Shannon Ethel

“Cat Eyes” by Shannon Ethel

Submitted to Contest #169

“Leave him alone!”Ellie barreled after her older brother, lungs stinging as they sucked in cold air and boots slapping heavily against the wet ground. Ahead of her, autumn twilight revealed Jake’s back, caked with mud all the way down to his legs. He moved quickly, arms swinging in a snapping motion as he sprinted down the leaf littered road. Suddenly, his whole body twisted, turning and disappearing into a field. Ellie let out a scream of frustration, skidding to a halt before darting after him. Long, wet grass beat against her shins a...

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“The Dying Season II: Bull in a China Shop” by Shannon Ethel

"Listen," Weiss sighs, scratching his head in exasperation, "I'm just trying to help you out here.""You can't," Jamie Blake looks like a kicked puppy, drooping over the table and not looking up at Weiss, "She's dead and youthink I'm the one that did it."I don't. Weiss doesn't say, but maybe he should.They’ve been in the interrogation room for 2 hours now. White walls and bright lights cage them in together as Blake plays with the ring in his hand.Its evidence. Gilly’s engagement ring found at the scene, but Weiss can’t quite bring himself to...

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“The Dying Season” by Shannon Ethel

Submitted to Contest #118

It’s still dark out when the call comes in. Some dog walker got a surprise on their morning jaunt, their prized terrier sniffing out a body laying a few feet off the street. The sun’s just peeking its rays out by the time Officer Blake gets out of the car, feeling a little tender from his 4:30 start and no coffee to comfort him.Muddy leaves practically carpet the sides of the road, colouring everything in muted browns. There’s a fine sheen of frost on the ground already, like winter decided autumn wasn’t dying fast enough for it. It's only j...

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“The Last Summer” by Shannon Ethel

Submitted to Contest #99

“So, this is where he died then?” Will asked, turning to his father for confirmation. “Yes,” Charlie “Chip” Shaw answered deliberately, weak eyes peering over the ground that still haunted his dreams. He leaned on his walking stick heavily. It had been a long time since he had been back here. A lifetime, most would day. Will, with lines creasing his own face, gave a small, perfunctory smile. How could he guess what raced through his father’s mind? It was so different now, the high summer sun giving rise to rolling green fields and calm sk...

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“Shadow on the Wall” by Shannon Ethel

Submitted to Contest #92

Houses carry echoes of their pasts. Shadows of the people that lived there before, clinging to the corners like spiders’ webs. Every creak, groan and whisper reminding you that you were not the first and assuring that you will not be the last. Janie came to Penrith Cottage as a widow. Its grey stone walls and overgrown garden greeted the weary woman with as much enthusiasm as she felt. “Are you sure this is the place, love?” the taxi driver asked, pushing up the brim of his cap to peer up at the solemn structure. The nearest neighbour was a...

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“Red Letter Day” by Shannon Ethel

Submitted to Contest #91

This was it. The day. The final day.Tom picked out his outfit that morning accordingly. Shoes that were easy to run in, pants that weren’t too tight and a light jacket that hadn’t failed him yet. He glanced up at the calendar pinned with care to his wall. The date was circled twice in red, a very stark and important reminder of just how important this was.Library books due!!! It stood out to him with three exclamation marks. Three! It had to be taken seriously.He grabbed his backpack, opening it to check that the three nestled books were saf...

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“No More Happy Endings” by Shannon Ethel

🏆 Winner of Contest #88

Once upon a time… …there was only war. She leapt up in triumph, blood dripped from her sword as she swung it down on the beast’s neck, hacking in a frenzy. She laughed. The taste of blood and sweet revenge urged her on in her manic slaying of the creature that had… No, no that wasn’t right. Once there was a girl who… …who had a monster in her, clawing at the surface every waking moment she… No! Not that either. There was once a little girl who… Who what? Tearing the page away and crumpling it into a ball, he threw it over his shoulder to j...

