Annie James

“A Ghost And a Wolf Walk Into a Bar” by Annie James

Submitted to Contest #233

Author's Note: strong language warning. "There are ports in the universe. Places where your realm connects with other realms. Think of the universe as a long subway tunnel. Each port is like a subway exit. Celest's Cafe is just one of those ports." The barista nods her head, as if satisfied with her own explanation. She goes back to washing and drying coffee cups; She pulls them from under the counter, and Ghost can hear the cups clinking together, so she assumes there must be a dishpan under the counter. 'Ordinarily,' Ghost thinks, 'I...

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“Dead Realm Theater” by Annie James

“We won’t be able to get in, Kammi Nakayama whined. “The doors are going to be all locked.” She crossed her arms, rubbing them briskly. “It’s so cold out here, why can’t we just go back to my basement and play a drinking game or something?” Kammi and her friends were standing in a four-foot-wide alley next to an old Broadway Theater. “You’re aren’t scared are you, bestie?” Ruth teased her. “That’s what you always say. I’m not scared, I just think it’s a bad idea to get arrested for breaking and entering,” Kammi snapped. Why am I going ...

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“It Was Enchanting to Meet You. I Promise To Call” by Annie James

Submitted to Contest #96

Introduction: This story introduces new characters Alex and Lexi, and switches between the POVs. Trigger warnings: kissing scene; indirect reference to violence; and description of severe injuries. Alex "Let's go camping. We haven't done that in years," Alex said to his cousin Jerry. "You'll be married soon, and this might be our last chance for a while.  "Alright," Jerry said, "I will call the guys." Later at the campsite, Alex sat moodily watching the other guys pitch their tents with their girlfriends and Jerry with his fia...

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“One Decision Too Late” by Annie James

Submitted to Contest #95

Introduction This chapter picks up two years "The First Circus" left off. from when Kat and Jaime were teenagers. Kat’s POV The Circus returned for the next two summers. That last year, I was fourteen, and Jaime was sixteen. The Circus was only in town for a couple of nights, it was such a short time, but I looked forward to it every year. Not because of the performances, I was getting bored with those, but because I got to spend time with Jaime. We were sitting on hay bales in the stable next to the jail, talking. The hay smelled swee...

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“James in Jail” by Annie James

Submitted to Contest #94

Kat’s POV “I can’t let you go. I can’t break the law.” I told James. He sighed and laid on the cot with his arms folded behind his head, looking up at the cigar smoke-stained ceiling. I studied him for a few moments. He was the type to become better looking with age, his features were tanned and rugged, and his eyes were still as deep blue as ever. When I had first seen him in the Inn during my engagement party, I had felt the butterflies in my stomach, something I hadn’t felt for any other man. I shook my head and forced myself to loo...

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“Return to Me” by Annie James

Submitted to Contest #94

Introduction:This story is unrelated to the Western series I'm writing, and the Kat in the story is not the same character as Katherine Tudor.My cousin and I were wandering around the Carnival last summer, on a Saturday, and we got lost. I had been divorced for six months, and I had had enough of existing alone inside a big empty house. He hadn’t even left me the cat for company. I decided I needed to get out of the house. I saw on the news that the Carnival was in town, so feeling nostalgic, I called up my cousin Kate, and we headed there.T...

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“Kat's Engagement Party” by Annie James

Submitted to Contest #93

Introduction This story takes place roughly 12 years after the events in my story The First Circus and features Kat and Jaime reuniting at Kat's engagement to Richard Burkett. I'm working on a couple of stories about what happened to them during those 12 years, but it didn't fit the prompts this time. _______________________ It had been many years since I had set foot in Hadleigh, Kentucky. My mind was on Kat, and I wondered what had become of her. My two men and I tied our horses in front of Darby’s Inn. Inside, red and white streamers ...

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“The First Circus” by Annie James

Submitted to Contest #92

It was still light out, though it was nearing dinnertime. The Ringmaster arrived first, with a few workers. They put up bright flyers all over Hadleigh, with big letters announcing daring trapeze artists and live animals that I had only seen in picture books. My Papa was the Sheriff, and he told me not to talk to them. He said circus people were strange. So I kept my distance as I watched them. The Ringmaster wore a blue and purple jacket with sparkles and a tall, shiny hat. His black hair curled over his collar, and he didn’t have a beard...

