A bicycle bell chimed in the distance, jolting Jarrad awake. His body wriggled in the sand, as his eyes adjusted to the evolving, crimson rays of the morning light. Nearby was a lake, bordered by a public path, lush parkland, and extravagant housing. Jarrad knew the place, but why was he there?       Something scratched… Read more

‘Really got yourself in a pickle this time.’  Silence. Dan could not believe it. Not again. ‘I thought you were over this obsession?’  Brett shivered. His wet clothes stuck to his skin, and the wound on his leg throbbed. Dan offered Brett his jacket. He declined. ‘Things didn’t go to plan, alright?’ ‘They never do.… Read more

Shorefronts faded from view as a sprinkle of water sprayed from the ocean and onto Marcas’s arm. He didn’t flinch, his mind distracted by two objects – a stamped, unopened envelope flapping around in his left hand, and a pair of shoes tied to the edge of the rail at the stern of the boat. ‘You care for a slice of… Read more

      ‘Brad broke up with me.’       Gemma expected her two friends to overreact. They didn’t disappoint. Domino, Ellie’s cat, jumped across the coffee table and onto Gemma’s lap. His paws wrapped around her left leg and gently massaged her skin.        ‘Crappy excuse no doubt?’ Brenda never held back.        ‘Give you at least… Read more

    Jagged rays of sunlight slip through the cracks in the blinds as a magpie squawks its harmonious melody outside our bedroom window. The challenge begins. I rarely win, mostly due to strong resistance from my challenger. I enjoy the contest. If successful, the fruits of victory are extremely satisfying.        Two ridges lay under… Read more

One person clutches firmly on to the handbrake while the other has their foot planted on the accelerator. Neither gives an inch. The result, is a build-up of wasted energy, channelled in all the wrong directions. Instead of moving forward, you spin around in circles. The result is you end up going, nowhere, backwards, not… Read more

Five minutes earlier and John’s day could have been different. Instead, he sat in his rain splattered car, unable to forget the pleasurable groans of his wife as she and the man who replaced him in their bed embraced passionately.         Beeeeeep! John snapped out of his trance. His foot kissed the accelerator then jumped… Read more

             Why was I sitting in the passenger seat of a parked car? Holding half a lemon? I had woken from a deep sleep after subconsciously squishing it against a gash across my forehead. It stung like crazy.        The front and back doors were stuck, the windows smashed. The seat… Read more

Fiona loosened the latch of the large metal gate. As it came ajar, I poked my way through a tiny gap and rushed out to embrace the open spaces it guarded. I loved the park and exploring its mysteries, particularly its smells. Whenever my friends were there, we’d chase each other through the play area,… Read more

    That growl. I knew it well. Why did mum insist I retrieve her golden, leathery handbag that she left at her place? She knew he didn’t like me.      There was a history between her loyal guard and I. The daunting presence of his dark shadow lingered by the door, waiting for me, watching… Read more