The Cereal Wish
Fast & Short is a flash fiction collaboration between eight Literate Ape writers. Each was tasked with authoring one piece of flash fiction that would be combined to create a single short story. The writers’ flash fiction needed to serve two purposes: 1) Stand alone as a unique piece of flash fiction and 2) Serve as a vehicle for building a larger story and driving that story forward. Here is that developing story.
The Enticement of Madam Luck
Thousands desired the mystical woman. Hundreds fought for her. Traps were set for her. But no matter what happened while she walked the earth, she always disappeared just as the sun disappeared in the sky.
The Fourth Meeting With Death
Death liked Nelson, but Nelson wasn’t exactly sure why. Perhaps because they’d spent a lot of time together. At their last meeting, Nelson asked Death how he was able to remember their meetings. He’d done weeks of research, trying to find others who claimed they’d met Death. He had only found whackos.
Once King
He’s a man who seems older than he is as he stoops over a broom and pushes dried leaves and debris off the street. His task is never-ending. Day or night, you will find him cleaning the square under the shadow of the castle.
An Ass and His Dog
For who-knows-how-long, it was just Loren and Lady. And he went nowhere without her. Yes. Even in the ER, the old Irish Setter was lying on the floor, gazing up lovingly at Loren with her brown puppy eyes.
The Cat with the Key
Jane announced she would take her door key and tie it around the neck of a cat. The man who could get the key and unlock her front door would be the man she would marry.
Santa's Gift
Ricky stood in the snow with one sneaker untied and his backpack hanging far too low on his back. His breath misted in the frigid December air. He shook, but not from the cold. His mother taught him to layer up, making it almost impossible to catch a chill.
No, his shivers were from fear. A fear he had every year. But this year was going to be different.
Real Life Ghost Stories: Scary Sleepovers
Then Amanda began telling me a story unlike anything I’d heard before. The sincerity of the story, the lingering fear that lived her words, could only lead me to believe she was telling me the absolute truth.
Dark Flowers: An Excerpt
When Dahlia is informed she must learn to use her newly discovered powers, she isn’t sure if she should be elated or terrified. Having just murdered a few high school bullies, attending Sterling Manor could mean the start of a new life or the end of one.
True Love Exists
True love exists. It can exist in many forms. It can enter our lives when we are young, or it can wait until we’re seasoned. True love can be discovered, or it can suddenly awaken. I don’t believe everyone experiences it. I wish we all did. I don’t know why some are able to feel it and others can’t. I only know that I am one of the lucky few who have it, and I will hold onto it forever.
The Last Generation
I don’t want this. I’m too afraid. I don’t think this is the answer for the human race. I don’t want us all to suffer and die, but it is our fault we live in a destroyed world.
Real Life Ghost Stories: A Children's Home Ghost Hunt
An exploration of an abandoned children’s home that served as both boarding school and orphanage in Bloomington, Illinois, now demolished. This could be your last chance to enter the building before it disappears from memory forever, to feel the echoes of history long past.
The Most Dangerous Breed
Ban the pit bulls! They bite! They have muscles! They have terrible owners! They hog all the covers!
Ben Ridley is a Killer
A novel excerpt from the newly released “The Lyrebird Threat,” Ben Ridley returns from an assignment and gives a small window into the madness that haunts him.
How To Hide A Body In Illinois
In this novel excerpt from “The Lyrebird Threat,” the Mimic works against the clock to carry out her sinister and bloody revenge.
The Time Aaron's Roommate Murdered His Date
An excerpt from the newly released novel, “The Lyrebird Threat” out on Amazon.com, describing in full detail the exact events that revealed to Aaron his roommate is an operative for a secret sub-branch of government. Not an ideal date, but it could have gone worse.
The Mud Dauber Lesson
Humans destroy what they don’t understand. I usually call my husband out to destroy these freaking things for me.
The Survival of Icarus
Kisses and grins, palms pressed, they raced through the forest with the glee of children. Naked and free, strong and alone, Icarus and Apollo at last could be together.
The Awkward Letters
If I could write a letter to some of the people I have come across in F-ed up moments. Cringey, awkward situations and what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-you moments.
Lost Things and My Recent Literary Meltdown
This morning I had a literary meltdown. A small one, so don’t call the cops or anything.
It all began as I was backing up my phone and accidentally deleted All. My. Notes.
I am not satisfied until my mosquito bites have been scratched into permanent scars. This is a literal and metaphorical commentary on the self.