Search the Community

As some know, I've been asked many times if we can redo past anthology themes. Since normally we don't use the same themes more than once, it was decided to do a special anthology using all of the Pre-2016 anthology themes, which we decided to call: Rewind. Authors could choose any past theme they wanted and write a 5,000 - 25,000 word story. Six authors took up the challenge and we now have a twelve story anthology for you, just in time for Christmas. Which seems fitting since there are a couple of Christmas stories in there! All authors who participated in the anthology were entered into a drawing as part of the author incentives. The winner gets to choose which prize they would like: 1 Month Premium Membership 1 Month Ad Space - This can be used for a GA story, a published story, or your story collection $5 Credit to the GA ebook store And the winner is Headstall (Pm me with your prize choice) On top of author incentives, we want to encourage readers to read and review the anthology entries. For each story a reader reviews, they will get one entry into the drawing. Reviews need to be more than just a "great story" or "I liked this". Share your thoughts with the author and you could win one of the following prizes: 1 Month Premium Membership $5 Credit to the GA ebook store If you'd like to better your chances, write me a blog review (200-500 words) on your favorite story from the anthology and I'll give you an extra 2 entries! Readers will have until January 6th to review stories and/or write a blog review. The winner will be announced in the Weekly Wrap Up on January 8th. Now, let's see what the authors came up with! (The original theme name has been included in italics) Bill's Christmas Gift comicfan Christmas Boxed In: A Christmas Story Headstall Blizzard / Christmas Daddy Issues Sasha Distan Friends & Enemies Faeries Anonymous Valkyrie Fairy Tales Family Matters Sasha Distan I'd Never Do That Finding Refuge Headstall Scars Maelstrom Valkyrie Blizzard Stepping Through the Mirror Headstall Living In The Shadows / Fairy Tales The Legend of Treehaven Woods Valkyrie Legend Trade Deals Sasha Distan A Night To Remember Voli Me Tangere aditus Fairy Tales / Ending & Beginnings Waiter. Waiter Cazpedroso A Night To Remember 2016 Special Anthology Support Team Anthology Coordinator Renee Stevens Tech Support AJ Proof Team Cia Rec Valkyrie craftingmom Parker Owens Anthology Banner Creation Mann Ramblings

Hope everyone is ready for some new stories and poems! We had a great turnout for this anthology, and we have 17 new stories/poems for you to enjoy. If you checked out the "Double Check" post, you already know which authors and stories we have for you, but don't worry, I'll include them here as well! Before we get to that, we have a couple of things to take care of. In order to encourage authors to participate in the anthologies, we came up with some author incentives. All authors who participate in the anthology will be entered into a drawing. The winner gets to choose which prize they would like: 1 Month Premium Membership 1 Month Ad Space - This can be used for a GA story, a published story, or your story collection $5 Credit to the GA ebook store And the winner is Defiance19 (Pm me with your prize choice) On top of author incentives, we want to encourage readers to read and review the anthology entries. For each story a reader reviews, they will get one entry into the drawing. Reviews need to be more than just a "great story" or "I liked this". Share your thoughts with the author and you could win one of the following prizes: 1 Month Premium Membership $5 Credit to the GA ebook store If you'd like to better your chances, write me a blog review (200-500 words) on your favorite story from the anthology and I'll give you an extra 2 entries! Readers will have until November 26th to review stories and/or write a blog review. The winner will be announced in the Weekly Wrap Up on November 27th. Now let's see what stories we have for you!!! A Blind Spirit Emi GS A Gift for Mom Emi GS Angel and Imp: Where Angels Fear to Tread Timothy M Death Left Forgotten Cia Dirty Pool Headstall Finding the Line craftingmom His Father's Son Defiance19 Khalid and Kalil AC Benus Kisses CassieQ Lost and Found Valkyrie Oliver aditus Out of the Blue Puppilull Poetry Saga FA2016 Emi GS Reality Dreaming William King Stained Cole Matthews The Coroner's Lament Defiance19 The Unforgettable and the Unexpected jfalkon 2016 Fall Anthology Support Team Anthology Coordinator Renee Stevens Tech Support AJ Proof Team Cia Rec Valkyrie craftingmom Parker Owens Anthology Banner Creation Mann Ramblings

