The Dig Tree

13th February 1861: “If I turn my face to the east, I can taste the salt in the sea breeze. However, a murky swampland filled with twisted mangroves blocks our path to the ocean. Had Burke heeded my warning about the extreme weather in this country, we would not be caught in monsoonal rains that…

Cooked

“…and the final item is this hand-crafted, fused-silica glass measuring jug,” says the auctioneer, holding it up for show. “Formerly owned by the recently deceased Snow White and auctioned on behalf of the executives of her estate, the Seven Dwarfs. This jug has a one cup capacity, with gradients of one-quarter one half, and three-quarter…

Steps

The buildings that line the deserted alley cast shadows as gloomy as the drizzle of rain. Jocelyn shivers. Her fear lurks here. If she doesn’t retrace her steps and face the origin of her torment, the trial, the conviction, the year of therapy, would mean nothing. She’ll remain a victim. Her shoes heels click on…

Missing Anna

I close the lid of the box and carry it to the kitchen. It feels heavy, which is strange. I only cleaned out the bathroom cupboard. The box contains a collection of half-used face creams, an empty spray can of deodorant and a bottle of pink nail polish. They’re items I won’t use. Does the…

The Sweetest Thing

The Billy Goat Gruff stood proudly in the centre of the bridge. “It is safe to pass, my lady. I have defeated the troll.” The lady goat glared at him. “You brute,” she bleated. She turned on her hooves, flicked up her tail and stalked off. Billy’s ears drooped. He jumped down from the bridge…

Toil and Trouble

Witch Wandita hurled the Book of Mythology across the dungeon. “Bah,” she cursed. “Gods? Wizards? Hairy toed Hobbits? Witches should rule the worlds. Without our cunning and intellect, they’re nothing. Nothing.” She shuffled across the stone floor, reached for her potions bible and flicked through the tattered pages. “Ah,” she exclaimed. She jabbed her bony…