Kate Simkins

“Writer's Cell Block” by Kate Simkins

Submitted to Contest #291

“It’s no use. You can’t get out.”Alice sat down heavily on a small, wooden chair and folded her arms.Wednesday didn’t even look up from her book. “We’ve all tried it.” She licked her finger and turned the page.“But maybe…” Alice looked towards the great, glass window that overlooked the formal gardens longingly. She walked over and placed her hands against the pane.“Nope. Tried it.”She walked towards the great wooden door and wriggled the brass knob. “What about…?”“Tried it twice.” Wednesday turned another page.“Belle, what about you?” Alice...

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“Social Media: Vapidity Solved” by Kate Simkins

Submitted to Contest #280

“What was that, Dad?” I asked as we were led to our table.“I said that it wasn’t like this in my day,” Dad grumbled as he removed his coat. “They’re everywhere you bloody look. People see the world through a screen nowadays, and I don’t care what anyone says. It’s not right.” Dad nodded his thanks to the waitress who had pulled out his chair.I glanced around but found I couldn’t disagree. The homey restaurant was full of people staring down at their laps. “I guess you're right.”I slid into my seat and relaxed, glad of the restaurant’s warmth...

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“From Russia, with Love” by Kate Simkins

Submitted to Contest #278

“I… need to tell you something.”I leaned further forward in my chair and took Gramma’s hand. It was papery and thin, the veins standing out like mountain ranges against her pale skin. She hadn’t been outside in a while.“What is it?” I said, my voice gentle. She disliked loud noises.Gramma coughed and I instinctively reached for the pitcher, but she placed her hand on mine and patted it. “No, it’s fine. We don’t have much time, child. Please, come closer.”I shuffled my chair closer to the bed and leaned in again, the smell of lavender talcum ...

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“The Dragon Chaser” by Kate Simkins

Submitted to Contest #277

The Dragon Chaser stood on the shores of Atlantis, vigilant. She had watched these skies for years.Waiting. Anticipating. Knowing.The blood that ran through her veins was inextricably linked to the power of the Dragons and she knew in her heart that they would come, with a conviction she had never felt before. The last time they came, drawn to the power of the island, the tsunami from their wings was so large, it reached the mountain, devastating everything in its wake.It couldn’t happen again. Atlantis couldn’t withstand another attack.Kata...

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“Me & Mel” by Kate Simkins

Submitted to Contest #276

It was when Melvin turned to one side and casually vomited on the floor of the pub that I realised the date wasn’t going to end as I had hoped. There was no way I wanted a first kiss after that.   But maybe I should start at the beginning because actually, it all began rather well. There had been rumblings of a future for me and Mel since we met at the ABC cinema in Lancaster a few weeks before the ill-fated, vomit-filled adventure of our first date. I had taken on (another) part-time job to help fund my extravagant student lifestyle (...

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“She is Mine” by Kate Simkins

Submitted to Contest #275

I watched, and I waited. For years I haunted the halls, waiting for the right one. Sometimes, I would think I was close, but inevitable disappointment followed, each and every time. But nobody mourns for a ghost. People came, and people went, but something was always missing. Until I saw her.Oh, how she moved! Grace, elegance, poise. She didn’t know how beautiful she was. The first time she crossed my path, she was late. Rushing through these hallowed halls, books falling from her hands, dark hair tumbling around her shoulders...

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“The Book-Seller: Part 2” by Kate Simkins

“I don’t want you to go, Hattie. I’m asking you to stay. No, I’m begging you to stay. Please.” Prince Darren’s blue eyes met hers as he pleaded. He reached for her hand.“I can’t stay! You know that!” She pulled her hand away, anger flaring. “Darren, it’ll make me so ill. You can’t ask me this… it’s not fair.”Darren’s voice and demeanour changed and he suddenly became the Crown Prince, someone that wasn’t used to being disobeyed. “If you go, Hattie, then that’s it. I won’t ask again,” he said, coldly.Hattie paled. “What?”“I mean it, Hattie. I...

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“The Reckoning” by Kate Simkins

Submitted to Contest #275

As I followed down the street, the road wet beneath my feet,I crossed my heart and on the street I spat,For to follow behind a cat, A black one, at that,Was crazy, but then she looked at me and sat.  I met her eyes and they were green, the strangest I’d ever seen,She looked at me, right into my soul,And I knew that I must follow, That my pride, I must swallow,And face my past if I was to be whole. She lead to the garden of graves, and I knew that I must be brave,And face the demons that I held within,And so as she began to pur...

