Elle's fictional prose

#1045261

February 21, 2023 at 8:52pm

As the opening chords began to swell, a hush fell over the audience. Anticipation weaved with the smell of popcorn and crackers to fill the tent. Sammy wriggled forward in his seat, finding it impossible to sit still now that the long awaited moment had nearly arrived. It felt like he’d waited years for summer, even though he knew it had only been a matter of months. A figure trotted out onto the elevated stage and a beam of brilliant light pierced the dimness to illuminate the ringmaster... [Read more]

#1045260

February 21, 2023 at 8:52pm

Finally, I was safe. I savoured the refreshingly cool taste of freedom. The realisation that I could relax, could be myself for a short time, was sweet. I lay back, my aches and pains cushioned by a bed of clover and dandelions. The night reached out a warm hand to stroke my forehead and far above me a multitude of stars winked and flirted. Damn, I was tired. Tired of running. Tired of hiding. Tired of pretending to be someone I wasn’t. I closed my eyes and tried to let some of the night’... [Read more]

#1045259

February 27, 2023 at 8:15pm

Silvanna coughed and spluttered as she climbed out of the picture, dripping water all over her antique wooden desk. The other muses, some working hard at their own desks, others chatting, all turned to the back of the room to stare at her. Silvanna flopped down on top of the picture in the puddle of water she had created, just catching her breath for a moment, before dragging herself to the edge of the desk. She sat with her legs dangling over the edge and slumped her shoulders. “Wh... [Read more]

#1045258

February 21, 2023 at 8:53pm

A lady's reputation is her most important possession. Every young lady in society learns this truth at her mother's knee. I knew I had lost mine the moment the Countess of Eidersley gave me the cut direct at Hyde Park that afternoon. My pride screamed at me to show no reaction, to continue my steps along the path, but it took me several painful moments to get over the shock. I forced my feet to move and pasted a calm smile on my face. It was clear the gossip had made the rounds.... [Read more]

#1045225

February 21, 2023 at 8:53pm

“David, sit down. We need to talk.” Ugh, I hate it when parents say that. You know you’re in trouble, you just don’t know what for yet. I racked my brains trying to figure it out, but I couldn’t think what I’d done wrong. My mum was clearly the one in charge tonight. “Your swim instructor tells us that you’re not trying in class. You’re not putting any effort in. You were doing so well. Talk to us, tell us what’s wrong.” I could barely believe my ears. This... [Read more]

#1045224

February 21, 2023 at 8:54pm

Harland Green, Duke of Carlisle, surveyed the wallflowers over his glass of lukewarm punch. Which one should he deign to dance with? He had promised his mother that he would make an effort to find a wife in the coming Season, and even if she wasn’t attending this particular ball, the gossiping matrons would ensure she heard about every lady he danced with, spoke to, or smiled at. He groaned, then quickly looked left and right to make sure no one had noticed. He didn't dare dance with t... [Read more]

#1045223

February 21, 2023 at 8:54pm

His hand was large and warm. As my friend Jen introduced us, I ran my gaze up his broad chest and shoulders to his face and witnessed a smile so infectious that I couldn’t help but smile back. His twinkling blue eyes were crinkled at the corners as if he laughed a lot. I felt a small tug on my hand, and realised that I’d been standing there staring at him while he was waiting for me to let go of his hand. My face heated and I momentarily closed my eyes, wishing I could just sink through t... [Read more]

#1045222

February 21, 2023 at 8:55pm

Earth and all her troubles seemed so distant at that moment yet, if he closed his eyes, the faint perfume of roses drifting from the unopened envelope in his hand could almost make him believe he was at home. Mark smiled softly to himself, and without removing his gaze from the blue and green globe visible through the window, he raised the envelope to his nose and inhaled. Katherine. Although the fragrance was sold by most major retailers on Earth, in his mind the scent would always be unique... [Read more]

#1045221

February 21, 2023 at 8:55pm

"I have a little surprise for you!" Simon quirked one dark eyebrow. It was Valentine's Day, so he'd been expecting something. "Let me guess. A card, some flowers and some chocolates." Jamie's face fell, the sparkle disappearing from his blue eyes. "But... I thought..." Now Simon felt like an ass. It wasn't Jamie’s fault that Simon was fed up with the predictability of their relationship. "Sorry, Jamie. I'm sure I'll love them.&... [Read more]

#1045189

February 21, 2023 at 8:56pm

“Burn the witch! Burn the witch!” Low echoes of the chant slithered across the dirty cobblestones and under the badly warped door of the small townhouse where Sophia and her mother sat on rickety low stools at the kitchen table mending Sophia’s ragged clothes, trying to squeeze just a little bit more life from the faded rags. Sophia's eyes widened at the noise and she glanced fearfully to her mother looking for reassurance. "Another one, Maman," she whispered. "The... [Read more]

