by Rae Cod The red breasted Robin was brazen, in her people watching wa Studying them with fascination, sometimes watching one for days She had formed a theory, kept nice and close to her red breast The time had come to journey, put her hypothesis to test She traversed the world by magnetism, was floored… Leer más Bird’s Eye View
by Rae Cod It had been a slow day. Rita arranged the stickers and badges on the display table for the hundredth time and scanned the street for signs of life. She’d been working this patch for a month. It was promising at first, but foot traffic seemed to by dying off. She’d speak to… Leer más Slow and steady
by Rae Cod “How long has he been infected with the parasite, Mr Kant?” asked Doctor Fenton, keeping her face as neutral as possible. This was the tenth case presenting with intensive acceleration they’d had this week. The patient – the host – was under sedation in isolation; isolation to supposedly protect others from the… Leer más The End of Mankind
by Rae Cod The icy deluge continued to pour, stinging his face and plastering his shirt and jeans to a body which a few days ago had felt strong, but which now felt hollowed out from the inside: defeated and alien. He imagined opening his mouth to scream into the wind, but the cries of… Leer más Torrent
by Rae Cod ‘I heard he used the cash to buy a boat, called her Dignity,’ said Dave, taking a sip of his second pint of the evening. ‘Who told you that one?’ said Carl laughing as he made his way over from the bar to join them, ‘Deacon Blue?’ Dave looked puzzled for a… Leer más The Ghost of Grimsby Car Park
by Rae Cod She liked to fit people into the world like puzzle pieces. Unfortunately, not many people were what they seemed these days. It made finding suitable men such a chore. Take her last date, for example, she’d had high hopes. His profile had ticked all the boxes and she’d rolled out the seven-inch killer heels. She felt… Leer más Killer Heels
by Rae Cod Katy’s eyes skimmed the leaflets pinned to the wood of the bus shelter as she waited to spot a likely target. She felt out of her depth. She hadn’t done this in years. What if she messed up? But Scott was desperate. So was she. They needed this. He said it was best if… Leer más Bust
by Rae Cod ‘What do you mean you lost the baby?’ asked Alicia, her wide eyes begging Charmaine to get to the punchline. ‘I popped it down right there,’ shrugged Charmaine, pointing at a spot on an oversized sofa, ‘while I ordered a smoothie, by the time I’d turned around it was gone.’ She took… Leer más Out with the bath water
by Rae Cod He knelt before her and took her liver-spotted hands in his, as gently as if he was collecting an injured bird. His eyes hadn’t changed since he was a baby, but what a strong young man he’d become. It wasn’t fair he had to carry this on his shoulders, but she could… Leer más Full to the brim
by Rae Cod Millie followed the path around the trees as she had done every morning for the last six days. Six days surrounded by people but totally alone. She’d expected the silence to be heaven, but her own mind seemed determined to create torment. Six days down, four to go. First, she convinced… Leer más Silence
by Rae Cod ‘Get back into bed, love,’ hushed Ayla’s mother bustling into the room. Caught in the act, legs dangling, toes stretched in anticipation of freedom. She’d almost made it. ‘Aw, come on Mama, I’m fine, look at me!’ Ayla jumped up and broke into a round of star jumps, dressing gown flapping to… Leer más Better Safe Than Sorry
by Rae Cod Martin knew the saying; once man’s trash is another’s treasure, but it always amazed him the items that people discarded. Dropping it at the charity shop made them feel better about it, but make no mistake, if all the charity shops closed tomorrow it would be on the rubbish heap. That’s… Leer más Trash and Treasure
by Rae Cod Her heart hammered in her chest and her breath came in short, sharp gasps. Her focus was entirely on this last lap of the pool, not the other competitors, nor the time on the clock. For these moments she embodied one singular purpose: winning. She concentrated on her stroke, practised to near… Leer más In the game
by Rae Cod Jim stood impatiently in the queue for the beat-up old hot dog van, hands stuffed into the pockets of his road dusty jeans, weight shifting constantly from one foot to the other. He kept glancing towards the horizon for any sign of the blinding flash that would signal the end of all… Leer más The foot long hot dog and the end of days
by Rae Cod ‘Aida, what’s for breakfast?’ ‘A sliced avocado, six cherry tomatoes and a glass of iced water.’ James powered up his screen and started to work while Aida prepared his food. The silence stretched comfortably, punctuated only by the gentle hum of the 3D printer. ‘What will the weather be like today?’ James… Leer más Disconnected
by Rae Cod He sat on the step of the cabin, a sweater enough protection from the chill in the air, which promised to flee before the rising sun. His eyes scanned the forest as he breathed in the wet, earthy scent of the petrichor. The birds had begun their chatter, but the sky… Leer más Check
by Rae Cod The rain was coming down hard. Pete could hear barking and shouts in the distance. They were looking for him. He could barely see a thing from the dying light of his phone. He had to find shelter. The smell hit his nose before he came upon the yard. Thick and pungent,… Leer más Snakes in the grass
by Rae Cod He watched her from a distance as she sat on the front step of her porch, staring with eyes that were somewhere else. Her beautiful dark hair was piled up in a head scarf. A tangle had broken free, and he was surprised to see it shot through with white. Maybe not… Leer más Black Widow
by Rae Cod His Dad always said if there was a zombie apocalypse he’d be the first one to die. ‘You’re too bloody nice,’ he’d say, in a way that made nice sound like something he’d stepped in. Well, it might not be a zombie apocalypse, but this world was ending, and he was still… Leer más Dad always said
by Rae Cod Ash checked his watch. He estimated he had five minutes until the next curfew patrol. He turned his attention back to the wall. A train rumbled on the bridge overhead, drowning out the sound of the spray cans as he worked. His consciousness sank into the flow of the paint as the… Leer más Runaway
Gobblers & Masticadores 