James Pyles's Blog, page 178

Approaching Advent

The Second Chapter in the Undead Life of Sean Becker The following story contains “adult material,” so if that sort of thing offends you or is otherwise not your cup of tea, you should probably stop reading now. “Come on over and help decorate, Marishka.” Sean was helping several others in his dorm decorate their […]

The New Neighbors

“What do you think, Pumpkin?” “I think it’s totally awesome, Grandpa. Thank you so much for making it for me.” The other houses on the block had Christmas lights and nativity scenes, but six-year-old Aubrey loved Fairies, so he made her a Fairy Farm instead. She knelt down reviewing everything. “Here’s the chicken coop, the barn, […]

There Are Worse Things Than Being A Tourist

“But I was just explaining the subtleties of the brass and tortoise shell…” “It is forbidden, especially in English. We have paid guides and audioguides for that sort of thing, Mademoiselle. I must ask you and your party to leave.” The museum guard then called reinforcements and escorted Julia-Sophie Dansen and her American friends out […]

When Erica Walks in Darkness

Erica knew she had been down this corridor before but she couldn’t remember when. She wanted to stop, turn around, and go back the way she’d come, but she didn’t recall where she’d been before now. The corridor was cold but it felt warm ahead where the light was coming from. “Come now, Erica. Don’t […]

Stop Me From Falling

“It makes no sense to be falling…you’ve got her, I’ve got him, should not even be calling…” “It’s not a good idea for you to call me, Jonny. There’s someone else. If he finds out about you, he’ll kill you or worse.” “Then why did you give me your number?” “It was a mistake. I […]

Mistaken for Miracles

“I hate Christmas, Stefani. I’m not helping you put lights on this icy tree.” “You’re such a Scrooge, Austin. Christmas lights bring miracles. Don’t you believe that?” “I don’t believe anything. Let’s go inside, I’m cold.” “Brendan will help me.” Flirting always worked with Austin. “Oh, alright.” The two university students trudged back to the […]

The Beginning of the Fall

The First Chapter in the Undead Life of Sean Becker Running and out of breath, Sean Becker barely made it to the Embarcadero Station in time to get on the 6:13 train east. He was just another commuter ending another workday like the hundreds around him.  He couldn’t possibly imagine that tonight was the beginning of the end […]

The Protector

The Present “I’m gonna help you out Devon, but it’s the last time.” Devon Willis was recovering from a compound fracture of his right arm at Rush University Medical Center. He’d told the police that he’d gotten into a fight with three other guys. Didn’t want to identify them and didn’t want to press charges. […]

The Girl, The Unicorn, and Their Kitten

“Now you knew I had to grow up sometime, Marigold.” “Yes, but it all seemed to happen so fast, Phoebe.” Phoebe couldn’t actually see the unicorn, but that was just as well because she was driving South on Interstate 5 and unicorns are terribly distracting. “That’s what Mom and Dad said, too.” “But your parents […]

The Last Night at Freddy’s

“So what did you think, Grandpa?” “What did I think? Where did you hear about Five Nights at Freddy’s, Landon? The DanTDM YouTube videos were pretty scary.” “Grandpa, I’ve faced real magical danger with Buddy. This is only a game.” “Well, I guess so, but as old fashioned as I am, I don’t think this […]