Heart pounding so loud it threatened to burst through her chest, she quickened her pace, grasping her store bag with the books inside in one hand, ready to swing if needed., and her keys in the other, ends protruding between her fingers the way she’d heard from a friend years ago who’d taken a … Continue reading An Alien Abduction
Light snow had begun to fall. Gloved hands clutching the wheel, Shea lay her head on the steering wheel and sighed, loudly. She lifted it quickly and let her gaze sweep the area. In the parking lot of the trendy restaurant, it wouldn’t be good for anyone to see her. People could have such a … Continue reading A Christmas Solo
A light snow had begun to fall. With determined consternation, Edith stepped into the hallway of her small but comfortable home. She hadn’t missed Sunday morning church in many years — except that once — and she didn’t intend to start now. It might take her a bit longer to make the walk in this … Continue reading The Christmas Angel
It had begun to snow. Thankfully, it hadn’t affected the sidewalk enough to make walking in heels treacherous. Still, she adjusted her scarf, pulled her coat around her, and quickened her pace. Her building, its glass doors allowing the lobby light to spill onto the sidewalk, was just ahead on the left. … Continue reading The Gift
Every part of his body hurt. He got up and padded across the room into the bathroom. Leaning close to the mirror, he stared at his reflection. There was a small cut over one eye and it appeared it might turn black. Some bruises would likely appear before long, but maybe not. Who was that … Continue reading The Christmas Craftsman
Grace loved this time of year. Maybe it was her imagination, but it just seemed to her that at Christmas time, the atmosphere was a little warmer, people were a little friendlier and everything was a little brighter. She had come in for the milk she’d promised her mother she’d pick up on her way … Continue reading A Christmas Prayer
Celeste sat quietly in the pew about halfway to the back of the church sanctuary, basking in the soft glow of candlelight and the peaceful aura that surrounded her. The Christmas Eve service was one of her favorites of the year; the story of the baby’s birth in Bethlehem and what it had been like … Continue reading The Innkeeper’s Witness
Sounds of festive holiday carols filled the room, magnified by the absence of its usual occupants. Frosted glass showed the beginning of flurries dropping from the opaque clouds like a blanket overhead outside. It made a perfect backdrop to the tree standing full and fragrant on the classroom shelves beneath. Humming along with the cheery … Continue reading Candy and Canes
A screaming siren pierced the darkness stirring his mind from the black state it had fallen into. Struggling groggily to regain consciousness and equilibrium, he felt a constrictive something covering his nose and mouth. Even before he could force his eyes to open, his attempt to bring a hand up to bat it off … Continue reading The Dossier
Targeted. Trafficked. Triumphant. From the ashes to… action The backpack she carried felt like the weight of the world as she lumbered up the stairs. Wooden steps, thinly covered with carpet old and worn to the point that its once visible pattern was now indistinguishable, creaked. Normally a quaint, comforting sound today went unnoticed. Sighing … Continue reading SmashPunk!
Lisa Greco Filali 