Mark Baxter

“Strange Counsel” by Mark Baxter

Submitted to Contest #239

Strange Counsel "You must kill him," whispered the voice in Sheila's ear, "Before it's too late." Sheila shut off the hairdryer. The warm, languid feeling of her just-completed bubble-bath was crazed like the windshield on a wrecked car by the shiver that crawled up her spine. "What?" She said to the empty bathroom. There was, of course, no reply. She shivered, then resumed blow-drying her hair. "He's cheating on you already," the windy whisper said. "He's going to kill you if you don't act fast." Sheila let the still-running haird...

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“Simon” by Mark Baxter

Submitted to Contest #236

Simon Grampa and the puppy came into our house at the same time. That was the summer I turned eleven. We brought the puppy--an Australian Shepherd--home from the shelter. Grampa came to live with us from the convalescent home. After the whirlwind of getting Grampa settled and making a little home for the puppy, when I had time to sit down and think about all the strangeness, I remember that my first clear thought was, "They both smell weird." While I knew puppies were supposed to smell weird, I felt guilty for thinking that about Gr...

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“The Ice Cream Truck” by Mark Baxter

Submitted to Contest #228

RIIIING! Lawrence growled and sat bolt upright in bed. He was covered in sweat, even though he'd been sleeping on top of the covers. The air conditioning wasn't cutting it again. A glance at his watch told him it was not even eleven in the morning, and already the outside temperature was 98 degrees. RIIING! DING DING RIIIING! "It's the ice cream man," said a small voice in his head. "Just an ice cream truck! You used to love it when--" With another growl, Lawrence swung his bare feet to the floor. Last night's marathon session of ...

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“The Church of the Green Comet” by Mark Baxter

Submitted to Contest #184

It was the Babylon Day party that started it all. If I hadn’t gone to Harry’s party marking five long, hard years since the events of Babylon Day, when the blackout started, I wouldn’t be writing this letter. But … But it was, after all, the fifth anniversary of the start of the blackout, which everyone called Babylon Day. The theme of the party was, of course, Babylon V. Everyone came as their favorite alien ambassador. How could I resist? Things were finally settling down to the new normal. The electrical power industry had gotten used...

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“A Million Miles Between Us ” by Mark Baxter

Submitted to Contest #183

A Million Miles Between Us Tim lay back in the oversized tub and let out a soft moan. The warm water felt good, but he still hurt everywhere. He glanced at the clock above him. “One more time,” he thought, with a sigh of resignation. He took several deep breaths, closed his eyes and let his head fall back, slipping beneath the surface. His head hit the bottom of the tub with a soft thump. He tried to ignore the way the sound echoed in his enlarged sinus cavities. He opened his eyes, and studied the way the room’s lighting shimmered and r...

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“My Crazy Love Life” by Mark Baxter

Submitted to Contest #181

There are certain words which, once uttered, may never be un-said. Certain words which are irrevocable. Phrases like, “I want a divorce,” or, “It’s not you, it’s me,” and “Wow, that’s an ugly baby!” … I could go on. On that particular morning, at the unholy hour of 3:00 A.M., the words that could not be un-said were, “Let’s go for a walk!” Immediately,  those words were heard, processed, and acted upon. A clattering sound soon arose. A jingling noise ensued. An eager vocalization echoed around my tiny apartment, a cross be...

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“The Coveting ” by Mark Baxter

Submitted to Contest #157

The Coveting I am a covetous thing; a ravenous thing. Right now, I am without form or substance, composed purely of need. I hunger for all that you are. I must become you. For creatures of such allure and beauty, you are so very fragile. For all that I am, at present, nothing more than a puff of cold, slightly colder than this winter night, even I remember the roaring vastness from whence I came. I know the universe to be a much darker, much larger place than that which you envision. I embrace the concept that you, for all your warmth, a...

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“Sky's Edge” by Mark Baxter

Submitted to Contest #129

Sky’s Edge Dear Catherine, The first thing we learn, when we go on the run, is to never ask questions. Questions are, after all, doorways. Those who are running away lock those doors behind them. The second thing we learn, perhaps the most disturbing lesson, is that no one is who they seem to be. It is this discovery that makes the runner stumble, and lose their way. More often than not, this insight starts the runner’s mind on the path to the revelation that, in the end, running away is futile. There is nothing more dangerous than t...

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“Tardy” by Mark Baxter

Submitted to Contest #125

"WAIT!" Robin gasped, as she ran up the steep driveway. The massive oaken doors were already swinging ponderously shut. "Wait!" Robin's book bag banged against her hip, as she sprinted the last few yards. She desperately reached for the closing door, catching the handle in a hand slick with rain and sweat. Max, the door guard, seemed not to notice the rain. He was in the process of hauling the schoolhouse door shut; he had to use both hands. Gnarled, old man's knuckles stood out underneath white, kid-leather gloves. His perpetual scowl de...

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“Sounds in a Vacuum” by Mark Baxter

“What’s that noise?” “What noise? Are you in or out?” I tossed my ante into the pot, and cocked my head, listening. “I don’t hear it” Kirsten replied, tossing in a chip. “Three, please.” Her inscrutable black eyes gave nothing away. The perfect poker face. “That sound! None of you hear it?” I discarded two cards, distractedly. I kept turning my head, searching for the source of the noise I was hearing. Greg swiveled his head, then shook it. “Everything sounds normal to me,” he threw down his cards. “Fold.” His perpetually frowning ...

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“The Lilac Bush” by Mark Baxter

Submitted to Contest #106

Being an only child is hard. Your parents are learning on the job. There are no siblings to blame for things. Being born blind adds another dimension to the experience. Still, it’s not as hard as you might think. When you’re a child, miracles are still possible. Imagination is still the key component in determining what you believe you can accomplish. Your world is not yet bounded by what others think you can, or cannot do. My parents were firm believers in the power of education. As a result, I was sent to public school a year ahead of ...

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“Seventeen Seconds” by Mark Baxter

Submitted to Contest #105

1. “Screw you, you old fart!” Zack threw his fork across the room. It bounced off his grandfather’s glasses, landing on the floor with a sound like an alarm bell. Megan burst into tears. Zack jumped to his feet, guilt at Megan’s distress further fueling his rage. “I’m going out with my friends! I’m not staying here for another one of your dinner sermons!” He whirled and ran for the door, only stopping for an instant to stroke Megan’s hair. “Sorry, sis. It’ll be okay,” he whispered. “As God is my witness,” Zack’s grandfather roared, reachin...

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