Category Archives: Short Stories

There was a time when I went through a rough stretch at work. As a social worker it was clear to me that carrying this kind of burden would last just so long and I’d start to pay a heavy price. I decided I needed a program of “self-medication” to treat my stress, not with drugs or substances, but with what I thought would lead me into an inner realm where a healing process could be touched. Writing and photography were those two areas.

Writing was something that came easily to me. It was a big part of my role as a social worker in my reports and client summaries. As an introvert I was comfortable setting words to paper, more so than reporting verbally where the risk was ever present of being caught in that socially awkward situation of going blank out of fear.

My writing became half of my self-medicating regimen. It involved writing short stories , usually only 3-4 typed pages in length, depicting the battle of the forces of light vs. those of darkness. The protagonist was usually young, 8-12 years of age, often a young girl, accompanied by a guide from the spirit world. The villains were modeled after three executives I was acquainted with who fit the bill of villainy. Together the protagonist and her spirit guide fought and vanquished the forces of darkness. This part of my “self-medicating treatment” resulted in 45 short stories.

Fairest Of Them All

Posted on April 24, 2018 by journeysofabentmind

As the winter sun set in a crimson blaze to the west, a near full moon crept over the snowcapped mountains to the east, casting its variegated hues of silver and blue over the landscape. Dhumbo Thumass, The Royal Gatesperson, … Continue reading →

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Sugar and Spice, Everything Nice

Posted on November 5, 2017 by journeysofabentmind

Mandy hurried along passageway T-7 in the third tier of space station Orion. Dante trotted alongside her with ease, his collar clinking in the early morning silence. It was always quiet throughout the space station at 5:00 in the mornig, … Continue reading →

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Flight to the North Rim

Posted on November 4, 2017 by journeysofabentmind

The cottonwood trees alongside the swank hotel swayed in the light breeze, their leaves catching the sunlight on their shiny surfaces giving the appearance of a shimmering silver-green apparition. The Chollo River, not far distant, moved lazily through the canyons … Continue reading →

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Dual Diagnosis

Posted on June 28, 2017 by journeysofabentmind

Thor was the older of the twins, and because of a genetic anomaly had grown clearly six inches taller than his brother, Jihar. They were the “only child” of the wicked witch of the east, and both had been spoiled … Continue reading →

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Black Heart, the Pirate

Posted on June 4, 2017 by journeysofabentmind

The sun rose on a glassy sea, and Black Heart and his crew faced their forty-third day becalmed and without the sight of land and little hope of wind. The canvas above hung limp, dry as the weary eyes of … Continue reading →

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Darkness Becomes the Dawn

Posted on April 26, 2017 by journeysofabentmind

Grey thunderclouds gathered over the Tehrasov Mountains to the west, as darkness deepened over the valley and the twilight’s last gleaming faded from the sky above. A moonless night with only the light from the starry host, and it was … Continue reading →

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A Midsummer Knight’s Dream

Posted on December 31, 2016 by journeysofabentmind

Hillary stepped cautiously over the damp ground cover, and slipped behind a redwood tree. Sam followed close by her heels, panting lightly. The sun peaked through branches of tall trees overhead, but the dense cover above shielded the forest floor … Continue reading →

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The Edge of Darkness: Part II

Posted on November 18, 2016 by journeysofabentmind

The evening sky was clear, and the stars began to appear as diamonds in the tiara of the heavens. ShadowFax moved slowly across the hanging bridge over the Rhue Gorge, and as he approached the landing at the southern end, … Continue reading →

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The Edge of Darkness

Posted on November 14, 2016 by journeysofabentmind

A strong wind blew down out of the mountain pass from the north, bringing a brisk chill to the morning. A lone figure stood beside a magnificent stallion on the crest of a hill overlooking the lush green valley. He … Continue reading →

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The Curse of Yho-Hi-Teq: Part V – Epilog

Posted on November 5, 2016 by journeysofabentmind

Lightning slashed across the darkened skies, and peals of thunder rolled across the Ottokurss excavation site, echoing off the mountains on the far side of the valley. Huge raindrops pelted the ground, sinking immediately into the thirsty desert sands. Tamil, … Continue reading →

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