Here is a list of all the authors flashing this week, along with a brief snippet from their latest free work. Click the link after the snippet to be taken to the complete story on the author’s home page.

Fortitude: Part Twenty-nine by Cia Nordwell 

“Damn it. Lower me down.” I looped the rope around my waist quickly and held tight. “Teddy?” I hurried over to him, and accidentally kicked the lamp. It was barely glowing. I reached down and sent a surge of energy into it, gasping at the painful drawing I hadn’t felt in a long time.

Evans Woodworking: Chapter 1 by Jim Dunaway;

Ethan walked into his workshop and looked around. He let out a contented sigh as he looked over the antique furniture waiting to be restored. Which one do I start with? He pondered. Evans Woodworking was well known throughout the state as the very best in furniture restoration. This was because Ethan Evans was the best. He had a great passion for his work and it showed. Although very humble in nature, he was simply the best and he knew it. He never let it affect him in any way other than the desire to continue to be the best.

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Finding North by Shelly Schulz

Rain was pissing down, unrelenting, soaking through his jacket. Muttering under his breath, Michael pulled a crumbled piece of paper from his pocket, peering at it in the dim light from a flickering street light. Looked up at the street sign, turned his collar up and slogged along the soggy pavement until he found the correct cross street. Turned down it, and then down the side alley as the note indicated. The bar was tucked away into the side of a building “Last Call Bar” spray painted in tilted black letters on the crumbling brick above a heavy steel door.

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Don’t Look Back #45 (9.2) by Julie Lynn Hayes

Marshall’s education came to a complete standstill for five long years. Always on the run, moving from town to town, lover to lover, Rhonda never bothered to enroll Marshall in school. She never stayed in one place long enough for the local authorities to notice. Once he and Lee were reunited, there was never a question of putting him back into the public school system. They continued as they had before, with Lee homeschooling Marshall. There was no library in Burnham, so they had to go to Tucker Falls for some of the books they needed. Others they purchased at a chain book store there. Lee made sure Marshall studied every subject, from history to math to science, English and Spanish. When Marshall expressed an interested in learning about computers, they found books on programming, and Marshall devoured them, revealing  a natural talent for the subject. Lee encouraged him to write his own programs, and was very proud of him.

Besides the things that could be learned from books, Lee didn’t neglect Marshall’s physical education. He took Marshall hunting and fishing. They went on long walks, and sometimes went to nearby state parks and hiked.  Marshall loved the time he spent with Lee. Just him and Lee and Mother Nature. He’d never been so happy.

 Demon Chapter Four by Nephy Hart

I hear when my bones snap and pain like I have never imagined washed over me. It is all I can do to prevent myself from vomiting. I thought I was prepared for this but I was a fool to think it. Tears blind me but I must not cry. I must not.

I hear voices but I cannot concentrate on what they are saying. It is enough to concentrate on breathing.

And then…. And then….

Golden light pours into me and washes away the pain. I breathe deeply again and as the light heals me, it brings something more.

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