I planned to return to the orphanage where I was raised once I'd completed my medical schooling, to look after the sick children there. I had fond memories of old Dr. Franken, and I knew he'd been getting on in years. I had been assured by the head matron that my skills would be welcome, and that Dr. Franken was hoping to retire soon. Of course, it ( Read more... )

Brand new suckers! the sign advertised. She paused, tilted her head, and considered the shop's window. A few pumpkin suckers winked at her, and candy cobwebs illuminated the edges of the window. A gingerbread witch dangled from the center. She made a moue at it; you could tell it was a witch because of the large wart portrayed on the nose. She ( Read more... )

The glint in the small girl's eyes was disconcerting enough that the parrot hopped two feet away on its perch, tilted its head, and eyed her with a warning glare. "Polly wanna cracker!" the parrot threatened. The small girl did not look impressed. "Mommy," she insisted, "I want a parrot!" "Now then," sue Ellen said, stepping forward and smiling ( Read more... )

The wisps of clouds surrounded the balloon and swept through the ropes that tied the basket to the balloon. Their cold and clammy touch made Tammy shiver, and she crouched lower in the basket. Above her, Rob swore and turned up the methane, trying to get the balloon to lift out of the clouds. She hadn't realized it would be so bloody complicated ( Read more... )

A farthing for a crow, a farthing for a candy, but the candy's only sweet for a moment and the crow will take you past the reaper. He mused over the old poem and decided that, all in all, he would rather have the candy. Take what was sweet when it was there and worry about death when it came for him. He rather doubted that a crow could sweep him ( Read more... )