Category: Short Stories
-
Career Day Chaos
by Gabrielle N. Rippel Am I in Hell? I think to myself, surely this must be Hell. I have very obviously died and gone straight to Hell. Loud, needy, and somehow always sticky, children circle me like sharks around their prey. The high pitch screech of a banshee resonates inside my ear, if I wasn’t…
-
Stealing The Truth
by Gabrielle N. Rippel “Only you could find a charming hole in the wall like this,” he gestures around the small dining room of L’Antica Salumeria as it fills up with adventurous tourists and off-duty priests. “Archie, it’s wonderful to see you.” I leap from my secluded table wrapping my arms around my trusted companion.…
-
Holiday House
By Gabrielle N. Rippel “Rebekah you owe me!” his screech echoed off the deserted cobblestone street as I struggled to gain my breath. “You cannot hide from me forever!” he threatened and even from this distance the menace in his voice sent a chill down my spine. Why did I steal his damn cat? I…
-
Tell No Lies
By Gabrielle N. Rippel “…As long as we adhere to the laws of three, peace will prosper throughout our world.” The Actor boasted his lines with veracity, passion spewing from his mouth. “Law 1: Thou shall tell no lies.” He shook his finger to emphasize his point. “For lies bring forth, manipulation. Manipulation brings forth…
-
The Last Glass
By Gabrielle N. Rippel for Vocal Media writing contest April 2021 A first date is a first step in a new direction, whether or not I’m ready for it is an entirely different matter. I realize this as the crosswalk signal prompts me to continue. I wonder if it’s too late to cancel, but I…
-
Wedding Planning 101
First and foremost—congratulations on getting engaged! This is the moment you’ve not so subtly been waiting for, all of those annoying clues finally paid off. Take in this moment, cherish it forever. Because once you shared the wonderful news with your parents, your cousins, your best friends, the grocery store bag boy, and that annoying…
-
Life In Trepidation
I glance around our temporary housing to take it all in. Brick walls, glass windows, and cold concrete floors surround me; the only warmth comes from my sister, Kay, who is curled up in the smallest ball imaginable trying to seek comfort. She’s scared, I’m scared too, but one of us needs to be brave—even…
-
Fresh-Pressed Linens
As I lie awake in unrelenting pain, I begin to let my mind process the events of the day that landed me in this unblemished environment. I glance around my temporary home and take it all in. I know it must be the middle of the night behind the drawn plastic curtains, so I angle…
Get A Grippel 