires' Buffet

John motioned to Thomas for help. “Let’s get him out of here,” he whispered. The two grabbed Dante’s limp body, at shoulders and feet,and carried him into a back room.

“Now what?” Thomas released Dante’s feet, which made a thud as they hit the floor.

“Hell if I know. He’s one of us, but he just won’t lay off the blood. We aren’t running a buffet here, it’s supposed to be a shelter for humans and vampires. He’s hurting all of us, especially himself. He’ll have one blasted hango...

Submission to a Cold Heat

His heart died when he lost the-job-of-a-lifetime. His brain died when he stopped getting out of bed daily. His soul died when he fully succumbed to the depression that told him he was worthless. Dead in all ways except a pulse. End the misery, he thought as he rolled over and pulled the covers to block daylight from his eyes. Well-meaning friends told him he was wronged, that he was valued, even loved. But his inner dialogue drowned all hopeful thoughts. He knew it was depression speaking...