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Two Short stories

My entry into the NYC Two-Story Writing Challenge 2026 Comedy Action: Feeding a baby Word: Transform Protect Serve and feed “Gimme one of those damn donuts.” Ally leaned over, helping herself to a strawberry delight. “Dull day, huh?” she stated loudly, between bites and licking her lips. Mark paid minimal attention as he stared at his phone. “Uh-huh,” he muttered. With his focus on his phone, and Ally lost in a world of donut delight, the two rookie officers were barely registering anything around them. Thus, Mark was thunderstruck when he looked up, straight into the eyes of a giant baby staring straight back at him. It perched on his car bonnet, and Mark guessed around 25 feet if it stood up. The monster stared at Mark, cocking his head with a confused look. “A-a-A-a-A-a-ALLLLY!” he shouted. The baby giggled. Then Ally saw... and immediately let out a blood-curdling scream! “What is that?! How did a baby transform into this monstrosity???” she gasped. It looked at...
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The Widowmaker (Horror) 400 word story

  Synopsis : After falling through a floor and discovering an underground chamber, a badly injured woman is horrified to realise her seemingly cheap and shoddy boss, Marcus, is in fact the sinister serial killer known as “The Widowmaker.” The terrifying confrontation leaves her fate in his hands ***Trigger warning. This is a horror story. If you are uncomfortable with themes of threat, violence, or murder, please don’t read.**** “Fucccccck,” she screamed, falling through the floorboards. ‘Ow.’ Rubbing her head, she grabbed at her leg ; she could barely feel it. The room was as black as the ace of spades. The air was immediately thick with choking plaster dust, and the silence that followed the crash felt heavy, suffocating. Thanking god she lived in 2025, she used the torch on her smartphone to take in the scene. First, her leg—it was bad, blood was pouring out of the wound—but she struggled to her feet. Then, shining the phone at the hole she had crumpled through. “Cheapskate,” sh...
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A Waffle a day keeps Adultery Away (Short story, Drama)

My entry into the latest NYC 500-word short story, prompts I had to use: Drama Action: Folding Item: a waffle  Synopsis Lizzie dishes up waffles and secrets with the same innocent smile, certain her double life is safe. But when John bites into suspicion, the marriage might be cooked. Lizzie embraced Martin warmly, a far cry from the rather more adult acts they had been embroiled in only moments earlier. As he wrapped his arms around her, she felt him place the envelope in the back pocket of her cut-away jeans. “Plus a little something extra for you. I hope maybe next time we can do what we… discussed.” Martin gave her a peck on the cheek and was gone. Lizzie enjoyed her job; she felt there was nothing wrong with being a sex worker. She bust a gut to maintain her figure, and if people wanted to pay her to enjoy that, well, she’d earned it. Besides, it was 2025, and she put a lot more effort into her work than so-called ‘OnlyFans girls.’ The only issue was her partner, John. He was ...
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The Korean Krueger Effect (Spy)

  Synopsis: A notorious bounty hunter known as "Freddie Krueger" is hired to capture two North Korean defectors in Seoul. The mission, intended to be his last, forces him to confront the true cost of his chosen profession . This was my entry into the 2025 NYC short story competition. I had to use the following prompts: Genre: Spy, Location: Skyscraper, Character: Bounty Hunter James looked in the mirror and sighed. He was 38, but the life he had chosen had taken its toll; he could easily pass for over 50. He gently touched the most recent scar on his right cheek, wincing as he recalled the final blow that had delivered it—the last defiant act of a desperate man. Exiting the bathroom of the back-street coffee shop, he grabbed his black coffee from the counter and sidled into the booth where they always rendezvoused. “So?” James scoffed. “We’ve been working together for a long time, and still, no time for pleasantries?” He looked his employer in the eyes, h...
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You and Me, and Steve. 250 word short story.

The following was my entry into a 250 word short story competition. Although not my favourite genre to write, it was good to write something less dark. The prompts I had to work with were:  Drama.  Action: Compromising.  Word: Stop. You and Me, and Steve. Jess and Phil. That was who it was supposed to be, so why is ‘he’ always here?’ Jess thought to herself glaring at Steve who chugged another beer, high-fiving Phil as they celebrated some sporting nonsense in the game they were watching. Phil waved his friend away, closing the door to be confronted by Jess, wearing a face like thunder. “Every day, same old story” she fumed. Steve had been coming over daily for weeks. “Sorry babe,” he mumbled, “You know he’s going through it with the divorce.” “Humph,” was the response.  Phil soothed, “You know I only have eyes for you”, “Prove it” Jess responded, “Tell him, he can’t come every day, from now only every other day”. Phil pondered, “Firm, but fair, ok Hun, now give me t...
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Chirp - a modern horror story.

The following is a silly horror story,  it's a little far-fetched, but regardless it is a horror story, with scenes of violence, murder, threat, manipulation, and mental and sexual torture, so please don't read if you are uncomfortable with any of the above.   Chirp Chirp. Katy smiled at her phone, knowing she was addicted to the thrill of social media, even if she would never admit it. It was that addiction that had signalled the end of her previous relationship when Mark decided he had enough of her staring at the screen, with anything he said sailing over her head. She raised an eyebrow as she looked at the latest snap on her favourite app Snapchat. It wasn’t a known sender… ‘Interesting’ she thought opening the message. A buff-looking guy in a football jersey. Well, she didn’t know him, but he was certainly her type. That was six months ago. It had been a wild six months. Katy and Dan were love’s young dream, brought together by their mutual love of social media ...
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All hail the King!

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  The Queen is dead, long live the King!! You might be forgiven for thinking this blog is a homage to the King (I am British after all), however, it is in fact my first review of a restaurant in Zhangjiakou, namely: The King of North East Barbecue Northeast barbecue Hunan (Times Square West Branch) Hebei Province Zhangjiakou City Qiaodong District Times Square West East Gate 东北烧烤川湘菜(时代广场西区店) 河北省张家口市桥东区时代广场小区西区东门东南110米 Working hours 5pm - 3am    Location and layout   It took a while, but finally a Zhangjiakou review, and what better way to start than with The King. Ideally positioned mere moments from a University Campus (and a ten-minute walk from my apartment) The King is on a bustling  street that is choc full of various restaurants, including multiple other Barbecue restaurants, alongside Hot Pot, Burger, and Chicken restaurants, so if you don't fancy delicious grilled meat, in this area there is a plethora of options. Inside the restaurant, it is a little ...
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