A. L. Kaplan

Tag: short story

  • THE MOUNTAIN

    Find out what ruined this couple’s holiday.

     

    Could it get any better than this?” said Jake. He sipped his drink, then gazed across the lake at the white capped mountain. “Clear blue skies, clean crisp air. It’s as spectacular as everyone said.”

    “Hon, I hate to break it to you, but we need to pack up and leave right now.”

    “What?” he said, nearly choking on his cocktail. “What for? This place is perfect.”

    “Apparently not. I just got a message that it’s no longer safe. They’re closing the park, effective immediately.”

    “No!” Jake shook his head. “Just because some bureaucrats can’t do their job doesn’t mean they have the right to spoil our vacation. It’s the first we’ve had in ages.”

    “It’s more than politics and you know it. The infestation is creating havoc. They have no choice.”

    He pointed at the view. “Look at that flawless peak, delicately dusted with powdered sugar. They’re going to ruin it.”

    “No, they won’t. I promise we’ll come back as soon as things settle down.”

    “Right, sure we will,” said Jake. “Remember Pompeii? Completely buried. Atlantis? Sunk along with all the unicorns.  Mars? Uninhabitable. Before that it was Quirinus. That planet’s nothing more than an asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.”

    “Okay, maybe you have a point. We still have to leave.”

    “I suppose,” he said, gathering his belongings. “but this place better still be here after the fumigation. Damn humans. Every time we think those parasites are gone they spring up out of the ooze like a virus.”

     

    Don’t forget to pick up your copy of Wolf Dawn and Star Touched.

    Wolf Dawn 13

     

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers. But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

     

     

     

     

     

    Startouched AL Kaplan

     

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers. Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble. Will Tatiana flee or stay and fight for the new life she has built? Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends and herself.

  • THE HIDEAWAY

    What would you do if you found this stash?

     

    Wind tugged at Lalita’s clothes as she scrambled into the cave. The first large drops splashed on the hot rock, evaporating almost immediately. Lightning laced across the sky and thunder reverberated in the small space. The drops became a torrent.

    Niches, filled with ancient pottery and other personal items, dotted the walls of the cavern. She felt like an intruder and couldn’t shake the sensation of hot breath puffing against her neck. An un-looted, dustless cave didn’t seem right.

    “That was close,” said Jake. “I wonder how long this storm will last.”

    “Not long I hope,” said Lalita. “The cave opening looked like a mouth.”

    Jake laughed, then began shoving arrowheads, bone tools, beads, and jewelry into his backpack. “We can make a fortune on eBay with this stuff! I can’t believe it’s just sitting here after all this time.”

    Lalita shuddered and moved to the entrance. “Put those back.”

    “Finders keeper. The owners are long dead.”

    “I don’t care. It’s wrong. The rain stopped. Let’s go.” Lalita stepped outside. The sun was already out.

    “Jackpot!” said Jake. “A gold bracelet. Just need to get it off this old bone.”

    Thunder boomed. The ground rumbled and shook and a gust of air knocked Lalita down.  She turned, heart pounding. All that was left of the cave was a pile of rocks. With a groan, the mouth of the cave reopened. Lalita’s hands shook as she looked inside. No Jake, and the cavern was exactly as they had found it.

     

    Don’t forget to pick up your copy of Wolf Dawn and Star Touched.

    Wolf Dawn 13

     

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers. But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

     

     

     

     

     

    Startouched AL Kaplan

     

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers. Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble. Will Tatiana flee or stay and fight for the new life she has built? Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends and herself.

  • ALONE

    Does the punishment fit the crime? Tell me what you think.

    Lightening flashed across the sky, strangely overlaid across the blue, cloudless view. Half-formed figures and houses appeared along the riverbank. Children laughed as they splashed in the water. There was a village here once, full of life.

    “Please. Not again.” The words barely made it past his tightening throat.

    Thunder rumbled in the distance. He fell to his knees, trembling. The heavy sack he wore dug into his shoulder. But that wasn’t what caused the churning inside him. It was happening again, just as it had every day since the storm. Unable to stop it, he watched as thick, roiling clouds and an orange wave poured across the valley, obliterating the town.

