November 2024 – Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers

The Cuckoo – Part 4 – Janet

Published by Janet Johnson on November 5, 2024

“Where the hell are my keys,” Rhys says to himself, hunting around his flat.

He’d chosen a modern apartment block with a video door entry system, an open-plan kitchen-living room, two ensuite bedrooms, a large terrace, and underground parking, easy to live in but soulless. Rifling through the piles of papers covering most surfaces, he searches in the vain hope that he might catch a glimpse of his car keys, at some point soon, he’s already running late. A scratching noise from the kitchen disturbs his search.

“Oh God, sorry, Rufus,” he says, looking at a white rat with pink eyes staring at him from its elaborate cage, a labyrinth of tunnels and wheels, “I nearly forgot you.”

Reaching into the cage, he removes the food bowls, ensuring that Rufus doesn’t escape, and fills them with special nutty-smelling rat nuggets from a bag found under the sink and clean water. As he puts the bowls back, he spots his keys lying beside the cage.

“Rufus, you’re a lifesaver,” he says, grabbing his keys and smiling and waving at the rat as he hurries out of the apartment. Distracted by his food, the rat isn’t interested in Rhys’ departure.

Haven Part 2 by Jason

Published by Jason Davies-Redgrave on November 5, 2024

Emyr is a boy alone, cast adrift, a lone figure facing…

Energies rotate and build, turning and folding around themselves, a twist of melody here a spiral of incandescence there. The Harmonicus Universalis moves in stately time crystal sphere pushing itself over crystal sphere, sparks rain down from the heavens. Galaxies parade and dance, planets spin into eternity, the pulsars and quasars and magnetars burst with penetrating radiation, pushing life into the void like a virus.

An Eejit in the Archipelago by Sandra

Published by Sandra Lloyd Lewis on November 5, 2024

The space was humming with chatter and conjecture. ‘Order,’ Archmage Numnums murmured. Although he’d said it softly, the circular walls of the room and the use of his supernatural tonsils, meant everyone in the space was stupefied by the volume of the request. Silence reigned.

Archmage Numnums sat in the centre of the room and surveyed the Academy wizards, and servants, crowded on benches that rose around the central dais. He sighed; he had only just had breakfast, was already thinking of lunch and didn’t want this farce to go on any longer than necessary. He performed a regal wave at the Master to proceed.

‘Thankyou Archmage Numnums,’ said the Master of We’ll Be Having Words, giving an equally regal bow ‘We are gathered here today, to hear the case of the Demon…’

I am free by Zin

Published by Zin Shandi on November 5, 2024

In a charming twist of destiny, the British sky revealed its most vibrant blue, while the sun cast golden rays that illuminated the world beneath. Ottelia piloted her car along the meandering roads, her smile reflecting the warmth surrounding her, as the graceful notes of classical music floated through her open windows. Yet, the sun yearned for something more spirited—a melody to match its radiant exuberance. She pulled to the side of the road, her heart craving a tune that would sway with the sunlight filtering through the ancient trees that lined her route. Their towering branches stretched wide like…

Dark Sun: The Dawn of Earth’s Twilight

Published by Martyn Winters on November 5, 2024

Chapter 2: Part 1. The Explorers

They call it the Million Year Rain. It is the clearest example of how the Zjheek implement their plans: they plan for eternity.

To the Zjheek, eternity is not a long time, as one of their most esteemed philosophers, Arkmontic Adamant Halting, says, “Eternity is right here and now. It does not have anything to do with time. Eternity is the part that cuts out time. It’s an experience of the moment. If you do not get it now, you will never feel eternity.”

When the Zjheek decide upon something it is literally for now and forever.

Which is why, when the Exploration Group enters System 7992, surveys it, and finds a planet orbiting slowly around its primary within the zone which allows liquid water to exist, they are very excited.

“The planet is arid,” says astro-biologist, Tattooed Windpipe. She pulls her feathers back from her face, where they fell while peering into her long-range telescope, and refastens the agate clip she uses to hold them. Wiping her upper hands on the front of her tunic to clean off the oil from her feathers, she bobs to the mission leader, Taupe Colouration and waits for his nod of approval to continue.

The Winnowing by Sandra

Published by Sandra Lloyd Lewis on November 5, 2024

‘Arraignement and Triall of Nineteene Notorious Witches at the Assizes and Gaole Deliuerie, holden at the Castle of LANCASTER… Triall of Iennet PRESTON, at the Assizes …with her Execution for the murther of Master LISTER by Witchcraft.’

Mrs Williams sighed and put the book down. Those poor women. Their mistake was that they had been too open, too free with their craft, especially Demdike, who had cured people of everything from ingrown toenails to scrofula in her time. Of course, she had also lamed those that crossed her, but that was to be expected, and Mrs Williams was the last person to cast blame for that. People turned on them, driven by revenge and the puritanical twin-prick tines of Government and Church.

But that was long ago, no point getting upset.

‘BBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ’

Jonathan Harker’s Journal

Published by Janet Johnson on November 4, 2024

1 November, Cardiff, early – Oh, what a night it has been. The Count has eluded us once more, but we are close, I can feel it in my bones.

I watch as Mina tosses and turns in her sleep. Her face is flushed, and her brow feverish on my lips when I kiss her. She murmurs at my touch before returning to her fitful slumbers. Of the terrors occupying her dreams, I know not.

The night began quietly until what some call the “witching hour”. Emerging from the direction of Sophia Gardens at speed, I was nearly upended by a young man, his face white as a ghost and his voice trembling with fear. After calming the poor fellow, I determined that the cause of his distress was a ferocious beast roaming Pontcanna Fields. My interest peaked, I set off at once to investigate, leaving the man in calmer spirits. The howls of the beast cut eerily across the park, guiding me to its location. Its monstrous shadow loomed before me in the moonlight as I cornered it, its snarls and growls reaching a crescendo. Slippery as a snake, it made its escape when I made to capture it, back to its den, I suspect, as no further sound of it was heard.

Daring Space Captain by Jason

Published by Jason Davies-Redgrave on November 1, 2024

The consensus of opinion is that space does not smell, though the monks of the Good and Great Prophet Nasal Trunk the Third will argue the rear most limbs off a Gillywharg that, in point of fact, space can smell like cinnamon, sunlight on fresh Macasino limes or the flatulent emissions of an aging Harthlickle, depending on the time of year and whether or not your wearing artificial fibres.

Most life forms in the Federated Galactic Congress don’t agree with the monks, though I suspect that not many of the citizens of the Federated Galactic Congress have heard of the Monks of the Good and Great Prophet Nasal Trunk the Third. Also, if I am to be completely honest, there seems to be a woeful lack of decent research on the subject. It seems that most citizens of the Federated Galactic Congress have more important things to do than sniff the universe and record their findings, what with the Imperators running amok, trying to quash the pesky rebellion and deal with all the attendant paperwork.

Month: November 2024

Chapter 2: Part 1. The Explorers