Twisted Tales Read online

Twisted Tales

  Flash Fiction with a Twist

  2012

  Edited By Annie Evett

  Published by Raging Aardvark Publishing

  PO Box 5063

  Algester 4115

  Queensland

  Australia

  https://ragingaardvark.com

  Copyright © 2012 – each individual author maintains the copyright to their individual story.

  Copyright of this Anthology remains with Raging Aardvark Publishing.

  The authors have asserted their rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the authors of this work.

  The intention of this anthology is for it to be freely downloaded, distributed and given away to promote the enjoyment of reading flash fiction. This collection is distributed subject to the condition that it shall not by way of trade or otherwise be sold or hired out.

  All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Opinions expressed in Twisted Tales are those of the contributor and do not necessarily represent those of the editor or publisher.

  Cover artwork by Annie Evett

  Photo taken within Waitomo Caves, New Zealand.

  Cover layout by Annie Evett

  Foreword

  Welcome to the first edition of Twisted Tales, an anthology celebrating Flash Fiction. Short, sweet snippets of stories which have the ability to tempt the imagination, tantalise a reader and pose questions, form the heart of a great flash fiction. Twisted Tales was born out of the need to showcase Flash Fiction in its own right and a desire to present writers whose first love lies within the short story.

  For far too long has society been over-indulged with the excessive word count. Readers have become gluttonous consumers of mountainous tomes. It is time the short story and all its derivatives demand their rightful place back into readership.

  This collection explores the twisted existence of love, family and relationships as characters seek a sense of self and identity. It is filled with a mixture of stories, some which will make you think, others smile and tales which will have you reaching for your security blanket. Rather than list the stories alphabetically, they are grouped loosely into tales of twisted love, families and relationships. Even in doing so, these lines blur and intertwine.

  A huge thanks to all writers who submitted. It was wonderful to include established writers beside emerging authors and heartwarming to receive emails from thrilled contributors who are excited to launch their careers within this anthology. The support and encouragement for this project I continue to receive is fantastic and much appreciated.

  Thank you to Ether Books, in particular Bea Moyes the Director of Content and Digital Community, for her valued assistance in the selection process.

  Without the support and encouragement of Calum Kerr, Director of National Flash Fiction Day, this collection would not have reached the audiences and garnered the interest it has.

  Heartfelt thanks to Margie Riley, the proofreading guru, for her valued friendship and editing ‘sanity checking’ abilities. (Yes that’s an Australian term)

  A warm thanks to Chris and Heidi White from Photocopier Press for their online encouragement.

  To my proofreaders who wish to remain anonymous, your input and Skype chats have been invaluable.

  Most importantly, I’d like to thank my long suffering family for their on going support and encouragement. Twisted Tales, and all of the creations within Raging Aardvark Publishing, would truly not happen without them.

  Annie Evett

  Editor

  Contents

  The Trouble with Sydney By Cath Barton6

  Fresh Start By Clive Martyn7

  I had a Dog By Margie Riley9

  Don’t Forget! By Rod Sytsma10

  They Say By Elizabeth Reapy11

  First Blooding By Annie Evett12

  Sweet Sixteen By SJI Holliday14

  Sisters By Valerie Sirr16

  Nails By Penny Pepper18

  Uncle Henri By Sylvia Petter20

  In Plain Sight By Sara Kirkpatrick21

  Little Man By Angela Readman22

  Unexpected By Scott Williamson24

  Master of the Universe By Jim Dunkley25

  Robbed By Valerie Sirr29

  A Peel By Oonah V Joslin31

  Future Tense By Iain Pattison33

  The Girl in the Mirror By Laura Huntley35

  The Circle By Vicki Griffin36

  Cheating Death By John Ritchie38

  Faces in the night By Rollo Waite40

  The Black Widow By Deborah Rickard40

  Mrs Barnes and the Were-Ralph By Sophie Green41

  Arnie By Jim Dunkley42

  Keep Chopping By John Riley43

  Symmetry By Cathy Lennon43

  A Ghost Story By Jody Moller45

  Hook and Line By Lindsey McLeod46

  Bondsville Story 1958 By Beverly Lucey46

  Blowing off Steam By Sarah Logan48

  At a Bus Stop in Santa Barbara By Ted Taylor48

  Bang on Time By Iain Pattison49

  How Does that Make You Feel? By CM Stewart50

  Kine Spirits By Margie Riley52

  Calico By Catherine Russell53

  Biographies55