A black cat lay on the porch of 13 Bigelow Street. She yawned and stretched, then looked at the men milling about in the street. Some were armed with bats, chains, and tire irons. All were clearly spoiling for a fight. After another yawn, the cat got up and wandered into the house. She found Grace Bigelow in her sewing room and mewed at her. “Trouble brewing, eh,” Grace said, smiling at the cat, “Guess I should have a loo...

In retrospect, it wasn't the wisest final sentence to yell at my boyfriend as I kicked him out of the flat: "If I ever see you or that…" I floundered for the right word, "hussy again, I'll kill you both." The front door slammed behind him, a whirlwind of disturbed particles danced in his wake, illuminated by the nearby desk lamp. They began to settle as his footsteps receded, my shaking hand pressed hard against the back...

There once were three ordinary friends from an ordinary neighborhood in the ordinary town of Edinburgh, Scotland. One day, as they gathered for coffee, they decided they needed to get away from the city and so a camping trip was planned. Being tired of the ordinary, they decided that this particular camping trip should be at a less than ordinary site.  It was agreed and all three of the friends went to work making a list...

The rider came swiftly towards Avenigar. Keeping his horse at a fast trot, he reached the cluster of buildings that stood beyond the town’s West gate. Those buildings stood mostly empty and boarded up now that winter had arrived. During the summer, though, they were home to hundreds when trade caravans passed through en route to the mountain passes. Dev Jackelbury, Warden of Avenigar, stood in the watchtower over the gate...

Lily couldn't remember a time when she felt so bored. She made her way into the kitchen to get something for breakfast, trying to figure out how she was going to pass the time when her Father spoke up. "Lil. We need groceries and some other supplies. Go and pick some up." He handed her a wad of money. She blinked at it in surprise. "No problem. I'll need the keys too." "You can walk." She blinked owlishly at him. "Dad, th...

Bradley Carlisle was a bully, but it wasn’t emotional or physical abuse that had made him this way. To the contrary, he’d been pampered and idolized all his life.After all, he was a Carlisle.It was said that his ancestors were among the elites of the elite who sailed over on the Mayflower from the old country. Whether this was true, Bradley cared not one whit. He didn’t depend on ancient history to grasp his social value....

This is what they meant when they said ‘dark as pitch’. Clarissa shuffled along, one hand on the clammy wall to guide her, the other held out to keep her from bumping into something or – much as she hated to consider it – someone. She felt confident that if she kept along the wall, she would soon encounter a door. Surely every room had to have a door, albeit that she’d come to the conclusion that there were either no wind...

Moonlight edged through the tree branches high overhead, as the wind howled through them bringing a sharp cold slap to her face. Darkness seeped under the canopy far above, shrouding the world in shadow. There was one small flicker of light that illuminated the cover that encased it.Her fingers grew numb, holding the iron candle holder. A dark blue candle for banishing glowed with enough light to illuminate her pale face,...

WISHES AND WITCHES by MF Burbaugh   "Wishes at the shrine, a copper for my time. Wishes I make true, come let me help you." The cackle of the old crone as she laughed was haunting, daring us to purchase her service. Daring anyone. "Come hither little ones, see your dreams. Come hither dears, all is not as it seems." I looked to Kathy and asked, "Want to? We're in the city for just the day. Want to see what our futures hol...

It’s All Hallow’s Eve and there’s little sound, Except for a few goblins dancing around,An old witch creates another evil spell,Summoning demons from down in Hell. The old hag stirs her boiling stew,Adds eye of a newt, and another shrew,The cauldron bubbles over the roaring fire,The smoke rising up, higher and higher. A black cat watches and suddenly screams,It’s enough to haunt anyone’s dreams,The old woman smiles an evi...

Where to begin, I really don't know.The start is too far and so is the end.I told you the truth from the very beginning.I told you what I saw in you, the good and the bad.I offered you my friendship and my most valuable time. I told you not use your spells on me, for your master's magic shall not work, if only you saw what I see.For hours you'd whisper and then you'd moan.While I simply accepted my fate.Testing my patienc...

It was the year I was doing show in Omaha, Nebraska that I met Sandy, a self proclaimed white witch. I had been fascinated by the dark arts for some time and began to read and dabble in them attempting to expand my sometimes ESP experiences. I was standing by my stage in between shows when I saw this mildly attractive woman walking by with two children tow.I looked at her, and the name Sandy just jumped into my head. As s...