The Curious Anthology Volume 1

By Justine M Dunn

A collection of ten flash fiction stories to raise your curiosity; just how old is Eliza Stoker? What does happen after we die? And where did Charlie Shields go?

Short, sweet, quirky and interesting. Short enough for that lunchtime hit of fiction, long enough for the commute.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Justine M Dunn
• Release date: Aug 29, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476010014

Justine M Dunn

I spend much of my time writing and generally avoiding the real world.

Book preview

THE CURIOUS ANTHOLOGY

Volume 1

By

Justine M Dunn

SMASHWORDS EDITION

* * * * *

PUBLISHED BY:

Justine M Dunn

The Curious Anthology Volume 1

Copyright 2012 by Justine M Dunn

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CONTENTS

Time Frame

After Life

Charlie Shields

Decision Time

How Life Has Changed

Déjà Vu

The Bus Ride

The Conference

My Path

Eliza Stoker

Beach Lanes

Sample chapter of my debut novel

ABOUT JUSTINE M DUNN

TIME FRAME

My wife and I sat by the river drinking beer, as we often did on a Saturday afternoon. The streets were busy, the sunshine a welcome visitor after a week of sporadic weather. We watched the pedestrians flow past in their hundreds; some dressed for dinner others looked ready for the beach.

We chewed our courtesy peanuts as we chatted and I waved the waitress for another round of beers. Just as my hand returned to its resting position on my thigh, my wife gasped and stared at me wide eyed.

What happened to you just then? She asked, snatching her sunglasses away from her face.

What do you mean?

You vanished. I blinked, and for a just a split second you weren’t there.

Um, I haven’t gone anywhere. I replied, confused at her sudden outburst, and slightly embarrassed by the flutter of attention by the couple on the next table.

She sat bolt upright in the chair, her hands clutching the armrests whilst the thumb of her right hand pinched hold of the arm of her shades.

You vanished.

Shh, calm down. I touched her lightly on her knee; she watched my hand as it returned to my lap once again. You must have just done a funny blink and it looked like I wasn’t here.

A funny blink?

I don’t know, maybe you’re eye rolled around a bit and didn’t quite focus properly when you opened it. I was clutching at straws but had little else to offer. I hadn’t gone anywhere, but the look on her face told me she thought differently.

I swear to God, for a moment, just like a flash - you weren’t there. I saw right through the space you’re sitting in. Look behind you, there’s a yellow butterfly on that plant - about level with your chair.

She stood up and looked over my shoulder, I turned in my seat; sure enough there was a butterfly on the potted shrub behind me, a yellow one.

See, it’s still there. She put her sunglasses on the table and looked at her hand. Look, I’m shaking.

I took hold of her hand and squeezed it.

How do you explain that?

I don’t know... maybe you just saw it fly behind me in your peripheral vision. I shrugged.

You think I imagined it don’t you? She was getting upset now.

No, but I don’t really have an explanation. As far as I’m aware I have just been sitting here the whole time, I don’t really know what else to say.

"Well that