elizabeth_oswald

CD Chapter Seventeen

Everything stopped. The colors, and the patterns, and the depth of the room vanished, leaving only Amythyst - Amy - standing against a flat white background, looking shaken. Her shoulders hunched as if she’d taken a punch, and she looked down, brown hair falling into her face.

“I knew you were smart,” she murmured, finally, lifting her chin. “That’s part of why I picked you.” Sighing, she continued, “I could lie to you right now and say no, that’s not me. I coul...

Water's Child Chapter Five END

Dr. Rosenthal got the process started, then ran toward the column nearest his workstation. Kris watched as the column opened. The figure inside slumped to the ground as the fluid drained away, and her cheeks heated as she realized that it was a male. Staring around, Kris saw that a cabinet nearby stood open, and a corner of white cloth poked out.

Jogging over, she pulled open the door, distantly amazed to find that it was made entirely of something that looked like aluminum, and was pro...

CD Chapter Sixteen

When she opened her eyes again, it was to find that the car had stopped, and Felicia was still sitting across from her, simply watching Ava sleep. Ava sat up quickly, instantly feeling her head begin to pound. Felicia instantly extended her hands. One held a clear glass cup of water, while a plain white pill rested in the palm of the other.

“Take one of these now. I’ll leave a few more to help you through the next day or so, but you shouldn’t take anything in the twenty-four hours...

CD Chapter Fifteen

It took at least twice as long as it should have to wash her face and rinse the worst of the glop from her hair. When she finally stood back up, she realized that Elevator Goon must have managed to clip her as she was running by, because her left cheekbone was purple and swelling. A small cut sat right in the middle of the contusion. She prodded it carefully with her good hand, and it rewarded her with a sharp pain and some oozing blood.

“Damn it,” she muttered. “I look like someo...

CD Chapter Fourteen

The store was, indeed, flooded with customers that day. Club Sepia was new, hot, and, apparently, offering a two thousand dollar prize for the winner of their drag show. Several people bought dresses like the one Ava wore, and many of those upgraded to better foundation garments so the deceptively simple column of silver satin would fall correctly. Ava wondered bemusedly just how many people would be wearing the same dress tonight, and was almost tempted to go just so she could find out.

CD Chapter Thirteen

Ava didn’t tell her boss, Tom, that she quit. She also didn’t tell Lyle, or anyone else. Not that she talked to anyone else. But on her last break, she went and bought real steaks, a half dozen eggs, a loaf of whole grain bread, and two avocados, which she never got to eat, because they were either good or bad, but never lingered in between. Only things she could prepare and eat when she got home, or would be safe sitting out on the counter, because of course the refrigerator was still br...

LF Shorts - William's story

The sun was rising, and while William could remain in the sunlight, for a while at least, it was exceedingly unpleasant, and he preferred to avoid it when possible. It wasn’t so much the blistering of his undead flesh that he minded, but rather the memories it provoked. Absently, he rubbed at the shiny yellow ring of scar tissue encircling his left wrist. Vampires weren’t supposed to change after undeath, but centuries of pain and imprisonment left their mark, even on immortals.

As ...

Water's Child Chapter Four

She woke to find water was her reality, as well, though when she tried to thrash her way to the surface, she found that her muscles barely responded, and she only managed to move her arms and legs in weak, uncoordinated motions. The water was oddly thick, and when the red light began to shine, it seemed diffuse and distant, unlike when she had seen it from outside.

The ‘wall’ in front of her cleared slowly, revealing Dr. Rosenthal standing there, staring at her, while Pin peered out...

Water's Child Chapter Three

A muffled, “Come on,” was the only warning Kris got before Thal picked her up and dropped her in the hole. She made a raspy bark as she fell, and Rooney made no attempt to catch her. When she caught a glimpse of the ground rushing up at her and the man standing, smirking, to the side, she was able to twist so she took most of the force of the fall on her padded hip and bottom, rolling as she did so. Still, she was certain her leg and side would be purple soon, and when she struggled to he...

CD Chapter Twelve

Ava just lifted her eyebrows, and Amythyst’s lower lip popped out into a pout. “Fine,” the GM muttered, “but don’t say I didn’t try.” She lifted a finger and pointed above her head. An image appeared there; some kind of official-looking ID, but with Ava’s face on it. Ava frowned, waiting for the explanation.

Amy bit her lip, chewing nervously, before she went on. “Look, I know you’re not going to be happy about this, but I needed to know what I was working with, so I...