James Pyles's Blog, page 158
April 10, 2018
Dark Mirror
When Chance Bailey returned to his deceased father’s estate, he found nothing but refuse and rubble. The woman he had a “chance” encounter with in that dive bar on the wharf had been his long-lost sister, and she had taken the bulk of the old man’s wealth, which should have been their shared inheritance. Now […]
April 9, 2018
The Pit Fiend Promise
The lady in the black satin dress walked into the bar because of the Pit Fiend Promise she had made. Except for the cocktail waitresses, she was the only woman in the place, and the men all turned to watch her walk in. Some obviously thought she had incredible assets both below the hemline and the […]
April 8, 2018
An Unlikely Seagull
Sixteen year old Jeff would do anything, even go to the zoo with his parents and brothers, rather than deal with Suzanna’s jealousy. He had to turn off the ringtone and vibrate features on his iPhone and block the SMS service so she couldn’t call or text him. At first, he thought he was going […]
The Too Close Encounter
Captain Isaiah Morrison, for such had he once been called, late of the Confederate States Army, having found himself without a home or family, thanks to that damned Yankee Major General William Sherman and his “Scorched Earth policy,” had spent these past ten years in the Territories of the untamed West prospecting for gold (among other activities). […]
April 7, 2018
Return to Cowra
Hands trembling slightly, the middle-aged Japanese man walked into the bar at the Billinudgel Hotel. “What’ll it be, Sir?” “A beer. Whatever you have on tap.” She selected a glass and filled it with liquid amber topped with a healthy froth. “There you go. Name’s Marge. You’re not the usual guest we get around here.” […]
April 5, 2018
The Uneasy Pact
Dani was with the Davidson children, all of them dressed regally if somewhat uncomfortably, sitting under a grand silken tent, served drink and treats by elven servants, while the Queen of Direhaven, Janellize, sat in front of them next to the golden dragon Shay, the two of them marvelously displayed against the backdrop of a magnificent waterfall. […]
When Science is Wrong
“Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen. My name is Dr. Eric Sandersen, Director of Climate Studies at the American Foundation of Science Awareness. My studies of climatic changes due to atmospheric pollutants based on a half-century of data compiled by my department have shown conclusively that the Earth is headed toward an imminent and catastrophic ice […]
April 4, 2018
The Next Treasure Dive
She was waiting for them when the two men pulled into the sports center’s parking lot in Pitt’s 1948 Model 135 Delahaye. It was a cool, cloudy Sunday in early April and Arvada’s annual kite festival was on the verge of being rained out. “You sure know how to travel in style, Mr. Pitt.” The […]
The Ghost of the Montreal Symphony House
The Montreal Symphony House had been built less than a decade before, but something much older was there. It caused the ornate lighting to sway and cell coverage was always spotty. His name used to be Erik, and his spirit was first manifest in Paris over a century ago. After departing from there, he has […]
April 3, 2018
Returning to Life
They seemed just two more Asian tourists sitting on a bench watching the ferry at Angel Island. “When did you die here?” During her lifetime, she would never have asked such as direct question of a man, but death is very liberating. “1899.” He was staring at the ferry and the multinational conglomeration of visitors, […]
