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Weekly Contest #349
Dead on ArrivalAn Urban Legend from the Strength of OldBy Mark VanTassel Shamrock winced, then suppressed his heebie-jeebies. ‘Doctor, heal thyself,’ was a common phrase. Performing quality assurance on his own autopsy was something else entirely.The door to the morgue clicked. Shamrock flipped his flashlight off and waited for a few seconds; the image of the incision burned into his vision. He slipped away from the slab, trying to move quietly. From the far side of the room, he could see the doorway. Weak light came through the small pane...
Weekly Contest #205
Ritual By Mark VanTassel Metai crossed the field, careful not to touch the blood or body parts that dotted the hard packed clay. He found Buti at the far side, laying on his back. A spear had taken him in the neck, and a sword or knife had opened his belly. “Don’t worry, Brother,” Metai said. “I have you now.” He unfolded a large piece of linen and carefully rolled Buti into the cloth. For the final few wraps he included a couple of poles. Once the precious bundle was secure, he lifted the ends of the poles and started back to the vill...
Weekly Contest #204
CW: Sexual violence, substance abuse A History from the Strength of Old Erde Date: 976 (Earth 1951) “Did the saltpeter work?” Nell asked. Emily grimaced. “No.” “I worried it was a myth,” Nell said. “I don’t think we’ll find anything. Men conduct most research, and control the rest. They’re looking to enhance the male libido, not suppress it.” Emily nodded. “Thanks, Nell. Let me know if you find an alternative. How’s Gram?” “Weak, but in good spirits. She remembered me today, and fed herself.” “That’s good. I’m going to pop in...
Weekly Contest #203
What’s in a Name? By Mark VanTassel Lucky whistled while he worked. It was a beautiful day, his knives were sharp, and he had fresh meat to package. The shop was small, but it was his. There was a narrow area in front of the counter where customers could come in and see prime cuts, but only Lucky was allowed behind the counter. After all, we wouldn’t want someone to get hurt. He giggled at his favorite joke, about the butcher who backed into the meat grinder and got a little behind in his work. The meat was soft, and marbled with f...
Weekly Contest #202
On Whom We Lean A History from the Strength of Old By Mark VanTassel Erde Date: 1202 (Earth 2182) Karl wiped his eyes and turned from the mausoleum. Father Bebor patted his shoulder, and Karl gave him a sad squeeze of the elbow. It was … he couldn’t find a word to describe the depth of his confusion, anger, and remorse. If only he had stayed home. If only he had listened to Fritza when she said her head hurt. If only. If only… Father Bebor accompanied him home, and Karl was grateful for the other man’s silence. He lived across the ...
Weekly Contest #201
Content Warning: Language, Violence, Sexual Themes Punitive Stakeout A History from the Strength of Old By Mark VanTassel Erde Date: 999 (Earth 1979) The notes of ‘You Could be a Champion’ blared through the walls. Again. There were three of them trapped in this box. Rickard and Drexler were surveillance specialists. Chun was a senior field agent. At least he had been until last week, when Director Tbela demoted him to surveillance duty and placed Rickard over him. The apartment was six hundred square feet divided into a pair of ...
Shortlisted for Contest #200 ⭐️
A Rumor of Oilheads A Legend from the Strength of Old By Mark VanTassel Erde Date: 960 (Earth 1940) Breach hung head down, face to the darkness. His heart thudded, and between beats he listened. It was quiet tonight, and moonlight filtered down in streaks. He saw a fish hurry past, then a great tailfish followed. He wondered which would get what they wanted tonight--a meal, or another day. A crack from a nearby mountain rumbled through him, telling him that the firestone would hit the water again soon. When the news came, it was ...
Weekly Contest #199
Content warning: Language, threat of violence Meeting Chun A History from the Strength of Old By Mark VanTassel Date: 960 Annabeth carved the meat on the counter. It was half of a cow, and she loved that they had a butcher-block countertop to do her butchering on. Jhon would praise her for this. At least, he would praise her if she lived. Jhon was off to pick up a man, a new agent for their fledgling Bureau of Antiquities, and when he had departed for the airport he had forbidden her from carrying a weapon on his return. Particularly...
Weekly Contest #198
Graven A Legend from the Strength of Old By Mark VanTassel Date: 1 A cricket hit his head, then hopped away. It was far from what he wanted, but when you’re in prison you take what you can get, or you starve. Graven lunged forward and snapped up the cricket. It had an earthy, nutty flavor. He gagged, and his jailer giggled. Another creature landed in his cell, this time a spider. Graven tensed and forced himself forward. Spiders were nasty, but he had to eat. It was fat, black, and shiny, with a red hourglass on its belly. It promp...
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