Hey authors! If you submitted a story to the anthology, please make sure it's listed below. If it's not, PM me! And hey, if you didn't submit a story for the anthology, then here's your chance for a sneak peek at what author's you will see when the anthology goes live. Hope everyone has a great weekend!!! Yes, the links for the stories are included, but alas, you'll still have to wait to read em because the stories haven't gone live yet A Blind Spirit Emi GS A Gift for Mom Emi GS Angel and Imp: Where Angels Fear to Tread Timothy M Death Left Forgotten Cia Dirty Pool Headstall Finding the Line craftingmom His Father's Son Defiance19 Khalid and Kalil AC Benus Kisses CassieQ Lost and Found Valkyrie Oliver aditus Out of the Blue Puppilull Poetry Saga FA2016 Emi GS Reality Dreaming William King Stained Cole Matthews The Coroner's Lament Defiance19 The Unforgettable and the Unexpected jfalkon

I hope everyone is ready for some new reading!!! To help you get over those hump day blues, we have 9 brand new stories for your enjoyment. The theme for the anthology was Crossing the Line and there are some great takes on the theme. Hopefully you enjoy the stories and don't forget to leave the authors a like, and a review to let them know what you think. A Bad Day to be WET Myr “Calculations are complete,” Aegis reported. “And how did we do with that last one?” Bill asked dryly. “We did much better.” Bill chuckled. “One more jump do you think?” Aegis paused a moment. “That would appear likely, sir.” “Okay. I’m setting jump coordinates for Neptune Test Point Charlie.” Continue >> A Hazard Taken Parker Owens Daniel Akindele stared numbly at the wreckage of the fancy hotel room. The remains of a sandwich still sat on the coffee table, uneaten. An unopened gift, pressed into Daniel's hands as they left their small wedding celebration – their very own wedding reception – atop a small suitcase. The silk sheets on the bed lay wildly disarrayed as he and his beloved Ibrahim – Ibi - had left them. As they had made love – and then slept in them. Now federal Immigration agents bustled about the room, searching, for what, he couldn't possibly guess. Where was Ibi? Where were they taking him? Continue >> Full Disclosure Renee Stevens Dom leapt over the fallen tree trunk, barely even breaking his stride. He missed having Landon at his side during a hunt, but his best friend had told him to go without him. It wasn’t the first time, and Dom was beginning to worry. Landon seemed to have been pulling away from him lately, and he still wasn’t sure why. He didn’t think he’d like the answer and so he hadn’t asked. A heavy weight slammed into him and sent him colliding with a tree. A sharp pain in his side spoke of possibly broken ribs. Dom managed to stagger to his feet, still reeling from the blow, and struggled to catch his breath. He’d barely made it back on four paws when he was hit again, sending him back to the ground with another wolf looming over him. Continue >> Guarding the Line craftingmom He was in charge of holding the line. His comrades in arms were doing their best to hold off the offensive moves of the Raiders, but he was the last line of defense. Brady's sharp eyes cut to his right for only a moment. Ryan. He knew exactly where he was. Waiting. Cheering. For him. His heart thundered in his chest. Ryan. He didn't know what it was about the new kid, but Brady couldn't stop thinking about him. The shy teen had pushed every one of the desires Brady had kept carefully hidden behind the threshold of his virtual closet for the last few years. Desires he was sure his friends wouldn't approve of, would ridicule him for. He felt a pang of regret every time Ryan's eyes flickered with a moment of hope that Brady saw him as more than just a friend. But that was all they could ever be. Continue >> Mixed Emotions The Eminent MGK I had stridden strength, holding her, entire night. Until the morning, it was like a fight. Pacing alone, I was worried so high. They had said, they'd try whatever they might. Continue >> Obsession Valkyrie His movements were languid and smooth, as he posed like one born to the modeling profession. His golden hair shone in the midday sunlight, tousled by the breeze like an intent hairstylist. He had no formal training but didn’t need it. The upturn of his mouth, eye contact at just the right moment, sculpted body at just the right angle—he oozed sensuality with no effort on his part. I don’t think he had any idea of the effect he had on people. Passersby of both sexes frequently gave him a second look. He carried himself with a heady mixture of innocence and raw sexuality with the way he dressed in flattering and fashionable clothes and the way he interacted with others and the camera. It was intoxicating just to be in his presence. The click of my camera was as regular as my pulse when I was around him. My heart stuttered in time with the shutter when he smiled directly into the lens and into my soul. We were meant to be together. I knew it just as surely as I drew breath. Continue >> The Epicure Cole Matthews I looked over at the hospital room door again. Two uniformed officers were talking in hushed tones. I didn't know what they were discussing and frankly, I doubted they knew much. I took the report I'd just read and placed it back into the folder and slid it into my leather computer bag. I glanced down at the newspaper on my lap and picked it up. Rifling through it, I came upon the section of the Minneapolis Mercury-Times I wanted. It wasn't something I usually read. I liked the sports section, the comics, and occasionally the regional news. I never perused the lifestyle section and most assuredly not the food columns. Continue >> Worthy Cia Ebodar gasped. “You didn’t go out there alone, did you, verl?” He had a name, though none had used it since his mark appeared shortly after he was born. He remembered it, though he’d only heard it said in a whisper his mother had shared in his ear when she’d see him struggling. It had been too many years since she passed, and it was hard not to resent the way even that had been taken from him. Sudal wouldn’t forget the name she’d given him although all those important gave up their identities to the clan. Sudal’s father, as the leader of their clan, was addressed only as Lord. Continue >> Zaidu aditus The fire crackles in the background, but its warmth doesn’t reach him. Standing in the cave’s entrance, his gaze wanders unseeingly over dense forest. Long-forgotten memories have assaulted him: a walled garden, green leaves whispering in the early morning breeze, and the cries and giggles of his siblings somewhere in the house. But not the name his mother called him. Not her face. Just a faint scent...jasmine? His hand involuntarily clenches into a fist, and he turns his face toward the slight breeze coming in from the sea hidden behind the green. Continue >> 2016 Spring Anthology Support Team Anthology Coordinator Renee Stevens Tech Support AJ Proof Team Cia Rec Valkyrie Johnathan Colourfield Anthology Banner Creation Cia

