I Play Grandpa Joseph

Why, hey there, boy! Good morning! And where are you off to? Why don’t you sit down for a few minutes with your grandpa? Oh, oh, sure. Your friends. Well, I’m sure I’ll still be here when you’re done playing Barbies with your little buddies.

No, of course you aren’t! Grandpa‘s only joking. No, you go right ahead, and I’ll be here when you get back. Or… I might not. Who knows? Now I don’t want to be one of those burdensome old people, so when it does happen, I’ll try to fall forward.

That way the cat won‘t be able to eat any of my face, and we can have a nice, open-casket affair. Would you like that? But here I am, babbling on. You were on your way to play with your little friends.

You will stay? Oh, why, that’s great. Sweet of you, staying just to talk with your old grandpa. So tell me about school. Hm. Interesting. And you’re in, what, the third grade? Well, well. So, answer me this: what would you do if you were in the middle of the ocean, and a whale was about to eat you? Read More »

The Revenge, The Final Price

This is the final chapter of thirteen-year-old Chloe Bradshaw’s dark tale. For the previous installment, click here.

As I looked at my father’s murderer, the feeling of fear subsided and was overcome by anger. I lunged at the pirate and both Jay and Luke tried to hold me back. They just about managed to restrain me from ripping the man’s throat out. He ambled over with a silver jug in his hand.

I stood up straight as he came closer and brushed myself down.

“Can I help you?” He asked with a voice which made my blood curdle from both anger and fright. I didn’t answer him; I just couldn’t find my voice. I had the idea that neither could Jay and Luke could for they both didn’t breathe a word. The man looked even more menacing close up, like a shadow that could suffocate you.

“I tried to look in his eyes but I couldn’t bring myself to doing it. I swallowed as a cold sweat came over me. “I said-” He started, but I cut him off.

“You killed my father,” I finally said. Read More »