Alex McColm

“Commune” by Alex McColm

Submitted to Contest #259

Sheets of rain streaked across the windscreen as Robbie Smith weaved through the winding country roads at a speed less than safe for his continued wellbeing. In his desperation he figured he needed a two or three hour head start on the police in order to avoid apprehension. He was well known in and around Inverness - petty theft , burglary , minor assault - mostly but he needed to escape the trap and armed robbery was a major step up for the delinquent. What did he have to stay for anyway? His dad disappeared a long time ago , mum chain...

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“God's Gift” by Alex McColm

Submitted to Contest #258

As he lifted the last bulging cardboard box on to the kitchen table with a sigh , Sean lamented his late wife's knack for hoarding memories like a squirrels acorns. 'Once they're gone , they're gone' she would always say. That was certainly the case now as , after a lifetime planning for retirement and what they would do together , cancer decided to intervene. Jean had been buried three months but the world around Sean was a haze since then. Three months , and he got to the last of the photos now. He sat at the kitchen table clutching the ne...

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“The Romance of the Cup” by Alex McColm

Submitted to Contest #256

As Gill admired herself proudly sporting her Queen of the South shirt in the mirror , she turned left and right , approved of her own curvature and decided to finish dressing. Her stomach curvature looked particularly strong in the football shirt , not slim , curvaceous but not overly , and she was voluptuous which diminished its proportion. She worried a little about what she would look like pregnant and by her own admission did as little exercise as she could get away with. It wasn't laziness but pure exercise and athleticism really w...

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“Denial , futile” by Alex McColm

Collar upturned and raindrops spilling from the long trenchcoat , the weary figure of Inspector Jim Murphy entered the archway to the chapel and stopped inside the doorway.The storm was relentless but a fitting canvas for the storm to come. Nevertheless , he was patient and respectful to the slim , elderley figure kneeling at the altar. Whispering in prayer, 'In nomine padre , et figli et spiritu sanctu , Amen', Father Brendan O'Halloran opened his eyes , rose stiffly from his knees and turned briskly , smiling ''Inspector Murphy , what...

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“Vade ad Victor Spoila” by Alex McColm

Submitted to Contest #254

Praefectus Atticus surveyed the scarred terrain in front of him , his two legions had put paid to the Carthaginians finally and fifteen years of suffering was ebbing to a close. His mounted cavalry cut a red swathe through the decimated infantry lines , once regimented and strong , now buckling , wounded by defeat and Carthaginian blood spread like growing shadows under the sunset.The war weary General had an unenviable task to shoulder even yet. The two legions were inspired to victory by two of the finest officers in the Empire and as he r...

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“The Elephant Cafe” by Alex McColm

Submitted to Contest #253

Martin walked along George IV Bridge in Edinburgh's Old Town and stopped across the road from the Elephant House cafe to take it in. Its pillar box red fascia and gold lettering above the entrance captured an enticing warmth before entering into the cosy turmeric-coloured interior to meet Craig for another caffeine-fuelled film critique.It had been a big year for movies - Forrest Gump had swept the Oscars when a masterpiece in Pulp Fiction had been largely overlooked despite two Oscar-worthy lead actors and up against a larger production whi...

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“The Cynic Clinic” by Alex McColm

Submitted to Contest #252

Silas Romanov , head of pharmaceutical giant Cytech , the world's leading anti-depressant and anti-psychotics manufacturer , took a long draw of his Cuban cigar , exhaled steadily and looked down on the rest of Manhattan , smiling. Ironically , the glossy black of the surrounding tower blocks reminded him of the shiny onyx tombstone he'd picked out for his father. Death was final and fruitless , and more importantly , sickeningly unprofitable. Everything was going according to plan , as long as the human race remained self destructive , Cyte...

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“The Enlightened” by Alex McColm

Submitted to Contest #251

The EnlightenedRyan Gordon , alias , Flyin' Ryan or Flash , leaned back in his gaming chair after the less fun part of his intrepid (mis)adventures , the travel blog. But this time was different - Everest , Angkor Wat , even the Great Wall were all spectacular in their own way , climbing each and learning about their origins were enriching , but there was a feeling about Machu Picchu , altogether more peace........serenity .......calm in the mind.Calm was a rare commodity for Ryan , since childhood , he always buzzed around , running wild , ...

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“Priceless” by Alex McColm

Submitted to Contest #250

"Your majesty , you have outdone yourself , you bring honour to your people and all the kingdom of.............." The Prime Minister trailed off , obediently."Decades!' The Sultan interrupted , raising a thick index finger to his political servant ,"........of research ...........of searching ............ bargaining.........and finally!' he exclaimed as he turned to the presentation altar and his eyes widened as they adorned his latest prize ,'She belongs to me!'He strode slowly , yet purposefully towards the microphone stand "Behold , my lo...

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“Harley Davidson” by Alex McColm

Submitted to Contest #249

"I got it under control , man ' he mumbled........................ At first , he sensed a warm pink/orange glow and his closed eyelids slowly peeled to reveal the yellow-white ceiling of his bedroom and a vague , but obnoxious, piercing beep-beep-beep to his left. As Colin 'Harley' Davidson casually rubber-stamped the edge of his left fist on the Snooze button , temples throbbing , dry mouthed and pulse trip-hammering from last nights pub exertions , a bolt of panic coursed down his neck. "oh.....wait.....' a worried glance at the clock...

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