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.
Buried treasure: Part 4 By Carol Pedroso
I woke with a start, my senses telling me I wasn’t alone in my room, or my bed for that matter. I slammed my shields up trying to remember what had happened the night before.
“You know it’s not nice to have the mental equivalent of the door slammed in your face this early in the morning!” Craig stated fairly calmly from the other side of the bed.
I started to remember parts of the previous day, I remembered the child dying and racing home. I remembered pushing passed Craig and falling into bed. I thought
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Sunrise by Victoria Adams
J’dol frowned as he looked at Kiry. Her ridiculous question of, What do you mean you were offered a wife?, seemed inappropriate in the conversation of death and plasma death bombs.
Sian tapped the patio table to draw everyone’s attention. “Before J’dol explains, does anybody want a drink? Coffee? Diet Coke? Lemonade? Beer?”
“I would like ale.” J’dol stood. “I will give you a hand.”
Relief swept through J’dol at being able to remove himself from this group of Sian’s family and friends and spend a quiet moment – alone – with Sian.
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Hope: Chapter 40 by Chris T. Kat
Shane brought his lips close to my ear and growled, “Stay here and do as I say.”
I swallowed, to force down the bile that rose up in my throat. What had happened to the Shane I knew? I whispered, “You know something? You frighten me.”
Shane withdrew before he audibly inhaled. “I’m sorry I frighten you, Gil. Just… just please listen to me. You don’t know the dangers that could await us.”
“There are more dangers than getting eaten by a large, black dragon?”
“The creatures that could be interested in us are all dangerous.”
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Double Trouble: Chapter 7 by Jon Keys
Trent grinned as he watched Benji crawl out of the latest ride the twins had talked him into. Danny and Sammy were both starting to get cranky, so Trent knew this was the last ride for the night. He looked at the other three and realized the kids weren’t the only ones that looked tired.
“Alright, everyone. It’s time to head for the hotel.” Danny started to whine about being forced to leave, and Trent smiled. “It’s definitely time to head out.”
He turned to thank Benji and was a little surprised at the look of disappointment. “I thought you’d be ready to get rid of four old guys and two rowdy kids.”
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Washed Out: Chapter One by Sarah Hayes
Samantha was wrist-deep in Riley’s Medusa-esque head of curls situated over the sink when the cell phone hanging off her hip began to play a mariachi cover of “Bohemian Rhapsody”, clashing with Les Belles Vagues Boutique’s aesthetic of overflowing potted plants and colorful tile art.
She didn’t pause in her current task of turning Riley’s hair into a bubbly mess of lather and oils. Riley felt her fingers continue to massage their way through his scalp. He could smell lemongrass and coconut and the occasional whiff of lavender wafting off the scented candles that Sonia insisted on lighting every business day.
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Love Across Time: Chapter 18 by Jim Dunaway
Duncan, however, was prepared for such an event. Pulling out his CompCom, he pulled up the Presidential Order forming the Timeline Preservation Commission. He scrolled down to the paragraph that have him absolute authority to inspect any travellator at any time, for any reason, including the prototype. “Now, do I have to get your boss down here, or are you going to let us into the control room?”
Reluctantly, the security guards separated, allowing them to pass through. One guard placed his hand on the scanner and unlocked the door to the control room, which was currently unoccupied.
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A Change of Scenery: Part 5 by Johayan
Pahana sat back allowed himself to relax for a few minutes. The last
few weeks had been a blur of working all night and the teaching sessions
with this Spirit Teacher. The only thing that had changed is that he
hadn’t returned to the Daily Drip since his encounter with Seamus.
He hadn’t been himself at work either. As a go-go dancer in a shower
enclosure that misted him with warm water, the customers couldn’t touch
him. They could easily watch him put on a show with the stripper pole
and tip him for his antics. Throughout the last week, he’d just not been
feeling the music the same way and he found himself searching the crowd
for Seamus.
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My Rugged Rescuer by Avery Dawes
Jensen shoved the empty energy gel packet into his jersey pocket before shifting into an easier gear. This was the last climb before he hit the twisting descent that would take him back toward Ruidoso. He glanced at his handlebar-mounted GPS computer and grinned. At the pace he was pedaling, he would set a personal record for this forty-mile loop. Even though his legs burned with exertion, he stood on the pedals and pushed harder, tackling the first switchback.