It's hard to believe that the year is almost over! With the end of the year comes our final 2015 Anthology. The theme for the Winter Anthology was Blackout, and ten authors took the challenge. There are some different takes to the stories and we hope that you enjoy them. Don't forget, if you enjoy a story, leave the author a little note (via review) to let them know how much you appreciate their work! To get you started, here's a brief snippet of each entry. Happy reading everyone! 08:15 AM Redux aditus Romeo was over an hour late. No texts. No messages. And he had forgotten his keys left on the kitchen table. Julian flicked his finger against the little cake pendant. He had found it on Etsy and immediately bought it. A deceptively realistic slice of strawberry cheesecake, with red sauce dripping down its sides. The whole evening he had been feeling inexplicably on edge. When the doorbell rang, he breathed out in relief. Finally! Snatching the key chain, he ran into the hall. Ripping the door open, he grinned. Romeo didn't need to know he had been worried. “Someone forgot their k…” But the smile froze on his face when he saw Ren. Burning Bright Renee Stevens Oh god, not again. I clenched the steering wheel as the first twinges of pain hit. Maybe I could still make it home before the throbbing started. I’d really hoped the new medication would prevent my migraines. They had for the most part, but occasionally one still managed to slip through the cracks. The fuzziness in my vision had been my first indication that a migraine was looming. The colorful zigzag pattern started at the edges of my vision and proceeded to work its way inward, until they multiplied and blurred even more of my vision. It made it impossible to see clearly, and the only respite from the distorted vision was to close my eyes. Christmas Starlight C. When As we passed through the decorated market, lit by the orange glow of ancient lights that simulated ‘sunset’, Marius dragged me across the ‘town square’ at the center of the market past the tall pine tree that grew there, and around the small tables toward the ancient collections stall located against the far wall of the Market Bay. We weaved our way through the throngs of families with children dashing about, the various people surrounding stalls, haggling for the best price, the lines at the food stalls, and others just looking for some excitement. The various stalls had small decorations for the holiday to draw attention to their secondhand and recycled wares. At one stand, a woman was trying to trade a small shirt for a larger one while holding on to a young growing child's hand. Day and Night Drew Espinosa Going to Adam’s, I’ll be back by 9. Love you. The message sent, Luke quickly put away his phone after making sure once more that a teacher wasn’t in sight. With a sigh of relief, he closed his locker and with everything in tow, made his way to the main entrance. Autumn had finally set in, the trees were now mostly bare and most of the leaves had finally dispersed, with some colorful patches still seen here and there. With the afternoon sun shining so brightly, Luke hoped it might be a warm day. But after stepping outside the school’s main doors, a cold breeze blew past him. Luke wisely zipped up his sweater and after adjusting his backpack, placed his hands in his pockets. Escape Valkyrie My head hurt like a son-of-a-bitch. I groaned and sat up, only to immediately lie back down due to the shooting daggers of pain exploding through my skull. What the hell did I do last night? And where the hell was I? I was lying on the floor, as my back was very clearly letting me know. I sat up much more slowly this time, and opened one of my eyes, then the other one. It was pitch black, wherever I was. The pain in my head lessened to a dull ache. My body felt like it’d been run over by a freight train. I tried to remember the last thing I did, but felt a surge of panic as I realized I had no memory. As in none. I didn’t even remember my name. I fished in my pocket, relieved to find my cell phone. I turned it on, wincing from the bright light slicing through the impenetrable ink. Falling Cia “No, no, no.” The junk ship assigned to me had parts shaking loose every time I landed, but during my last furlough, it’d