November 27th, 2012 by Theresa

The squad of armed soldiers ghosted into the lab.  Dr. Zhung followed the team after they cleared the room.  She ran to the last functioning computer terminal. There had to be something here to tell them why the world went crazy overnight.

“Here!” She hissed to the team leader.  “I’ve got the last recording!” Quickly she played the video. While it started she downloaded the contents of every drive still connected to the terminal to her laptop. Eerily, the image of her late husband appeared on the screen. His voice chilled her to the bone.

“Project Goodnight has been taken over by Dr. Aubin.  I am fully against his involvement in this. He says he’s doing the right thing by weaponizing  my dream technology.  The fool.  Right now, I’m not so sure that testing it in mental hospitals and prisons across the globe was a good idea.  If you’re seeing this I’m dead. You either are my ex-wife or you know her.  I loved you Zee.  Download everything and fix this.  If none of the schematics make sense, there’s only one thing you should know. They’re dreaming Zee, awake and dreaming their worst nightmares. Wake them up.”

The video ended. Dr. Zhung felt tears fall then dashed them away.  “I’ve got it all,” she announced. “Let’s get back to base.”  None dared speak until they were in the van and safe.

“What’s the plan?” asked the squad leader softly.

“I wake the world,” she growled. “Time to rise and shine.”

Honourable Mention on Thursday Threads with Siobhan Muir

November 20th, 2012 by Theresa

“Mary!” Frank’s voice boomed across the half empty church.  His voice echoed off the high ceilings as he called her again. “Mary! Please!”

Mary finally emerged from the office behind the altar. Frank’s breath caught. She was radiant and more beautiful than ever. He had to make his case now.

“Honey I’m sorry that I wasn’t there for you. Please give me another chance!” Frank got on his knees ignoring the shocked whispers around him. He reached for her hands and kissed them both.  “I promise from this day forward,  in front of God and everyone here, that I will be the man you want. I will love you forever and never leave you.”

Mary stood speechless.  She looked desperately around the crowd and behind her.   Frank saw confusion in her face then relief.  Frank smiled. ‘I’ve got her back,’ he thought.

“Sorry, that job’s taken.” The bass voice didn’t come from Mary. It came from a man exiting the same office. Dressed in a tuxedo, the big man reached a hand to Frank to help him up.  The big man patted him on the shoulder. “Nice try, though.”

“Mr. and Mrs. McDever?” A smiling chauffeur stood at the church doors. “Your limousine’s’ ready!”

Frank stumbled back and sat heavily on the floor of the church. Tears falling, he watched the love of his life walk away with the man of her dreams.

Honorable Mention on Thursday Threads with Siobahn Muir

contemporary, Flash Fiction, romance, Thursday Threads, writing

November 13th, 2012 by Theresa

Nettie looked up from her clipboard and surveyed the dinner party.  ‘This is it,’ she thought. ‘This is the event that put my business on the map.’

“Oh no, HE’s here!”  Her assistant Donna’s not so quiet voice reached her.  Panicked Nettie searched the crowd for her ex, Jake. She spotted him quickly – the only dressed out cowboy at a black tie event.   “He even brought the damn dog!” Donna exclaimed.

Nose flaring, Nettie made a beeline to Jake as he and his old Catahoula, Roscoe, schmoozed their way through the crowd. Before she could lay into Jake and his big blue eyes, her client Mr. Mathis intercepted her.

“This is the best event ever, Nettie!  We’ll definitely book you for all our functions in the future!  Nice touch with the cowboy! ”

Jake sidled up to her as Mr. Mathis left her agog. “You’re welcome,” he said grinning.

November 6th, 2012 by Theresa

Shots echoed in the onset of night.  Arguing voices stilled in the jungle clearing. The teleportation trip for the newbies always messed them up. The Earth they knew was long gone. Humans had to survive somehow – even without their consent.

“Listen up!”  Connor yelled. “Don’t matter who had the most money, influence or whatever.  I don’t give a rats ass who had what!  You want to live?  This petty shit has to stop right now!”  He put the safety back on rifle and slung it back over his shoulder by the strap.  Glaring at everyone in the group,he picked up his pack and moved up the trail.

Following, I knew my place.I knew how to stay alive.

“Just who the hell do you think you are?” sniped a man still in his slick suit.The aliens better be right about his superb DNA chain. Otherwise, I’d kill him myself.

“Connor got zapped to this place just like you three years ago,” I offered. “Good thing for us he’s SAS and his entire ammo bunker came with him.  He’s got the combat knowledge and fire power to stay alive.  I’ve been here two years. I’m a hiker and survivalist. I know what to eat, where to sleep and can tell when the animals in this jungle are on the prowl.”

I picked up Connor’s trail and headed back to our camp.

“We’re your best chance for survival,” I called back. “As far as I’m concerned, we are God.”

As appeared on Thursday Threads with Siobhan Muir

http://siobhanmuir.blogspot.ca/2012/11/thursthreads-challenge-that-ties-tales.html