    Children screamed over the roar of the fire. Their anguished cries penetrated past the hands clamped over his ears. Even with his eyes squeezed shut, the image burned into his vision. Nor could he block the smell of burned flesh.

    Tears streamed down his face, untouched by the surrounding inferno. Firestorm was his creation. His fault. And it was his order that deployed it. He was the one who turned the world into a blackened, ash filled landscape.

    “I’m sorry. So sorry.”

    No one offered forgiveness. There was no one left to hear the words. Still sobbing, he pulled a seed out of the sack and pressed it into the barren soil. One seed for every life lost. Doomed to relive the destruction he caused until life returned. A millennia of toil. That was his punishment.

     

    Don’t forget to pick up your copy of Wolf Dawn and Star Touched.

    Wolf Dawn 13

     

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers. But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

     

     

     

     

     

    Startouched AL Kaplan

     

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers. Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble. Will Tatiana flee or stay and fight for the new life she has built? Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends and herself.

  • NIGHT CRAWL

    See what happens when you fail to read the fine print.

     

    “Can I help you?” said Pete.

    Most of the out of towners that showed up for the annual contest had more money than folks around here saw in a year. This guy’s designer fishing gear looked new, but the distain in his eyes as he looked around the shop wasn’t.

    “Sign said you had night crawlers for sale. I plan on winning the fishing contest.”

    Pete pointed to the jar of wriggling worms on the counter. “They’re ten dollars a dozen, but if you want to catch the biggest, you’ll need the special one. Guaranteed or triple your money back. Just be warned, there’s a price to pay.”

    “I bet there is,” said the man glancing at his fitbit. “How much?”

    “I can let you have it for a hundred dollars.”

    “For one night crawler? I bet you won’t remember a thing when I come back for my money.”

    “Written contract guarantees the biggest catch,” said Pete. He put a contract and a clear plastic cup on the counter. The long silver-brown worm inside it squirmed.

    “Easy money. I’ll take it.”

    “Make sure you toss a quarter in the lake as soon as you catch the winning fish,” said Pete.

    “Sure. I’ll be back later for my three hundred dollars.”

    —

    As the sun set, Pete looked in the glass jar under the counter. He shook his head as a night crawler popped into it. “You didn’t throw the quarter in. I told you there was a price to pay.”

     

    Don’t forget to pick up your copy of Wolf Dawn and Star Touched.

    Wolf Dawn 13

     

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers. But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

     

     

     

     

    Startouched AL Kaplan

     

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers. Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble. Will Tatiana flee or stay and fight for the new life she has built? Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends and herself.

  • CATTLE RANCH

    Think you’re having some problems? Take a look at what’s happening on Farmer Pappi’s ranch.

     

    “Not again!” said Farmer Pappi.

    He threw his hat on the ground and spouted a few choice words. Another twelve cows, gone. That made three dozen this week. No damage to the fence. No foot prints. No car tracks. Just gone. The cattle rustlers must have airlifted the animals out of the field.

    What was left of his herd grazed nearby. If only they could talk. One of the cows pulled leaves off a bush with purple flowers, jostling a swarm of insects. Pappi muttered a few more curses as they fluttered around his head, then shooed the cow away from the plant.

    Pappi retrieved his hat as the animal ambled off. A startled moo made him jump. Pappi spun around expecting to see a bandit. The cow stood a few yards away, shaking its head. After another bellow it’s back shimmered and a pair of butterfly shaped wings sprouted. It turned and nosed the strange new appendages then began to move them. After a few tentative flaps, the cow lifted into the air and fluttered away.

    Too stunned to react, Pappi stared as it vanished over the hills. Cow’s aren’t supposed to fly. Heavy footsteps and another moo snapped him out of his stupor.

    “Oh no you don’t,” he said, shooing three more cows away from the plant.

    Pulling out his smart phone he snapped a picture and used the plant identification app. It didn’t take long to figure out the problem. Butterfly bushes were not good cow food.

  • SPECIAL GUEST

    special guest edit

    “Santa?”

    Mable stared at the man in the red coat passed out on her lawn and the overturned sled, ignoring the reindeer munching on her shrubs. Empty beer cans, cookie crumbs, and scraps from her Christmas ham littered the ground. The man’s eyes cracked opened, then slammed shut.