supposedly gone through a thorough diagnostic and repair. From the outside, well… it still looked like a rusty pile of shit, but nothing had been dangling from damaged hinges or loose wires for once. “Fucking Anslough.” He was the lead mechanic. I’d blown him once and then let him suck me off, but his skills had been on par with his repair abilities; I should have known better—on both counts. Now I was about to crash on an uncharted planet in an unresponsive ship. Hard. I banged on the panel with my fist, and the display lit up once, flickered… then went black. My internal links didn’t work, the backup system was down, the engines unresponsive, and I couldn’t even close the external viewport screens. Lights On! aditus Black out – Lights on! Seeing what is veiled By the dark. Prying Ears craftingmom "... come on, dude, you have to go..." Colt paused as he passed by Ryan's door. He smiled at the voice of his son's new friend, Trent, from down the street. It had taken Ryan a couple of months before he'd even talk to any of the other teens who played basketball at the neighborhood court. Ryan had come a long way since he'd moved in with Colt and Shane, but he still had a ways to go. Colt knew Trent was a decent kid, having met his parents at several of their block parties. Trent had caught Ryan watching their pick-up basketball games several times, and even though Ryan had tried to avoid the boy, Trent had been determined to draw him out. Storm Survivors Carlos Hazday The intermittent rain had begun late the previous evening. As Jessie eased the skiff away from the dock, there had been no sunrise to enjoy―gray clouds blanketed the sky. Heading out on the Guana River, the young man kept glancing towards the west, where the darkness above him appeared to expand with each passing minute. His furrowed brow hinted at the growing apprehension the Texan was experiencing; this one was going to be a big one. The frequency of periods with precipitation and gusting winds steadily increased, as he used the fishing net to retrieve each catch. An hour or so after setting out, Jessie decided it was best he remove himself from the path of the intensifying storm. It was time to return to the environmental station building which had become home to him, Lars, and Aitor over the previous year. The Embers Cole Matthews I stood in the entryway of the restaurant, rather disgusted by what I was witnessing. A cook was in clear view in the kitchen window picking his nose. He was really digging in there, and had a haunted, almost vacant look on his scruffy face. I wanted to turn around and walk away, but I couldn’t. For some reason, this place had drawn me. "Can I help you?" a woman's voice diverted my attention. She was in her late teens, possibly early twenties, and still had a rash of angry acne on her cheeks. Her impossibly blonde hair with telltale brown roots was tied back in a ponytail. Her white shirt had light pink stains on the sides and arms, and her black apron was crusty and smeared with something white and pasty. The Light Headstall He stood in nothingness. Mired. It was an endless void… limbo… and somehow, he knew that. But he was also aware there was a defined path. A direction beckoned, like a pull on his cells, urging him, no, commanding him to obey. He wasn’t supposed to have a choice. He understood that too. Could he accept this new reality? Could he let go? He should be pleased the debilitating pain was gone, yet what it signified was worse, wasn’t it? Yes. His awareness grew, and fed his conviction. He’d be leaving something precious and irreplaceable behind if he took the fated course, the artery he could feel pulsing beneath his feet. Sight wasn’t needed here, though he still possessed functioning eyes, for he could see a light in the distance. It was a heavenly orb that flared gold on the outer edges. The center, though, was the purest white… a revelation that drew him. He had to look away. The power of that light, its beauty and its call, were too strong, too insistent. A siren? A promise? Another chance? He didn’t care. He wasn’t ready. Dammit. He needed time. 2015 Winter Anthology Support Team Anthology Coordinator Renee Stevens Proof Team Cia Valkyrie Johnathan Colourfield Anthology Banner Creation Mann Ramblings

