I read in the news today that someone has stolen the famous, or infamous, sign from the gates of Auschwitz that reads “Arbeit macht frei”. “Arbeit macht frei” roughly translates to “work brings freedom” and was the title of a story that I wrote some time ago for a collection of short stories that was never published.
It is a story very much about guilt and today I am dedicating it to the thieves who have profaned a place that should be a marker to us all, a reminder of …

Originally published in Monkeys with Machineguns #2, “Why Snow Should Not Be Red” is being re-published as an eBook in honour of the shutdown of the UK in the great snow of February 2009!

Don your snow shoes, you’re in for a chilly one …

Death of a Victim was awarded third place in the first ever J.A. Konrath writing competition and was also awarded “story of the week” in Alaric’s weekly review of the alt.fiction.original newsgroup for the week 15th – 21st May 2003.
The victim waited in darkness and silence. It was faceless and formless, without past or present. Yet, the victim infinitely preferred the nothingness of the void to what it knew inevitably come after. Time did not exist here, yet the victim was aware that the void would give way, must give …

“Vasily Kosov is Dead” was published in Wilde Times
In the cramped and dirty hotel room, Vasily tried to get used to the sagging bed underneath him while Hart paced back and forth in front of the door.
“I don’t need a guard,” grumbled Vasily. His voice was slurred, his Russian accent more distinct now as he put less effort into speaking English and more into extending his last moments of life. He was an old man, but tenaciously grasped at fleeting life with straining lungs and heart.
“What happened back there?” asked …

Junior Doctor was published by Wilde Times
“I see you have locked the study door again. Is the boy to live on bread and water forever?”
“What would you suggest father?” asked Joshua, his eyes fixed on his plate, “That I take a hunting crop to his legs?”
Joshua’s father’s cruel eyes flashed as he skewered a quivering piece of fish from his plate.
“It worked on you,” he said darkly, popping the cold flesh into his mouth.

Why Snow Should Not Be Read was originally due to appear in David Haye’s new Masters of the Macabre anthology. When that publication was cancelled, it became the prose feature in Monkeys with Machineguns #2.
I did Peter and Jenny quicker. I was still Daddy after all, and they were good kids. They stood still when I told them to, even with Mummy crawling back from the stairwell, trailing red slush behind her. I think she might have tried to call out to them, but the patch of skull that I …

Timebomb Monologue was the second story that I contributed to the Monkeys with Machineguns Hammer of Time anthology.
“I see you have locked the study door again. Is the boy to live on bread and water forever?”
“What would you suggest father?” asked Joshua, his eyes fixed on his plate, “That I take a hunting crop to his legs?”
Joshua’s father’s cruel eyes flashed as he skewered a quivering piece of fish from his plate.
“It worked on you,” he said darkly, popping the cold flesh into his mouth.

Business Lunch was entered in the alt.fiction.original newsgroup’s February 2004 challenge.
Hello.
My name is Katie and I am nine years old. You don’t have a name yet because you are just my imaginary friend. I wish I had real friends, but you will have to do. I’m locked in a box at the moment you see, and I don’t think anyone else will fit in here with me.
I’ve been here for a few hours, I think. I’m not sure how I got to be in this box, although I am quite …

Day Three was published by Eternal Night
“I’m not sure why I’ve started this diary today. I found the notebook and the pens a few nights ago while I was hunting through the kitchens for food. I’m not even sure why I took them, as I’m trying not to carry anything more than essentials with me from day to day now. I guess I just want to leave something behind when I’m gone and I’m sure that that time isn’t too far away. I want to record what’s happened to me, …

Acquired Tastes was published in 2004 by Another Realm
The princess dropped her bedding slightly, revealing the top of the intricate lace-work of a bodice. “And being all alone for so much of the time, just thinking and dreaming,” she said, her voice husky now and audibly dripping with intent, “One has the opportunity to acquire some most remarkable tastes.”
“A bodice?” said the thief with a smile. “How positively medieval. “It is the twenty first century you know.” Dropping his sack to the floor, he advanced on the bed, pulling his …