Liza Anne

“Paradise Lost” by Liza Anne

Submitted to Contest #248

   Emma stared out the window and tried to memorize the scenery as it passed. She could see the flourishing greenery, but in all honesty, she couldn’t determine any of the details. Not through her tears. She refused to blink or close her eyes all at, knowing that the moment she did the tears would fall without stopping.   The train’s journey wasn’t smooth and Emma was jostled repeatedly at its sudden lurches. She wished they would reach her destination soon. Only then could she truly leave everything behind. But...

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“One Night” by Liza Anne

   Julia releases the breath she’s been holding. She stares at the list she’s working on, then closes her eyes as if she can’t stand to see it. Every year she feels the expectation to come up with New Year resolutions, but nothing seems right to her. Instead of supporting her goals for the coming year, the list creates a weight of self-conscious dissatisfaction. Julia rests her arms on the table, and her head on her arms. Tears prickle her eyes. She closes them before any can fall.    When night falls, Julia dec...

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“Once in a Lifetime” by Liza Anne

Submitted to Contest #91

Emily scrambles out of the school building with her notebook and pencil in hand and backpack unzipped. She runs and runs as if she is being hunted by all the other students. In reality, they stare at her with unsettled apprehension or disconcerted surprise as they carry on their own way. Emily boards the bus, using her student ID to get a free pass, and begins putting away her notebook and pencil. When she zips her bag she makes eye contact with the guy across from her. She can tell what he’s thinking; why would you run out of class without ...

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“Partners In Crime” by Liza Anne

Submitted to Contest #89

“Next time you want to play with me, learn the game.”Cassie levels me with a predatory smirk. I glare at her attempting to look mildly annoyed instead of utterly defeated. It’s unconvincing, probably because I’m sprawled out on the floor and she’s perched on top of the desk holding Marie Antoinette’s priceless, diamond necklace teasingly out of reach. I kick out, catching her leg with mine, and pull her off the desk. She stumbles, but doesn’t fall. As her eyes darken, I regain my footing. We both know it all depends on who gets to the w...

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“Who's There? (How It Happened part 2)” by Liza Anne

Mary slipped out of bed and opened the front door.  “Oh good, you’re still awake.” Abbie smiled. “Is it alright if I come in?” “Of course.” Mary stepped to the side and they settled into her living room. “Would you like something to drink? Tea? Water?” “If it’s not too much trouble I would love some tea.” Mary stood and went to the kitchen. Abbie looked at her with apprehension. “I meant to check on you earlier, but time got away from me. You seem better, though. Than when I saw you earlier, I mean.” Mary came back with the tea then the...

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“So It Goes” by Liza Anne

Submitted to Contest #68

“I’m terrified that I failed as a mother.”She doesn’t look me in the eye. Instead, she looks slightly off to the side at my mini, indoor, water fountain. I find the constant rhythm of babbling water to be soothing and comforting. Perhaps she finds the sight of it does the same for her.“That is an exceptionally common fear.” I smile at her reassuringly. She briefly meets my eyes. “I might even say the fear of failure is the most common fear.”“But it’s more than that.”“Oh?”“If I failed my kid, I ruined his life.” Her hazel eyes shine with unsh...

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“How It Happened” by Liza Anne

Submitted to Contest #67

The banging on the door thundered in the room. The receptionist bounded out of her chair and ran to the door. A woman tumbled in, soaking wet from the rain and covered in mud. Tripping and slipping, she hurtled herself to the desk and cowered against it. The receptionist closed the door and slowly approached her. “It’s alright, you’re safe now.” She extended her hands in a pacifying and soothing manner. “Can you tell me your name?”“M-m-Mary.” She shivered and curled in on herself. “Mary Burns.”“My name is Abbie. Would you like some wate...

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“The Whole Story” by Liza Anne

Submitted to Contest #65

“If this goes south, I need you to promise me something.”“Anything.”“Don’t leave until you know the whole story.”Her last words ring in my ears and swirl around my head. They always land on the same two words. Don’t leave. The bed feels stiff under my body and the blanket presses down on me like a twenty ton weight. The room has a faint glow from the dawn’s light slipping through the window. A numbing wave of acceptance rolls through my body.I roll out of bed and peer out the window. It’s barely six o’clock, but there are two boys playing ba...

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“What Happens in the Basement of Number Seven” by Liza Anne

Submitted to Contest #64

Little Hallow is a very small town located just north of Nowhere and three hours west of Witch Haven. It’s so small that the houses are numbered without a road name. Very few come to Little Hallow and even fewer leave. It is a place full of witches and warlocks, owls and black cats, and all sorts of magical objects. The inhabitants of Little Hallow are not happy, per se, but they are content. In such a small town, everyone’s lives are so interconnected, and that is enough to keep them complacent for the moment.“Lilith! Lucy! Come quickly, no...

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“The First Flight” by Liza Anne

Submitted to Contest #63

I lift my head from where it was tucked under my wing. The first chill wind of winter has hit. The force of its gust knocks the leaves out of the tree and I watch as the world momentarily swirls red, orange, and gold. Then everything settles again. I extend myself as I rise then jump and catch myself before I drop too low. The ground is sparse, far more than I’ve ever seen before. Granted, I’ve never experienced a winter. My greatest hope is that I never do. I’m going to fly south where it’s warmer and there will be more food to hunt.I retur...

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“That Night” by Liza Anne

Submitted to Contest #62

The door slammed against the wall as she threw it open. There wasn’t much time and she knew it. Her feet pounded against the ground as she ran onto the nearly abandoned rain-soaked dirt road. It was frigid and dark. She was panting as she tried to stay steady on the slippery path. The footsteps behind her increased their speed. Her vision blurred from the bright headlights of a passing car. It was just enough to distract her from a hole in the road and her stomach lurched as she tripped. He caught up to her just as her head slammed into a ro...

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