I know a lot of people have been looking forward to the release of the Fall Anthology. Luckily, the wait is over! Sixteen stories have now been released for your enjoyment. I hope you find something you enjoy and don't forget to leave the author's a review to let them know what you think of their work! Thank you to all the Authors and their teams, the Anthology Proof Team for giving the stories a final polish, AJ for his Tech help, and Mann Ramblings for the Anthology banner! 9:05 PM aditus Julian watched the high rises on the other side of the street. A few bright rectangles here and there showed some people still at work. Or they'd forgotten to turn off the lights. It was Friday night. Everyone should be at home with family or at some bar with friends or at an expensive Italian restaurant celebrating their one-year anniversary… No, no, not going there. Lights…right. The cleaning crew going through the offices? No. Julian’s analytical mind discarded the idea immediately. Then the whole floor would be lit. Angel or Human? comicfan The alarm breaks the silence of the room, although I am already awake. I reach out and turn it off. All it really means is I have to get up and go to work, nothing I really enjoy, but it is a necessary evil like most things in my life. It is hard to pretend and go through life acting like everyone else, when your own life is totally screwed up. However, that is the normal state of being for someone like me. My parents long ago blurred the line between good and evil, normal and superior, angelic and humanity. After all, I am the proof those two didn’t follow the rules. When an angel and a mortal have a child, their child is called a Nephilim. See, there is good and bad to being a Nephilim. The good being, we can detect lies and have a burning desire to help those in need; the bad, we are always being looked for by the Fallen to switch sides and help drag humanity down. Like all who live, we are neither black nor white, but all of us are really just shades of gray. Backroom Deals Bill W As soon as the Supreme Court announced its decision that the right to marry was protected under the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, social conservative heads began to explode. Not literally of course, but they couldn't believe they had lost this battle and hadn't gotten their way, so now all people had the right to marry whomever they chose. How were they going to live with this decision and were they now going to be forced to accept gays totally? The day after this historic decision, social conservative think tanks began to ponder this very issue. Was the war concerning this topic now over and they had to abide by this decision, or did they still have other options to pursue? I'm not saying this was what transpired at each of those meetings, but I believe it gives a fair account and representation of what might have taken place at the various discussions. Ember Days Dolores Esteban “This old mansion looks like a palace in a fantasy movie,” Sally said to her husband as they ascended the stairs to the wide entrance of the hotel. “Uh,” Sally cried out when she stumbled. Her husband, Tom, jumped forward to stop her from falling down the stairs. Sally took a deep breath and smoothed down her jacket. “A broken step,” Tom said, pointing at the step, then took another bite of the turkey sandwich that he had bought in a diner on their way to the hotel. Exhaling the Past craftingmom Fuck. The damn kid was there again. It figured. I sighed as I dropped my head back against the headrest, wondering again just what the hell I was thinking. It had been several days since he'd been brought in. And, while I'd made my decision then, there was the hope that maybe the kid had gotten scared and gone home. No such luck. Or maybe it was actually really lucky, depending on how you looked at it. My captain was going to have my head for what I was going to do though. But hell, the kid just looked so much like... Glimpses in Time Bill W "Jason, what's wrong? You got some lovely gifts for your birthday, but you don't look happy," his mother observed, while looking down at the frown on her son's face. "I didn't want this stupid truck, that dumb fishin' game or any of that other stuff," he snapped back, not at all happy. "I said I wanted a Barbie and a Disney Princess Songs Palace." "I know, but Daddy thought you'd like these too," she offered with as much sympathy as she could muster. "Your sister will let you play with her Barbie, so you don't need more." Hidden Agenda Bill W "Let's face it, the educational system and unions are the two biggest factors affecting our bottom line," Jim bemoaned as he sat down with a bunch of similar minded individuals for dinner. "I can see why you listed the unions, because whenever a large number of individuals join together they gain greater influence and power, so they become more difficult to deal with. The thing is, I'm confused about why you added education too," George stated and his puzzled expression emphasized the point. "Don't we need a fairly intelligent workforce in order to keep our businesses functioning smoothly?" Impossible Situation Bill W I had a problem and didn't know what to do about it. To be more accurate, most of my family had the same problem, but no matter what we did in an attempt to resolve the issue, nothing worked. To put it simply, each of my siblings and I were dealing with the same conundrum, and it was how to escape our father's obsessive and domineering nature. You see, my father was a super control freak who wanted to manipulate his family like a bunch of marionettes. At home this meant my mother, my other siblings and myself, because none of us dared to do anything without his knowledge or approval. He had each of us under his thumb so tightly that it was difficult for any of us to even breathe without his permission. The only time we were out from under his authoritarian grip was when we were at school, but the principal and teachers knew what he expected and acted in proxy for him. If we were to vary even slightly from his prescribed course of behavior, one of them would immediately report our transgressions to him, and we'd be