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“Fool Me Twice” by Shannon Ethel

Submitted to Contest #87

It was dark inside the coffin. Johnny stretched up his fingers, letting them drag against the carved wood. It was not Mr. Rushveld’s best work. He’d certainly lain in smoother pieces, so perhaps this one wasn’t quite finished yet. Pine filled his nostrils as he took great, shuddering breaths, trying to tame the pounding in his heart. His side hurt and his left eye was swollen shut. The sounds of the street outside came to him dull and muted, as though he were submerged in water. The rattling of carriages, people shouting halloos and beeps ...

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“The Caged Bird” by Shannon Ethel

Submitted to Contest #86

“She’s an odd little thing, isn’t she?” a whispered voice commented to its compatriot, “Completely barmy! Belongs in the mad house!”“Shhh!” the other hushed, “You don’t want the Dragon hearing you!”“Indeed, Miss Fisher,” the housekeeper, Mrs. Carlisle intoned behind the gossiping maids, “That’s the most sensible thing you’ve said all morning.”Startled, the two girls turned, blushing furiously as they awaited the wrath of the afore mentioned Dragon. Mrs. Carlisle raised a ruddy eyebrow and waited.“Sorry!” they spluttered in unison, rushing to...

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“Greener Trees” by Shannon Ethel

Submitted to Contest #69

  I remember staring out of the window for a long time. Counting snow flakes maybe. There wasn’t much else to do and I was trying to ignore the excited chatter coming from downstairs. Where my head was, I can’t say for sure. Maybe I was imagining Christmases past, running outside in the heat of a southern sun and jumping into swimming pools with my sister. Instead, I was now halfway across the world, shivering in an over-sized jersey and wishing the time would pass faster.   The creak of the door – that house always creaked – drew ...

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“Future Cryonics” by Shannon Ethel

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #62

“I can save your life.” The words reverberate in Felix’s skull, mocking him. How can five words make him shake? How can five words stop everything? They are so straight forward. Clear. No double meanings. No softening. Just there. Not like the words he’s heard before. You have a terminal diagnosis. Five percent survival rate. I’m sorry, there’s nothing we can do. Why can’t they just say the obvious? You’re going to die. He stares at the woman in front of him, takes note of her pointed features and long legs. Not his typ...

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“Glass Eyes” by Shannon Ethel

Submitted to Contest #61

Glass blue eyes stared out at the world, unblinking. I stared back, my reflection rested over the doll’s face, the glass of the display cabinet catching the light. It was a pretty little thing, pale porcelain skin and honey blonde locks. Plaited and neat, I longed for such hair, so different to my unruly black mop. She wore a cornflower blue dress and white pinafore, little black shoes polished to shine. “What are you doing, ma cherie?” I snapped away from the cabinet quickly, heart pulsing at the familiar, husky voice of my great-au...

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“Courtly Love” by Shannon Ethel

Submitted to Contest #61

Florence took her husband’s arm, trying for a serene look as the butler lead them through the pale hall. The fine Turkish carpet softened the sound of their footsteps and she found her eyes feasting on the fine colours and illustrious décor, so unlike their own humble abode in town. In particular, she took note of the suits of armour lining the entrance like guardians from another era. Her striped silk dress, which had felt perfectly fine in the streets of Norwich, now seemed rather drab and silly in London. Giles had already given h...

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“Sleeping Dragons” by Shannon Ethel

Submitted to Contest #60

Pa hummed softly as he worked, calloused fingers brushing tenderly over the piece of wood, knife peeling layer by layer away. Peter watched with rapt attention, admiring each stroke and scrape. Slivers of wood fell to the snowy ground as a sharp puff of breath from Pa’s bearded cheeks send tiny splinters careening into the air.“An’ they could fly?” Peter asked, wide eyed in wonder.Pa grinned, lifting the object into the air. Peter squinted slightly as he looked up. The long, straight wings always confused Peter. Birds wings curved and bent. ...

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