It was a day of eyes and ears

It was a day of eyes and ears; upon leaving my hibernation, the world exploded. I soaked up the afternoon light - something I oft forget to enjoy - as I made my way to the El.

The usual assortment of stories were along for the ride, including a beggar just beginning his routine. I closed my eyes and shook my head when he turned to me. He nodded his defeat. I watched a man eat Burger King, his one eye affixed to the door while the other focused on the meal.

A Staccato Walk

A staccato walk

stilted

her head tilted

in thought?

in fear?

Single, slight, slanted,

Why do you avoid the world? Are you afraid?

Are you just ashamed

like me?

Buford's Big Ceremony

"And in the name of this great Republic and all its citizens, I do hereby award you the gold star of participation."

Trumpets sounded. The crowd erupted in applause. The Prime Minister fumbled with the medal for a second before pinning it to Buford's chest and shaking his hand.

Buford politely nodded a thank you to the man in suit-and-sash before stepping forward and waving a big, appreciative, "you're all fantastic!" wave to the assembled mass. They exploded into a second round of enthusiastic applause and cheering. Pausing just a moment to soak it all in, he then turned to his left and carefully made his way back to his seat.

A New Face

"I don't like it one bit."

"What? Why not?"

"For one thing - what the hell is it?"

"Why does that matter? It's not supposed to be anything."

"Well, for being nothing, you've certainly got it in a prominent spot."

The Girl with the Blue Umbrella

"Today is a blue day," she thought. Not a depressed day, not a sad day, but a blue day. Royal. Aquamarine. Iridescent. A bright bubbly beautiful blue.

She dug through her dresser, pulling out anything and everything blue. When she'd had a mound of clothes on her bed, she began picking through them, wondering what she would wear to face the day. Skirt or pants? Or maybe her big blue denim dress?

Wendy was a weird one

Wendy was a weird one. Lucy lapped up lavender lemonade. Edna was a duck.

"I do believe it's about time to get to the funeral," Wendy declared. Lucy looked up from her bowl.

"There is no funeral today, Wendy. You are so very weird."

A Dragon Tale

There once lived a wise and just king who ruled over a vast and prosperous land. One summer day a malady befell the land - a dragon of enormous size. Upon learning of the terror, the king summoned his advisors and councilors.

They debated and deliberated for a day and a night before recommending a martial solution. The king's oldest and bravest son was to take an army a thousand strong to defeat the beats. Agreeing with the assembly, he ordered it so.

H. Wise 9-9-15

Eight Minutes Remaining

Eight minutes remaining.

Jonathan wiped the sweat from his brow, chancing a quick look at Julia in the process.

'How many has she picked?' he marveled at the pile of locks in front of the neon-blue haired woman. 'She's got well over double me.'

Jonathan pressed into his work. A slight, clean-cut man, he looked like someone transported from the 1950s. Flick, flick, flick and he'd undone the lock in his hand. His left tossed it into the pile while his right fished for another. He chanced another glance.

'Shit,' he flinched. 'She's just picked two more!'

The Tomb

It'd been a long time, but the tomb was once again open.

"What do you make of that?" Johnny asked, pointing at the strange objects lined up against the wall.

"Oh, jeez! I don't know Johnny, what do you think they were used to make?"

"Make?"

"Yeah - they look like tools - maybe that one stirred something."

"Oh, you're right!" Johnny picked up one of the objects. "What do you think this one did?"

Just then there was a scream and a rush of air.

The Demon's Visit

There came a great triplet of knocks from the front door.

"Who could be calling at this hour?" Amanda thought, navigating through a darkened hallway. She'd been careful not to seem like she was reacting to the visitor until she knew it was safe.

As she silently peered through the peep-hole, she saw two demonic eyes meet hers and a mouth full of sharp teeth stretch into a smile.