Sol Caine

“Talking Heads” by Sol Caine

Submitted to Contest #239

“Mind the gap. Doors closing…” It had been a gruelling week and James Frobisher felt the weight of the world upon his shoulders. War had arrived at his doorstep and there was nothing he could do to stop it. Diplomacy had failed, common sense had lost out to sabre rattling, threats became insults, and finally, ambassadors were recalled – all leading to the decision of no return. With only thirty minutes left to seek shelter, James had rushed headlong into the underground tube station at Westminster and hopped onto ...

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“The Darkness” by Sol Caine

Submitted to Contest #232

“Darkness is upon us, Will. Throw me another log for the fire, would you?” Father Beacon requested. “There is no moon tonight, so we must remain vigilant at all times. On the morrow at daybreak, we shall continue our journey to the safety of Castle Divinity.” I questioned not, the decision to undertake a journey so late in the day. Father Beacon had successfully trapesed through the forest of Dean on several occasions. However, on each of those times, he had never had to camp in the woods after dark. So, it was surprising to me an...

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“By The Rising Morning Light” by Sol Caine

Submitted to Contest #224

“Today, we die! So, curtail any ambition of living – if you want to survive!”That inspirational declaration by the imposing battle-hardened centurion, caused several groans to escape amongst my line of cohorts.We had been roused just before the break of dawn to prepare to attack our enemy’s position. Word around camp was that the General had been visited by the gods, informing him the rising sun behind us would gain him a heavenly advantage – as the enemy shielded their eyes from its burning glare.“The general knows w...

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“Enlightenment” by Sol Caine

Submitted to Contest #223

I bellowed a very tired and exhausted yawn, as I stretched my arms skyward and pointed my toes in a direct line beneath the desk. Studying with minimal sleep for who knows when, had frazzled my mind beyond tolerable measures. Cranky toward needless interruptions and far too serious for my own good, I was balancing on the edge of burnout due to information overload. One of the failings in my life was to offer up my research services for free. Once people found out about my excellent skills on a multitude of topics, I began ...

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“Repossession” by Sol Caine

Do you ever get that feeling that there is someone there behind you, only to turn around and see nothing? Or you see a movement in the corner of your eye, but that’s just nothing too? I do. I sense it all the time – especially when I’m on my own at night. Like, I’m not completely alone. I feel that I’m being watched or listened to, or like someone is trying to get my attention. It always occurs in dim or no light. Never in daytime or when all the lights are on in my house at night. It’s no wonder that people fear the...

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“All Roads” by Sol Caine

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #220

The aromatic smell of roast pork awakened me from my mid-morning slumber. I had drifted off while sat against a wall during the morning break from reading, and was slow to open my eyes, clutching tightly to the last moments of sleep. “Are you hungry?” An unfamiliar voice asked – jolting me awake. For the next several moments, I rubbed my eyes and stared at the unfamiliar surroundings feeding my confusion. Nothing was familiar to me, plus I couldn’t recognise a single face lingering on the street corner or sat opposite me o...

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“We'll Always Have Uber” by Sol Caine

Submitted to Contest #217

I just blushed. Didn’t mean to. She just caught me off guard. It’s been a while since anyone complimented me. “Well, handsome?” She asks again. “Who was here first?” This is like a typical Hollywood-style encounter, where two people enter a taxi from opposite sides, only to find that one of them must get out. Instead, they decide to share the taxi leading to a whirlwind romance that sweeps them up into a happy-ever-after ending. I hesitate with my answer. I have a wife at home – I remind myself. I am about to sugges...

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“It Is Today” by Sol Caine

Submitted to Contest #216

I sit at my foggy window seat, looking out onto the rapid pace of the city, as people go about their daily business. You can always tell the ones who are running late. They’ll suddenly burst into a small trot for several meters, then resume their fast-walking pace, while trying to navigate between the slow walkers and the early morning tourists - stopping to look up at every shop sign, while snapping selfies, as the mad crowd rushes past them. It's early for some, late for others, and just, now - for people like ...

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“A Monster Of Apathy” by Sol Caine

Submitted to Contest #215

I am a monster of apathy. A creature of habit and a purveyor of fantasy. A born dreamer, I forged my own way of the maverick. Unconventional. Thinking outside of the box. Without siblings, without a father, and without proper guidance, I have waded through the shallow waters of life, creating my own path and re-writing life’s logic to fit my own. An outcast from the normal practices of family life, I have always struggled to understand what normal is. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I don’t care about t...

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“Fool's Company” by Sol Caine

Submitted to Contest #214

Here he goes again, complaining about the food. “Oh, it’s not as good as back home,” or “Why can’t they speak our language?” He’s the most annoying person to take anywhere on vacation. You know the type. Has to speak slowly in English, thinking the locals will understand him. Even ends some of his words with the letter O, like that suffices as speaking their language. “Excuse me, can you-O tell me-O where the nearest bank-O is… O?” He’s so behind the times.  Refuses to use electronic payments – instead, o...

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“TOUCH INSENSITIVE” by Sol Caine

Submitted to Contest #213

I’m losing my touch. No, it’s no joke. It started with my feet. I used to be so ticklish that I would laugh when tickling my own feet. But now, you could run a knitting needle through them and I wouldn’t flinch. It’s been a gradual process of numbness travelling through my body. The pins and needles are the first sign. Irritating and constant, I almost feel relieved when they stop - if it wasn’t for the cold hard reality that the irritation stopping was the prelude to a lack of any feeling in that area. When my pri...

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