    “Hey. Wake up.”

    “Turn off that damned light,” he groaned. “Let me die in peace.”

    “I can’t turn off the sun,” said Mable. “Get up before a kid sees you.”

    “Quit nagging. You sound like Mrs. Clause.”

    “Well, she’s probably worried sick about you.

    Santa belched. “I doubt that very much. She threw me out after the company party last week. All because of one little kiss. Okay, maybe a bit more than a kiss, but it’s not my fault. Someone spiked my milk and covered the ceiling with mistletoe. I couldn’t stop kissing everyone.”

    Mable didn’t believe what she was hearing. This was not how she pictured jolly old Saint Nick. “So explain that to Mrs. Clause.”

    “I tried, but she just can’t get past the surveillance video. Neither can the elves. The restraining order says I can’t go within 500 miles of the North Pole.” Tears ran down his face. “I’m never drinking milk again. You have to help. I’ve been set up.”

    “Me? What can I do?”

    “You’re the one who wants to be a detective. Here’s your chance, detect. Clear my name.”

    Instead of being happy, Mable winced. Her first case was going to be a doozy.

     

    Happy Holidays Y’all

    Don’t forget to pick up a copy of Star Touched and Wolf Dawn for your special someone.

    Star Touched

    Startouched front cover2Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population. Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble. Will Tatiana flee or stay and fight for the new life she has built? Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

     

    Wolf Dawn

    Wolf Dawn 13

     

    A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

    But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

  • WOLF DAWN Is Coming!

    Great News!

    My short story, WOLF DAWN will soon be available on Amazon. Here’s a sneak peak of the cover.

    Wolf Dawn 13

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers. But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

  • Indies Unlimited 2016 Editors’ Choice Flash Fiction Anthology.

    I am pleased to announce that one of my stories has been included in the Indies Unlimited 2016 Editors’ Choice Flash Fiction Anthology.

    You can get for free today on Amazon.

    Indies Unlimited Editor's Choice 2016

    We will also be offering the book for free on the following dates: November 26 and 27, and December 25 and 26.

    The normal price for the anthology, once it goes off of free, will be $.99.

     

    And don’t forget, Star Touched comes out tomorrow!

  • Coming Soon: In a Cat’s Eye

    catseye_final-72dpi

     

    Keep a look out for In a Cat’s Eye from Pole to Pole Publishing this fall. It has a fantastic line up of authors, and of my short stories will be purring along with theirs. Don’t let the cover fool you. It’s not full of cute little kitties. 

    Mine is titled “Mark of the Goddess”

  • ALIEN DECEIT

    047

    “Ensign Jeffries, there’s been a malfunction,” said Samuels.

    Teleportation was risky. People used to end up in walls, underground, midair, even floating in space, but there hadn’t been any off world malfunctions like this in years. She glanced at the strange dome with the bulging transparent material, then checked the air quality analyzer. This wasn’t Republic headquarters but at least the air was breathable.

    Trees and shrubs surrounded the huge structure. Hundreds of triangles formed the dome. It was unlike anything she’d ever seen in Republic space. Only a supremely advanced and powerful species would dare to construct such a fragile looking building. They must have severe punishments to keep their world under control. Trespassing was a jailable offence where she came from.

    “Begin emergency retrieve protocol.”

    Static greeted her, not unlike Jeffries’ expressionless look when he initiated the transport. Her throat began to constrict. Neither she nor Jeffries made mistakes. They were both top technicians up for the same promotion.

    A huge, furry creature barreled toward her. Its lips pulled back showing savage teeth and a long tongue. Her universal translator couldn’t interpret what it bellowed. Panic gripped her.

    “Jeffries, you can have the promotion! I don’t want it. Just get me out of here!”

    The massive beast knocked her to the ground. Samuels screamed. Saliva splattered her face.

    “Bad dog,” said a man. “I’m so sorry. He’s usually very gentle. Are you okay?”

    Samuels stopped shaking as he helped her stand. The man didn’t seem dangerous and was rather attractive. The dog flopped on its side, tail wagging, too cute to ignore. Maybe this place wasn’t so bad.