#1045188

February 21, 2023 at 8:56pm

I looked around frantically. All these corridors and doorways – where did they lead? I couldn’t resist a quick glance at the time, and was shocked at how long it had already taken me. Oh dear, I was so late, so late. Oh dear, oh dear… I threw open one door after another, but didn’t recognise any of the rooms. Some were brightly lit, every golden surface shimmering. Others were dim. I sped down the hallway, then skidded abruptly to a halt on the smooth plastic floor as one of the ... [Read more]

#1045179

February 21, 2023 at 8:57pm

I lifted one booted foot and crossed my legs at the ankle. Beneath lowered lids, I surveyed Hannigan's. The scarred tables and the lingering smell of stale alcohol hadn't changed since my last visit. The barkeep slid a bottle of beer to a waiting customer and I nodded in approval. If you were high enough in the instep to believe that beer should be drunk from a glass, you should be drinking elsewhere. Hannigan's wasn't a cafe, a wine bar or a cocktail lounge. It was a p... [Read more]

#1045178

February 21, 2023 at 8:57pm

The day started off just like any other, a beautiful golden sunrise giving way to a spectacular day. The sun beamed through the glass, smothering me in her warm grace. Just when I was starting to relax, opening myself to her embrace…. "Hey, get your hands off me!" The hands that had tended me with such love and care disregarded my outburst. "What...?!" A sharp knife sliced through me and I froze in horror. The pain wasn't bad, but the shock was just awful. How could... [Read more]

#1045177

February 21, 2023 at 8:58pm

Derek’s head snapped up as sounds of fright and panic came across the campground. He looked across the orderly arrangement of tents, cars and campervans to see a harried woman moving frantically from group to group. Even as his hands continued automatically connecting tent poles, he started to analyse the situation. He guessed the woman was a few years younger than him, perhaps early to mid thirties. It was her voice that contained the panicked notes he’d picked up on. By the way he... [Read more]

#1045176

February 21, 2023 at 8:58pm

Derek grabbed the fist that sixteen year old Amy had aimed for his face and twisted her arm up behind her back, just as a tinny rendition of Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here’ sounded from one of the pockets on his cargo pants. His temporary loss of concentration was all that Amy needed to seize the opportunity to knee him in the groin. The air rushed out of Derek as he sank to his knees on the hardwood floor of the gymnasium. It was long moments before he could focus on anything bey... [Read more]

#1045171

February 21, 2023 at 8:59pm

“Kare tenei hikoi oku, he hikoi noa – aha ranei – ki te miri-miri i nga paoro o Te Roringi.” I didn’t understand her words but the power in her voice reached deep inside me and a shiver slid up my spine. I gazed in wonder at the wizened woman leading the crowd out of the tiny town of Te Hapua. I heard they had chosen Whina Cooper to lead the march, the hikoi , because she possessed mana, the respect of the people. They believed this tiny woman would reach out and grasp the a... [Read more]

#1045170

February 21, 2023 at 9:03pm

Emma stepped out of the car, not waiting for Jack to come around and open the door for her. She adjusted the strap of her handbag over her shoulder and nudged the door closed with her hip. Hearing Jack’s footsteps round the front of the car, she looked up at him and smiled. His hair looked dark in the streetlight, not the rich brown she’d seen in the restaurant earlier. Emma started up the footpath towards her front door, knowing Jack was likely watching her hips swing from behind. ... [Read more]

#1045169

February 21, 2023 at 9:04pm

In the 1880s, life was hard in London if you were poor. It might have been the biggest city in the world, but it was dirty and crowded. There were opportunities, but not enough for everyone. Not nearly enough. If you were a woman, your choices were few, and they were nasty. In Whitechapel alone, there were 62 brothels and more than 1,200 prostitutes. For most, it wasn’t a choice. It was survival. Many were without homes, and as a result of everything else, mortality and infant mortalit... [Read more]

#1045167

February 21, 2023 at 9:04pm

Heather stared at the ship and all the activity that was taking place in and around it. She hadn’t expected it to be quite so busy. Had she left it too late? The more people that saw her, the greater the risk of her being discovered. She gulped, and reminded herself to breathe in slowly and then out. Staying calm was her only hope of pulling this off. One last time, Heather checked that her outfit was exactly as it should be – her curly brown hair that she’d cut short herself wit... [Read more]

#1045166

February 21, 2023 at 9:05pm

Patrick sucked in a hard breath as warm lips pressed against his abdomen. His eyes drifted closed, intensifying the distant sound of birdsong and the feel of the hard, cold brick against his bare back. The lips moved slowly up his chest until a tongue laved his nipple. A sudden suction had him jerking his arms down instinctively, the hard manacles around his wrists biting in to his flesh. Gasping, he winced and pushed his arms back up to relieve the pressure. A low chuckle reached his ears ... [Read more]

#1045165

February 21, 2023 at 9:05pm

I glared at Tim, then quickly glanced back down at my beer when his gaze flicked towards me. I desperately wished to be anywhere else but here, but Becky had insisted. And I'd do anything for Becky. We'd been friends for years, and I'd been lusting after her the whole time. I'd been gathering up the courage to make my move when Tim had swooped in and stolen her from me. Well, not stolen, but dammit, I know she'd have been mine if he'd just stayed away another week. ... [Read more]