Retail was not conducive to feeling that festive spirit. It felt like Christmas came earlier and earlier every year, with the shows for shops starting in June. And they overplayed it. Speakers playing tinny Christmas carols, bright festive lights strung up everywhere. Lots of forced cheer and ho ho ho’s. It was too much as … Continue reading “Retail Grinch” by Quinn Clancy
I move into the outside lane, overtaking an Opel Astra that seems to be intent on getting to its destination sometime next year. “It’s Christmas dude,” I mutter to myself, scoping out its inhabitants. A couple in their seventies, a man with wisps of white hair and thick framed glasses, a thin woman with the … Continue reading “Driving Home Forever” by Roisín Tuohy
Something lay in wait in the storeroom. Charlie could feel it. She knew she was lucky to be relying on public transport. There were other people here who stayed all night, or until three am, relying on their own tired eyes to keep themselves on the road or an understanding partner or parent to pick … Continue reading The Storeroom by Roisín Tuohy
What. The. Actual. Hell? Look, Kayleigh got it. People apparently lost their damn minds at Christmas-time and everything just went to hell in a handbasket. It happened every year without fail. But this year seemed to be even worse and she was about to lose it. She just wanted to go home to her boyfriends … Continue reading T’is the Season (of Idiocy) by Kat Dodd
Along the undulating hills of the Quilt and the jagged edges of the Posts, in the flat plains of the Eider and the steep drops of the Edge, in the deep mines of the Sheets and the peaks of the Pillows, trouble stalked the Land. The Slumberer lay uneasy and when the giant rumbled it … Continue reading Christmas in the Land of Duvets by Roisín Tuohy
A WhatsApp message. Words I knew I would read someday, but I didn't think that day would come anytime soon. A small message, only a few words, but they pierce through my soul as if they were cold daggers. I feel my hands losing their grip on the phone, while everything around me gets dark, … Continue reading “December” by Marina Millenari
The Burgermaster’s Keep in the city of Poms Fritz is an awkward place to climb into, even with two legs. For someone with one leg, it’s likely to be somewhat more difficult. If, however, you’re a Scarecrow like me with only a single shovel-handle as a leg, then it’s well-nigh impossible. “Careful, young Cedric!” Uncle … Continue reading “In Which Wintertide Suffered an Interruption” by Axel Kelly
Jack ran home through the mist. It was only afternoon, but twilight already covered the land and storm-torn clouds raced across the sky. He had visited the neighbouring farm to see Millie as he’d promised. They’d stolen secret kisses and time had flown by. Now he wished he’d gone back sooner. The dark shadows of … Continue reading “Solstice” by Leyla Telli
Begin Entry It’s odd. Ever since my human Caitlín and I have embarked on our relationship, I have been much more settled and content than I would have thought, especially for how chaotic and unpredictable my human Caitlín is. But I believe that we balance each other out quite well. She is prone to reacting … Continue reading “Winterlude Paradox” by Kat Dodd
We had left the porch light on of course, because that’s what you do in winter. I was the one who closed up that night, not being willing to go to my cold bedroom, and I glanced back at the door. A foolish mistake. The light and the snow piled up knee high magnified the … Continue reading “A Winter Visitor” by Roisín Tuohy