He couldn’t imagine a better way to start the day. The mountains seemed fresh and alive after last night’s thunderstorm . . .
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To Touch the Sky: #3.2 by M.A. Church
“No point in beating round the bush.”
“I heard that. Why don’t we spend some more time here and see if we got anything going on?”
Simon nodded his head. “Sounds like a plan.”
Simon enjoyed the conversation, and even admitted Douglas was someone he could not only date, but also be friends with since they shared so many interests. He was smart, and the longer they talked, the more Simon relaxed. Hell, if this thing didn’t work out, maybe he’d introduce Chip to Douglas.
After they finished their drinks, Douglas invited Simon to play a game of pool. With a devious smile, Simon accepted.
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Rattletrap #7 by Tali Spencer
“Killing you is still an option.” Ussim spoke softly but without menace. Even so, Jedd flinched at the Ghis commander’s words. “That is not what I prefer. Consider this: I could have killed your crew, and you also, when you were incapacitated by the psi bomb. And before leaving human space, I could have loaded you all into a bay and opened the doors, ejecting you into the void.”
“Or you could have put us in the shuttles and left us safely in our own space.” The shuttles had communications and they could have called for help.
“Why would I do that?”
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Aesthetics of Invention: Part 3 by Ravon Silvius
Thorn paused outside the gates of the magi collegium, the air biting with the memory of winter frost. The light of the moon overhead, which had illuminated his way through the forest, seemed dim now in the face of the glowing orbs that marked the presence of magi.
He loved Kenneth. He would be an Enforcer, even if he wasn’t entirely clear on what that meant. But sometimes, like now, he still felt very out of place.
He kept his hat pulled low and his gloves on as he entered the building, finding his way through the now-familiar halls to Kenneth’s room.
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Don’t Look Back #7 by Julie Lynn Hayes
Marshall and Lee’s sexual relationship didn’t begin until Marshall turned eighteen. Lee’s choice, not Marshall’s. He wanted to be with Lee sooner, but Lee refused.
“Gotta crawl before you can walk,” he’d said in his laconic way. Marshall didn’t even understand what that meant, but his objections got him nowhere. He considered himself lucky Lee didn’t punish him for his smart mouth, not to mention some of the comments he’d let loose with. But he’d been allowed some leeway. At least on this one point. Marshall still had to toe the line in all other ways.
So Marshall had to content himself with studying the subject of male love on the Internet, while he waited—although somewhat impatiently—to come of age.
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Lost Inside: Chapter 32 by Cia Nordwell:
Yuri was limp as a doll, letting Benny manipulate his arms into a shirt. His anger was gone, and in its place was a man scared as hell and getting worse by the minute.
“He hurt me.”
“I know. We won’t let it happen again.”
“With needles. I don’t like needles.” He shivered. Benny pulled him into his arms and hugged him.
“No more needles.”
“No more time,” the Falcon hissed. “Can we get the hell out of here? My men are tired of circling overhead. The air isn’t great for flying tonight.”
“I won’t tell you again.” Benny glared
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Jordan’s Second Chance 4.1 by TC Collins
“Damn it! I’m getting real tired of these games!” Jordan swore. His fingers encased the cordless phone in a death grip.
“Daddy? What’s the matter? Are you mad?” Lucas asked, sitting up from his slouched position on the couch.
Jordan smiled and knelt down in front of Lucas, tousling his hair. “No son, I’m not mad. Daddy just has a really big problem that he needs to solve.”
Lucas bounced on his seat, grinning. “Daddy you always tell me the only way to beat a problem is to face it head on.”
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More than Music: Part 2 by Elyzabeth M. VaLey
His friend shrugged in an attempt to hide the pain that flashed through his eyes.
“A speechless, Dylan. That’s new.” Mac shook his head. “Get some rest, Dyl. We’re back on the road tomorrow.”
“No. You’re not leaving.” Dylan grasped Mac’s hand and pulled. “I have feelings for you too,” he blurted.
A crease appeared between Mac’s eyes and he crossed his arms over his chest.
“Are you drunk?”
“Do I look fucking drunk?” He stepped back in anger, staring up at Mac while running his fingers through his hair in frustration. Mac looked down at him, confusion written all over his face.
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Wednesday Briefs 