Tag: Susi Holliday

Once Upon a Time Writing Contest: Christine Anderton

The Monster
by Christine Anderton

    In that instant, the sheer force of power emanating from the mirror knocked the gathered crowd off their feet, and my hands went up to shield my eyes from the flash of blinding light. I blinked hard to clear my vision. Around me, people were beginning to stand. I stared into the mirror, horrified and disgusted by what I saw. At the sight of glistening teeth, the townspeople screamed, in fear for their lives. She was quick to correct them. “Kind and gentle,” she said. I leaned in to get a closer look.
 
    I recognized the mirror. I had seen it once before, the night we fled. I stared at the image before me, familiar dishonest eyes glaring back at me in a challenge. 

And suddenly I knew. Memories flooded back, pounding me, one after another. Years of being second best. He had always been the favorite, never mind how he had tormented me when they weren’t around.

    That night years ago, he had behaved as usual, without thinking about how his actions would affect anyone else. Because of him, my life had been taken away from me. He had selfishly ruined everything, and I felt no pity for him. He deserved such a curse. Since then, I had worked hard to become an expert huntsman and had actually made a name for myself.

    I pulled my eyes away from the mirror and studied her. Her feelings were obvious. The way she looked at him, the way she cradled the mirror, the way her voice changed when she spoke about him. Kind and gentle? I knew what she didn’t. I knew what he was really like. And now he had my girl.
 
    She would marry me. I had asked nicely, but she refused. I wouldn’t give up that easily. She just needed a little persuading. I had come here tonight prepared to take either her hand or her father – the decision was hers. Now I realized that something more stood in my way. I would have Belle for my wife yet, even if it meant killing my brother.

Once Upon a Time Writing Contest: Molly Carr

 ON OR OFF COURSE?  By Molly Carr

   Being President of the Company was what he enjoyed since decision-making was meat and drink to him. And, of course, he lived like a Prince on his vast income.

   Now he was on his way to see the widow of one of his business rivals. It was important to wake her up to the necessity of keeping the firm viable – at least until he could organise an advantageous takeover bid.


   Half-way to the house he changed his mind. Neither the business nor the woman would be any use to him. All that it  needed was to ask his secretary to send a large basket of expensive flowers, along with a printed message of condolence.

   Without wavering – true to himself – he turned the Masarati and made for the nearest golf course.

Once Upon a Time Writing Contest: J. Tsuruoka

This entry is by J. Tsuruoka (@jtsuruoka on Twitter)

      The Barefoot Girl
      Rog knew about the Barefoot Girl.
      Sheer white dress, long red hair, pale skin, bare feet. 
      Her laughter.
      She was city legend, whispered among men of a certain…  persuasion.
      “See her and your ass is grass,” an associate said.
      “After everything you’ve done you’re scared of a ghost?” he’d asked.
      Rog feared no legend.  The city was his territory.
      He was out hunting when the Barefoot Girl appeared to him by the fountain in Columbus Circle. 
      She smiled at him through the watery haze and then laughed and disappeared into the crowd.
      Her footprints remained on the sun-warmed pavement just long enough for him to track her. 

      It was now after dark.  It might even be the next day.
      The Barefoot Girl had led him on a chase all over the city.
      They were somewhere in the Lower East Side.  Alphabet City, perhaps.  He couldn’t be sure.
      She smiled at him from the mouth of an alley.
      “Almost time,” she said.
      His hunter’s eyes followed her bone-white soles into the darkness of the alley.
      He fingered the handle of his knife in but did not draw it.  He never did until it was time to kill.
      He put on his most lecherous grin and walked into the alley.
      Rog had spent much of his life in the dark but the darkness in that alley was unlike any he’d experienced.
      The city’s noise faded and vanished.
      Laughter. 
      Rog spun in the dark.
      The lights of a passing car illuminated the alley and in that one second he knew where he was.
      That name stenciled on the dumpster.  That broken fire escape.
      A very hard, very cold, foot hit him in the gut. 
      Laughter.
      Another kick crushed his jaw.
      More laughter.  More blows.
      The seventh shattered a knee.  The eighth broke ribs.
      Rog slumped to the pavement.
      Laughter.  Two pale bare feet, cool against his face.
      She reached down and forced him to look, to see his victims- nine women- grinning at him from around the dumpster he left them in.
      Laughter.  Darkness.  Then nothing.