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“Princess of the Spring Festival” by Annie James

Submitted to Contest #89

“What is all the noise? It sounds like a celebration going on at the park,” Artemisia asked as Jeremiah walked into the cabin. “We have a festival to celebrate the arrival of spring. Women bring their crafts and make food. Some of the men play songs, and we hold dances.” Artemisia’s heavy heart lifted. “We celebrate spring in my homeland in a similar way, with music, feasting, and dancing. Vendors and musicians come from all the neighboring kingdoms…” She trailed off, tears coming to her eyes, which she brushed away impatiently. “Come ...

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“The Family You Choose” by Annie James

This story is part of an ongoing series featuring members of the blended clan consisting of the Constantini and Murphy families. I would appreciate any feedback. *** “I never stopped believing in you,” Aysha said, wrapping her arm around Zee’s shoulder as they walked up the stoop to go back into the house. They followed the starchy smell of boiling pasta and the spicy scent of meaty sauce to where Jack was cooking dinner in the kitchen. It reminded Zee of a restaurant kitchen; immaculately clean, dark brown tile floor, sta...

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“Lady in Red” by Annie James

Submitted to Contest #81

Valentine’s Day. Dan Murphy knocked on Molly Walsh’s dorm room door with a dozen roses in his hands and his heart in his throat. “No way that she will turn me down again, not on Valentine’s Day. It’s not like she has another date.” Dan and his Alpha frat brothers had put the word out on campus that Molly was off-limits. “She’d be pissed if she knew that, I’m sure, and she might think I was a stalker.” Dan thought. Molly answered the door with a pint of ice-cream in her hand.  Her eyes lit up.  “Happy Valentine’s Day.” “Than...

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“One Day At A Time” by Annie James

Submitted to Contest #81

Molly was washing dishes in the kitchen when Dan walked in. He stood in the doorway and watched her for a few seconds, then cleared his throat. She jumped at the sudden sound in the previously silent house. “Hi,” She said Dan nodded in response and continued to the fridge to get a bottle of water. The first one he grabbed was warm, so he reached for a colder one farther back. “I’m going to head back to my room,” he said, looking in Molly’s direction but not meeting her eyes. He gestured toward the kitchen doorway. Instead of leaving, h...

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“Brooklyn Rose” by Annie James

Submitted to Contest #81

The year was 1959. Sixteen-year-old Henry Walsh walked into the crowded gymnasium holding the manicured hand of his date, Erica Astor. He pasted on a bright smile and did his best to look like he was having fun. Erica smiled back at him, showing that he had fooled her. Henry took a small flask out of the pocket of his blazer. Erica frowned at him.  “I wish you wouldn’t drink,” she said, her tone icy. Henry shrugged. “I’ll take my fun while I can get it,” He thought. “By this time next year, I will be enrolled in NYU business school ...

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“Santa Doesn't Live Here Anymore PT 2” by Annie James

Submitted to Contest #79

On March 24th, 2020, my phone dinged, letting me know I had a new alert from Facebook. I opened the app and glanced at the request with mild disinterest until I saw the name. “Timothy Harmon has sent you a friend request.” He wore a green and black sweater with a puffy Santa Claus face on the front. On anyone else, it would have looked hideous, but Dad looked just like the picture on his sweater, with a full white beard and a red Santa hat on his head. It suited him perfectly. I remembered how he used to dress up as Santa every year at...

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“Where There is Smoke” by Annie James

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. The crackling sound is what first caught my attention, as I was kicked back in my easy chair, watching TV. The dry leaves burned quickly, snapping sparks flew all directions and rapidly burned the surrounding grass. Leaves blew up and spun in the air as they blackened to ash. The grass wilted as hot embers landed and hissed. I uncoiled the hose, getting it tangled and kinked in my haste, then I wasted precious seconds that seemed like hours, getting it straightened out. I usu...

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