Dark Flutters: Stories For A Moonless Night

By Melissa L. Webb

What flutters under the cover of darkness? What lurks in the darkest corners of the imagination? Venture deep into these 26 short stories and you will find out. From a puddle that holds a deadly secret, to a country that will not die, you will soon see what the night holds. So sit back, relax and begin your journey. Just be sure you leave the lights on.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melissa L. Webb
• Release date: Jan 11, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458080868

Melissa L. Webb

Melissa L. Webb is a writer, dreamer, thinker, and seeker. She currently lives in Northern California with her dog, Buffy.

Book preview

Dark Flutters

Stories For A Moonless Night

Melissa L. Webb

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011 Melissa L. Webb

Discover other titles by Melissa L. Webb:

Weaver Of Darkness

Strange Musings

Checking It Twice

The Tingles

Valentine's Candy

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For my mother, who taught me an imagination should be nurtured. Thank you.

Waiting

The crow sat in the tree, the branch swaying under him in the wind. Tilting his head from side to side, he studied the building in front of him.

The school lay quiet around him. Its occupants hidden inside, going about their daily routine as they eagerly awaited the next bell to ring.

Fluffing his wings against the bitter chill, trying to warm the blood in his veins, the bird’s gaze never left the classroom door.

The bell rang, echoing down the corridors, breaking the silence that wove around the school. The crow sat up straight, eyes shining like glass in the sunlight as he watched the students pour out the door.

A girl with a long black braid appeared in the doorway. Pulling her jacket tighter against her body, she stepped into the chilly corridor. The crow leaned forward on his branch, letting his gaze drift over her as she stood back and awaited the flood of students to lessen.

The child moved gracefully through the remaining students, gliding past them quietly; a shadow slipping through the night. She stepped off the cement and onto the grass, heading past the tree on her way to freedom.

The crow called down to her, his caw harsh in the crisp afternoon air.

The girl glanced up; bright green eyes locking onto dark obsidian pools.

Tilting his head, the crow waited, wondering what the girl would do.

The child’s eyes lingered a moment longer, then with a shrug she turned, heading away from the school.

Watching her go before taking flight from his perch, the crow soared over the roof of the school, landing in the back parking lot. Glancing quickly around, he took a few hops towards a car.

The air shimmered and got thicker, extending up from the ground. Suddenly, a man stood where the crow had been. Stepping forward, he opened the car door. Sliding into the driver’s seat, he studied the sky above him. His dark eyes watched as the light faded from it.

The time was almost here.

They needed the girl. There was no denying that. Sighing, he slammed the car door. Next time he would have to do more than just observe the child.

Someone's At The Door

The knocking started softly. Just a soft rap against the door and nothing more.

Jodie looked up from the table, where her textbooks lay scattered before her. She glanced at the clock as she rose from her chair. It was ten at night. Who would be knocking at this hour?

Her parents wouldn’t be home until after midnight and she told her friends she would be studying, much to their disappointment. She glanced at the door as she stepped towards it. What could someone want this late at night?

She frowned as she moved closer to the door. It couldn’t be anything good, that was for sure. Worry knotted in her stomach as her hand reached out to turn on the porch light.

Three heavy raps echoed through the living room as the unknown visitor knocked again. These were confidant and loud, as if the visitor could sense her on the other side of the door.

She quickly flicked on the porch light and leaned towards the peephole. Her heart stuttered as she gazed outside. The front porch was completely empty.

Jodie blinked in shock. Somebody was messing with her. She let out a slow breath as she realized it must be one of her friends. They knew she was home alone and thought they’d have a little fun with her. She shook her head as she watched out the peephole. She wasn’t going to fall for their games.

The door shook under her palms as someone knocked again, their impatience sounding in each loud blow. She froze as her eyes took in the scene outside. The porch was still empty. She backed away from the door, fear trickling down her spine. Who was knocking on the door if no one was out there?

Once again, three more knocks sounded. The door shivered under the impact of them. She turned and fled the living room. She didn’t want to spend