severely punished. It's Only Natural AC Benus The ring was still too small. However, that fact could hardly come as a surprise to him after all these years of wearing it. The daydreaming man squinted at his manual task, and suddenly saw all too clearly this kind of thing had been happening to him his whole life. He had the perfect metaphor within his grasp as he stood at the kitchen counter. Every morning since he started to drink this kind of coffee, his cup would be a little too full and he'd have to pour some off. Somehow experience never rose to the level of being able to alter expectations, so he eventually gave up estimating the perfect amount of water to heat for the freeze-dried crystals of his instant caffeine. He told himself he was content to pour the excess of his mistake down the drain. Morton's Fork Cole Matthews “I’m dating the quarterback of the football team,” the teen said, smirking at Ben. “His name is Dez, and he’s such a stud.” The paralegal smiled back and nodded. “That’s terrific, Clay. When did that start?” “A few weeks ago. He finally asked me to the fall homecoming dance,” Clay said, clasping his hands in front of him excitedly. “We’ve been flirting and stuff and it happened. He’s the man of my dreams.” “That’s awesome,” Ben said. “I hope he’s good for you.” He looked around his boyfriend’s living room nervously. He was supposed to stay with Rush for the weekend. It had shocked him when Clay Taukkala, the kid from Boy River, answered the man’s door. “When did Rush say he’d be back?” Out of Focus Bill W Every morning I'm confused when I look into the mirror Because the face staring back isn't what I expect to see No! I can't be that person, it just doesn't seem possible He looks more like my grandfather, but that's not how I feel Tail to Tell comicfan Marcus had gotten up while it was still dark, grabbed his surfboard and wet suit, and then headed out to his car to head to the beach. He hoped to get his wave of the day shortly after sunrise. “Good morning, Long Island. This is Danny K, bringing you the news this morning. First on the list is a violent storm that’s due in shortly after day break today. High winds and violent thunderstorms are expected. All beaches are due to be closed down as riptides and strong currents are expected. A fire in—” Marcus turned off the radio and hurried down the highway to the beach. He knew if he got there before the dawn, chances were damn good that he could get a few rides in before the patrols caught him and forced him off the beach. The Welcome Home Valkyrie “It’s time for me to go. Kevin told me so.” The old man’s voice was low, and his breathing labored. “Don’t say that, Great-Grandpa. Stay… I don’t want you to go.” The boy’s face twisted with the effort of holding back his tears. “Ninety-three years is enough, buddy. It’s time to go be with Grampy. He needs me.” The boy hugged his great-grandfather tightly, sobbing into his chest. “But I love you, and I’ll miss you. We need you, too.” Walking the Line Valkyrie “I’ll see your fifty and raise you a hundred.” I slid the money to the center of the table and sat back in my chair. I had a great poker face, and did my best to maintain it. I knew Josie well enough to know she was bluffing. I intended to call that bluff, no matter how much it cost me. The other four players folded in rapid succession, leaving only my best friend and me left in the round. She narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing my face for any ‘tells’. I raised an eyebrow. “Well? In or out?” “In. You’re bluffing.” She added another hundred to the pile of money in the center of the table. “Ok, show ‘em, big shot.” I grinned as I spread my cards out face up. “Full house. Read ‘em and weep.” I reached for the money, sure of my victory. What's Real To Me thecalimack We sat down on a bench in the park, enjoying the cool breeze as the sun set. The leaves were dancing all around us as they swayed and glided to the ground. The entire place was painted with the leaves—hues of crimson, orange, and gold making a vivid display on the trees and the earth. I appreciated his company. He was always there for me, since I was a little kid until even now as I just celebrated my twentieth birthday. His brown hair, usually let down to just graze the nape of his neck, was tied up into a short ponytail he seldom wore. His deep brown eyes gazed over the path as passersby came and went. He hadn't aged a day since I last saw him; his frame was still as firm and solid as when we first met. Even in twenty years, the only difference I really noticed was a beard. He watched the small families playing at the playground with unbridled laughter and mirth. He smiled to himself. I remembered how he'd tag along with me as I explored the forests by our old home, always keeping watch on me when I was still a child. I remember how he would hold my hand as we made our way back to the house even in the dead of night. You Never Can Say Goodbye Bill W I had just returned home after graduating from college and was planning on taking a short break so I could have some fun before I started looking for a job. I felt I had earned the right to relax and enjoy life for a while since I'd just spent four years studying and meeting all of the course requirements to earn my bachelor's degree. When I first got home, most of my old friends from high school were there too. They were either home for the summer before returning to college or just taking a few weeks off before starting a job. Seeing there were so many people around that I knew and was friendly with, the first part of the summer was a blast. It was a series of cookouts, parties, clubbing and even a few road trips as we headed to the beach, amusement parks and other places where those our age tended to hang out. As the summer progressed, however, all of the good times began to wind down. Slowly, those beginning their careers left the area, and then those returning to college took off to go back to their campuses. It didn't take long after they left before I became hopelessly bored. 2015 Fall Anthology Support Team Proof Team Cia Rec Andy78 Valkyrie Anthology Banner Creation Mann Ramblings Tech Support A.J.