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“The Kilderchern” by Kate Simkins

Submitted to Contest #274

I know you’ve read a thousand stories about women who have fallen in love with a vampire, with a werewolf, with one of the beautiful Fae. But this is my story, and it doesn’t involve any of the creatures you may have seen in films or read in books, because what he was, and what I am is something else.Are you ready to listen?Since the breaking of the first wave, he has existed; a creature of God, but lost and long-forgotten. For years he walked the wilderness alone, and when it happened that people came, they ran from him, not understanding h...

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“The Lost Letters of Lottie” by Kate Simkins

Submitted to Contest #273

Frances stared at the open letter in front of her, fingers trembling. She added it to the pile and opened the next. 18th March, 1876Dearest Frances,I hope this letter finds you well. Things are unchanged here, and I am dreadfully, most dreadfully lonely. I honestly do not know what I would do without your letters and your kindness. It’s been so long since I have seen anyone other than the servants, that I fear I may have forgotten how to interact with others at all! It is only your correspondence that keeps me balanced and connected to ...

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“The Book-Seller” by Kate Simkins

Submitted to Contest #273

“I know you’re there, Snicket.”The hobgoblin peeped around the old oak tree. “What? Hmm… what?”Hattie stopped walking and turned to look at him. “You may as well come out.”Snicket sidled out from his hiding place and looked around, feigning surprise. “Oh, Hattie. Didn’t see you there,” he said, pretending.Hattie raised her eyebrows and put her hand on her hip. “Really? You’ve been following me since the market.”Snicket looked down at the ground, kicking his feet in the dust.She sighed. “What is it you want this time?” Hattie put down her pil...

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“Moon Face” by Kate Simkins

Submitted to Contest #272

I banged on the door again, loudly this time. I hadn’t seen or heard from Iris in over a week.“Iris? Are you in there?” I peered through the letter box and finally saw some movement. I took a step back onto the pavement as the locks and latches slid open.I looked around the door as it opened, hoping to see my friend, but it wasn’t her.“Anna! I didn’t know you were here!” She looked awful. “Anna? What is it?”She opened the door fully and welcomed me into Iris’s small, over-crowded living room.“Hi, Helen,” she said, dully.I looked at her prope...

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“Hey!” by Kate Simkins

Submitted to Contest #271

“Hey! Hey you’ve dropped…!”Emily tried to catch the attention of the dark-haired man who had dropped his wallet, but the street was too busy and she lost him in the crowd.“Dammit.”Fumbling with her bag, an umbrella and now the dropped wallet, Emily moved the side of the street, the London rush-hour hustle and bustle ignoring her completely.“Just what I need.” Emily mumbled to herself as she popped the wallet into her bag. She caught sight of her watch. “Crap. Now I’ll miss the train.”Emily re-joined the river of people trying to get home aft...

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“The Bench” by Kate Simkins

🏆 Winner of Contest #271

The elderly lady shuffled the few remaining steps to the park bench and sat down, happy to catch her breath and rest for a moment. The autumn sunshine was warm, but the nip in the air made her glad of her warm coat. She placed her handbag neatly on her knee.“Good morning,” said the silver-haired gentleman at the other end of the bench. “Beautiful day.”Elsie smiled. “Yes, it is. Cold, but lovely.”The man folded his newspaper and returned the smile. “I’m George.”“Hello, George. I’m Elsie.” She re-arranged her scarf, her gnarled fingers struggl...

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“The Ku'u Up” by Kate Simkins

Submitted to Contest #270

“Curses!” I swore as I slapped another mosquito out of existence. “There will be none of me left!”My porter, Calixo, said nothing. He didn’t want to be here.“Come on, my man! It’s been days and you haven’t spoken a word! I know you can understand me.”Calixo made the sign of the cross and spat on the ground. Not speaking, per se, but interaction at least.“It’s just a legend, Calixo. There’s nothing to be scared of,” I said, as I navigated the tree roots and fallen branches of the jungle floor.Calixo stopped walking, abruptly, and threw my pac...

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