Tag: fiction
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The Deserters
Colliers, West Virginia 1863 John and Tom marched ahead of Ben and Joe. Turning off the main road into a muddy pock-holed corn field they stumbled under the weight of their packs and weaponry. The men had returned from battle only a few months prior. Returned to devastated farms and lean families. They tried to…
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The Cougar
Collin slid into his pack and continued through the canyon. The walls sloped near the bottom spilling water eroded bentonite clay. Layers of sandstone, more resistant to weathering, jutted out in rough edges. Collin was reminded of a Gothic cathedral–the Sagrada, he thought—and like the cathedral still being formed. Before his trip he had visited…
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The Spinster
Jane’s black taffeta dress rustled like Aspen leaves in the fall. She was aware of eyes on her. “…Mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away,” the deep timbre of the pastor’s voice washed over her. She looked up at the snowcapped mountains behind the cemetery, the…
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The Mustang
Helen sat crossed legged in the shade of a mesquite bush waiting out the heat of the day. She didn’t know if they were still trailing her. Inspecting the hem of her red velvet dress covered in grey dust, she scooped dirt and covered the entire gown. Her hat was lost a few days ago at…
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Reno
Reno blinked at the ceiling. What sort of end was this for a man who lived outside half his life. He hadn’t thought of his father in decades, but it hit him that he died much the same way— lying in bed waiting for the end. Lucky bastard. Had only to wait a year. In…
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The Wolf
Taylor lay on his back watching the stars. His breath hovered above his face. He wondered if it was his spirit there floating. He was past fear now. The first twenty four hours it consumed him, fear. He thought his body must have used up all the chemicals that spill into the blood to make…
The Vaquero 