The Love Song of Dr. J E Cristpin by Johnathan Colourfield We grow old... We wander and we glance. Here is one moment in time. Remember what is lost and what is found. :nuke: :nuke: Spoilers Below!!! :nuke: :nuke:

The Gray Fade by Celethiel the Aftermath of a great Tragedy, brings two people together to face the world they now live. :nuke: :nuke: Spoilers Below!!! :nuke: :nuke:

Stupid, Overthought, Unexpected Decisions of the Past by Young Sage Not all decisions made come out smelling like roses, or chocolate chip cookies, or a freshly sexed bedroom, or a recently mowed lawn, or laundry detergent, or your favorite cologne/perfume. :nuke: :nuke: Spoilers Below!!! :nuke: :nuke:

Santa's Little Helper by Marzipan Marcus is a Grinch of a man. He hates Christmas for a good reason - or so he thinks. He is caught in a 'Jingle Bells' nightmare with Santa's little helper on his way home after work as their elevator gets stuck... :nuke: :nuke: Spoilers Below!!! :nuke: :nuke:

July 22nd 2011 by Daniel89 In memory of July 22nd 2011 :nuke: :nuke: Spoilers Below!!! :nuke: :nuke:

From the Ashes by Altimexis Nearly a century before this story begins, a race known as the Cereneans conquered and subjugated the people of Loran. Seeking to expand their empire, they set their sights on Earth, unaware that a refugee from Loran was already there. Although young Lansley was unable to prevent the attack, the knowledge he brought with him allowed the humans to fight back and ultimately rebuild. Little did he and his boyfriend, Steve, realize they were about to play an even bigger role. :nuke: :nuke: Spoilers Below!!! :nuke: :nuke:

Figuring It Out by Cia Out of everyone who stares at him, Kiron hopes that one person is staring for all the right reasons. With his best friend pushing him to take advantage of college life and finally meet someone, Kiron is tired of being lonely. It's just not as easy as Ramiro makes it sound. :nuke: :nuke: Spoilers Below!!! :nuke: :nuke:

Edward II (Lament Of The King) by Dolores Esteban Edward II, King of England, laments the loss of a battle and the loss of his friend and beloved Piers Gaveston. Little epic in sonnet form. :nuke: :nuke: Spoilers Below!!! :nuke: :nuke:

Crash Landing by Bill W Sheriff Taylor is notified that an object has been seen streaking across the sky. In seeking answers, he discovers it was a meteorite, but then people start getting ill. Are these two events related and what are they going to do to stop the spread of the illness? :nuke: :nuke: Spoilers Below!!! :nuke: :nuke:

Confessions From A Rooftop by advocatus diaboli Confessions From A Rooftop is a short story about a young man that is faced with a devastating decision. What will he decide to do? :nuke: :nuke: Spoilers Below!!! :nuke: :nuke:

Captain Simon Brown by Mark92 A side shoot from my story "The Legacy" :nuke: :nuke: Spoilers Below!!! :nuke: :nuke:

Ashton's Place by Dark It's the perfect day for Ashton St James. His distant father and domineering mother are gone and that first taste of freedom is an unbelievable rush. So what's wrong? :nuke: :nuke: Spoilers Below!!! :nuke: :nuke:

A Valentine in November by Bugeye A little tale of serendipity and misfortune. :nuke: :nuke: Spoilers Below!!! :nuke: :nuke:

