The slab of ice was taller than me, and I swallowed nervously before selecting my tools.

The camera in the corner of the cold room had its red light blinking away steadily, and I knew that the whole world was watching me.

When I’d woken up here hours before, I had tried pleading with my captors, even trying to use the chisel to break my way out. However, my kidnapper was smart, and turned the li...

“Hansel,” came an exhausted voice. “Look…”

The river had frozen the twins thoroughly, but when he followed Gretel’s shaking finger the young boy felt an icy shiver down his spine.

The witch waited for them, only a few yards away.

Her dress was black and sent embers to the ground as two focused eyes looked right at the children.

They’d been swimming for a while, but Gretel took a somewhat stead...

Dandelion weave, through nettles green.

It may look untidy, to those who cannot see.

That the thistles, crabgrass, and bindweed hide,

Fragile daisies, that otherwise wouldn’t survive.

Foxgloves bloom, hidden from sight,

So that kind thoughts are not taken in spite.

People can snip and shear any colour they see,

So that the garden of dreams is bare and empty.

Though few would dare to cut the st...

The prey was trapped as the tide rose,

Darkness was falling and eerie eyes glow.

A twisted foot trapped between rock,

Shouting for help with skin like chalk.

Water crept up to the waist,

A creature didn’t want to wait.

Sharp teeth nipped curiously at knees,

Shock - realisation - and a sharp scream.

But with a deep bite came a saviour,

A half-fish person as strong as any sailor.

The monsters f...

The vampire leapt from the shadows and the hunters were wholly unprepared.

She was too fast, like a panther on the prowl in the trap she’d set.

The vampire had worried about it being too obvious, and almost laughed in glee as her dinner walked on in.

For all the beeping technology they carried, it was lights out for the rookie group of seven.

Make that six.

Four - double kill!

Three.

Two, who br...

The old rusty siren surprised everyone when it started wailing.

To some, there was confusion as to what it meant. For the rest, they were activated like sleeper agents.

They scanned the skies, boarded up homes, sent family into bunkers.

Wary visitors were herded to safety, even though the skies were blue and clear.

Only a handful stayed outside, and when the house fell without warning from abov...

I only saw my mother eat once when I was young,

Forever in my memories it has clung.

“There is fine food all around - but we must wait,”

She’d explain “- as all else is just bait.”

One day my mother pointed without a word,

To something that was both soft and blurred.

With her pale hands she lifted it from the air,

Pursed her lips and consumed while I stare.

She told me it tasted of home,

That ...

Every twenty years the moons of Saturn align and any wish can come true.

That’s what the brochure said, anyway.

I might just be some dumb tourist to the people that live here, but after the year I had, I could use a wish.

My starship broke down and I had to scrap it, then my credit account was hacked, and to top it off, my identity was stolen by a robot who lived in my house whilst I was at wor...

The clouds roll in and the mermaid looks sadly at the small human before her.

“Do you have to go?” The girl asks, tears brimming. “You can live in my bathtub!”

“You know I can’t, sweet child. But fret not. I will remember long after my form has passed on and my siblings forget my name. This summer, meeting you, it was all worth it.”

The little girl went to reply, but it was too late.

Night had ...

Ive had this nightmare before, but not on so many screens.

The floor is lit up in a red hue, and I cautiously call out;

“Hello? I think the power went out!”

There’s no answer and I swallow nervously before scrambling in the shadows for my bag and making my way to the exit.

Even the neon exit sign is dark, but in the red light, a man waits for me.

“Uh, hey, what’s going on? Power cut?” I ask....