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Latest Stories

March 19, 2024
Fantasy Stories Wondering Monk

Just My Imagination

The alarm clock went off and started playing an awful tune. Tom opened his eyes and closed them back, squinting. He reopened one eye and stood up to stop the torture. The phone was on the desk, in the furthest spot from the bed. Although he changed his way of…
March 19, 2024
Science Fiction Stories Ocelotlzin

Earth Is Dead

Recording… It doesn't matter who I was; I probably lived a long time ago, and I am now just a voice someone added to the audio-visual records. What is essential is the recollection of events that lead to the current state. So, a little history needs to be…
March 08, 2024
Flash Fiction Benoit

Some Enchanted Evening

It was a rugby tackle with tears: Chrissy burst in, sobbing and babbling, hugging James. Her face was all wet, eyes wild. What…? My parents split up, Dad has moved in with his boyfriend and I cannot join them. I am shut out. I have lost my dad. Torrent of…
March 08, 2024
Horror Stories Marvel Chukwudi Pephel

In The Hands Of My Legs

The car pulled up in front of the large salon. The neon sign, that sexy broad thing, on the salon'sroof read "Mr. Gil's All-night Salon". The exhaust pipe of the car was pumping solid smoke, theswirls moving from the car and towards the salon.…
March 07, 2024
Mystery Stories Vanessa Leigh Giles

Casualty of Love in the Time of Coronavirus

Chapter 1 Until Death do us Part ‘Ring, ring!’. I answered the telephone and asked, “Hello, good evening. Who’s this? “Hello.” This is Dr. Smith from Red Cross hospital. “Is this Mr. Locke, John?”, he asked, hesitantly scratching his bald head. “Yes, doctor.…
March 07, 2024
Crime Stories Robert Pook

Bar Room Trigger

Another return journey on footpaths so familiar. He strides across each crack in each paving stone. Regular loose drain covers sidestepped. Mapping long ago mapped in Richard’s desolate mind. His pace hastened by the sight of the oncoming storm. Quickening…
March 04, 2024
Horror Stories Ano Chinemerem

Sanctity

Where should I begin? I could begin by telling you about this comely boy, whom every notable person around the streets agrees his smile could charm the bills off one. Between one smile, there was his goodness, his dreams and humanity—a little far ahead?— but…
March 04, 2024
Flash Fiction Emanuel Diaz

Et Mortui Partium

As Rafael stepped out into the rain, it wasn't the ordinary drops that fell from the sky. Instead, it was a storm of souls, each one taking the form of shimmering jewelry as it cascaded toward the ground. Rubies, diamonds, and sapphires twinkled amidst the…
February 29, 2024
Poetry Jing Li Ava

London

‘Am I in London?’ "I am." Where is Elizabeth? Happy living story All of your chapter Bounlance joy Please my heart Power hand Wise mind Our baby Vow vow Love all love Miss I miss Endless wonder Bring us together Love all love Miss I miss For everything My…
February 29, 2024
Flash Fiction Rob Pook

Life Sentence of The Smith

Born nine months after his country won the World Cup.A child prodigy.Cast off at age twenty-four.Husband, father, emigree, away on the other side of the world.The blue-collar life.The dreams of success.The search for fulfillment.The long years of empty…
February 29, 2024
Mystery Stories Joshua Lowther

The Operator

Jason looked over to his right, his eyes barely able to focus themselves on the subject of his attention. His neck ached terribly from the strenuous movement. He was tired. The captain’s gaze came to rest on the rookie sonar operator sitting tense at his…
February 29, 2024
Flash Fiction Salvatore Difalco

The Chute

At dusk, we left our unit with a soft pink bundle. I carried it through the wet streets and into the black woods. I said I’d take it all the way, the bundle, but that we had to drop it in together. My wife’s green eyes flashed. “Don’t make me do that.” I…

"Mr. Montrose, it's good to see you again, sir," Lenny said from behind the Reservation Desk. The young blonde at Mr. Montrose’s side smiled up at Lenny. Brow creased with concern, he acknowledged her with a nod.

 

"Good evening, Lenny. The lady and I would like one of the penthouse suites," Mr. Montrose said.

 

"Uh, unfortunately, sir, the penthouse suites are currently occupied. Would you like one of our deluxe suites, or would you prefer to come back another time?"

 

"A deluxe suite or come back another time? I'm surprised at you, Lenny!" Mr. Montrose's face reddened. "I'm sure you're cognizant of the fact that George Dillon and I are close friends. I wonder – is he aware of how you treat his valued patrons?"

 

Lenny bristled at the implied threat. Fingers slid through a graying temple as he glanced over Mr. Montrose's left shoulder. There Lenny saw Mrs. Montrose and her current pool boy exit the dining room, arm-in-arm. They ambled toward the penthouse elevator, heads bent in quiet conversation.

 

"I beg your pardon, sir. Let me double-check the records.” Lenny made a pretense of searching the reservation list, knowing full well the penthouse suite next to Delia Montrose was unoccupied.

 

A moment later, when Mr. Montrose slammed his fist on the counter and glared, Lenny clenched his teeth. Several hotel guests looked their way. The blonde’s widened eyes darted from her date’s face to Lenny’s. She licked her lips then turned her back on the Reservation Desk and the conversation.

 

Jaw set, Lenny took a moment to weigh the consequences of Mr. and Mrs. Montrose meeting face-to-face with lovers in tow. A loud exhale from Mr. Montrose quickened Lenny’s decision. Clearing his throat, Lenny said, “I was mistaken, sir. Please accept my apology. One of the penthouse suites is available after all."

 

"I thought it might be.” Mr. Montrose exhaled in another loud rush, his expression smug. “You should be more on top of things, Lenny."

 

"Yes sir.” Heat rose up Lenny’s throat and colored his cheeks. Eyes narrowed, he didn’t break eye contact with Mr. Montrose when he said, “The penthouse elevator bell just rang. If you hurry, I'm sure the people boarding will be kind enough to hold the doors open for you and the lady."

 

Seconds later Lenny recognized Mrs. Montrose’s outraged cry echo across the lobby. A slight smile curved his lips.

 

Bio: April Winters’ stories can be found at Linguistic Erosion, The Short Humour Site, and here at Short-Story.Me. Ms. Winters hopes her work will entertain readers and help them forget their troubles, if only for a little while.

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