A Dreamer without a Dream by W_L Memories define our lives, but can life define memories? :nuke: :nuke: Spoilers Below!!! :nuke: :nuke:

A Cold Rain by Quonus10 A night out to reflect on one's failure can have unforeseen consequences. :nuke: :nuke: Spoilers Below!!! :nuke: :nuke:

I decided to have a little fun with this one... I know it's not an It Was A... story. Sorry to disappoint, but that story could not stand alone well enough for the anthology. So, you got this one instead. Here's to a good story anyway. Enjoy! [sharedmedia=stories:stories:2770]

Okay in case you didn't know there is a sister site to this one. I publish on both sites. FSO has just done a Valentine Anthology. It is the first one there. For those who enjoy my writing or who want to see what was done with this idea follow the tab below. Feel free to join and leave me a message about what you thought. http://www.fictionstoriesonline.com/story/wr-clay/heartsdesire

Mickey has a problem. He can't let go of his past so he can enjoy his present. The problem is it forces his boyfriend, Tad, out of his life. Mickey realizes his mistake a bit too late. What will this mean to his future as he tries to change his life? For Mickey things have been rough but there was always Tad.

Hi All, Here is what I am looking for - a beta reader. What does that mean to me? Someone who will read my work and note mistakes. Did I change a character's name? Does something not make sense? Have I given too much detail or not given enough? Does the conversations sound real? Basically you are the first person to read over and see my work. You are letting me know if it is good or needs an overhaul. I am not afraid of the red pen. You mark my mistakes and I will go fix them. What is the length and tenure of this beta? It is a one shot for the Anthology. It is just over 13 pages and comes in over 5.700 words. I need this back in about a week or so from you so I can get it to my editor and then on to the Anthology editing team. Writing Details and Corrections I use word. Comments or directly correcting in the story is fine. I only ask you highlight or use a different color so I know immediately where the changes are if you don't make them in the comments. Title: Going Home Word Count: 5.749 Author: Comicfan Sample: I could hear the song playing on my iPod and really found it sort of amusing. I really guess I was in a New York state of mind, but only because I had to go back. There was so much there I didn’t want to have to deal with. That was the whole reason I had run from it all ten years ago. Funny, you can’t really escape your past. Life has a way of forcing you to go full circle and face the things you would rather forget. “Please return your seats to an upright position.” The flight attendant drew everyone’s attention with her sweet southern drawl. “At this time we ask once again that all phones, computers, iPads, and iPods are turned off as we begin to prepare for our descent. We will be arriving on time to McArthur Airport in Islip, New York. We hope you have enjoyed your flight.” I looked out the window and as we passed below the clouds could already make out the ocean and Fire Island as the plane approached our final destination. “It looks so beautiful, doesn’t it?” I turned and found the older lady who had been sitting next to me to looking out the window. I nodded being unable to say how I felt about finally coming home. I was carrying a single piece of luggage. I almost laughed as it struck me that I hadn’t been carrying much more when I left. There was just so much pain and now I was back to face more. As I passed through the gates and out to where people were waiting I watched as many of the people I’d been on the plane with were greeted by family and friends. My family knew I was coming in, but no one had come to greet me. I walked out the front doors of the airport and waved down a cab. In many ways it was stupid how I gawked at the changes. Ten years is a long time and no place stays the same. For me the island was frozen in memory, unchanging. Being here again I was faced with reality and that included all the growth and changes that had occurred in my absence. The closer the cab took me to my parent’s home the harder it was to believe all that had happened as the places where my life had been lived failed to remain as they were. The restaurant I had worked in was now a laundry mat, the movie theater was now a drug store, and the ice cream pallor where I had first met Bobby was gone and a Home Depot stood where the strip mall had been. As the cab pulled up to the address I couldn’t help but stare. The house seemed smaller than I remembered it being. They had redone the roof and reshingled the house as well. Now instead of the wooden shakers the house was done in a deep blue vinyl. I grabbed the bag off the seat next to me and handed the driver her fare. I stood for a moment and watched the cab pull down the street. A part of me wished I had never gotten out of it. “Guess you made it.” I turned around and looked up to find Lisa standing on the front step. “Nice to see you too, Lisa. Why yes, my flight was fine.” “Yeah.” She stood and wrapped her arms around herself and watched as I came in the gate and up the stairs. If this looks like something you want to attempt please feel free to contact me. Thank you.