James Pyles's Blog, page 182
November 1, 2017
The Reconstructed Woman
Mikiko Jahn never forgot that she was no longer human, although the casual or even careful observer would hardly notice. She was what Professor Daniel Hunt once referred to as “the happy accident” (he hadn’t realized she was listening when he said it). The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster was a lot more severe […]
Inner Light
It was a great disappointment to Aaron’s Bubbe when Mom and Dad stopped being observant. The boy only got to see Zaide and Bubbe when he visited them in Brooklyn on summer vacation. Every day, Zaide had many visitors, people of his community who had questions, family problems, money problems. Zaide was always cheerful, no […]
October 31, 2017
Halloween 2017: The Stalker
Last year I participated in a Halloween writing contest at Theme of Absence. I didn’t win, but my story The Stalker was subsequently published. Because October 31st is upon us once again, I thought I would present the beginning here and then a link to the full tale below. Enjoy. The girl panicked when she […]
Halloween 2017: Rising of the Ancient
I originally wrote this over a year ago and thought it might be appropriate to present it again, this been Halloween and all. Remember, on Halloween, not everything is as it seems. Adam and Sarah Hartley cautiously began their descent into the tomb. The illumination from their flashlights revealed the ancient stone steps leading down […]
October 30, 2017
The Goddess Stones
Everyone thought Rich and Francesia were crazy to spend their honeymoon hiking in a remote part of the Andes in Bolivia, but to them it was a thrilling prospect, that is until they got lost. The travel agent in Cochabamba strongly urged them to hire a guide, but the two had hiked some of the most […]
Stones in the Forest
You got me out here to see a pile of cement, Jeremy?” “I tell you there’s something inside the concrete.” “If this is what you brought me out here for…” Fifteen-year-old Jill turned in a huff but her age-mate Jeremy grabbed her arm. Everyone thought they were dating, but they’d been best friends since second grade and they still […]
October 29, 2017
Just Walk Right In
“So, you think we should just walk right in?” “Why not? The invitation seems pretty clear.” “Look, I’m not all that sure about this ‘invitation’ business. After all, we’ve just got this one guy’s word for it. “Yeah, but he worshiped the boss for like twenty-five years. He should know what he’s talking about.” “Okay, […]
Your Pumpkin is an Invitation for Demons
Oy. Here comes Halloween again and tons of controversies seem to be surrounding the event this year. First off, I should mention I don’t celebrate Halloween for the most part. On the evening of October 31st, my wife and I make sure all the doors are locked, we close all of the window shutters, and turn […]
The Halloween Bandits
On Tuesday, October 31st at 11:57 a.m., Batman, the Joker, and Harley Quinn entered Gordon’s Community Bank on the corner of Elm and Broadway. Bank employees had been seeing “the cosplay crowd” filtering in and out all morning long and it was pretty amusing. That is until the Joker handed the teller a note and […]
October 28, 2017
Abandoning the Dead
Reverend Percy finally convinced the Church of England to relocate the Mission to the Solomons, ostensibly to be closer to the population of focus. “Leaving our company now, Reverend?” A familiar voice chuckled from the darkness. “I have no power here to dispel your kind, even in the name of Jesus Christ.” “Your Savior won’t […]
