Not Short: Fun Size

By Robyn Lloyd

ENTER, where ghosts steal cars; thieves get sweet revenge; a 1930s-detective is torn between the law and love; and an elemental General gets caught in the line of duty, where integrity challenges morality, all for a warrior princess.

The first story, “Cursed Hearse,” finds two ghostly sisters who just want to be part of something. In their case, the bigwig ghost society. The price of admission: Steal the legendary Ghost Car out from under the Exorcist’s nose and joyride it all night to haunt the living. Abby thinks it’s worth possible exorcism, but Cos, no so much. And, definitely not when they’re face to face with him!

“Thieves Among Honor” shares the tale of Marie and Sammie, a woman and teenager bent on avenging Sammie’s late parents. They decide to swipe the possessions of the man who caused the untimely demise of the couple, but when push comes to shove, the pressure may just break even the deep bond of their family.

In the semi-noir “Oh, These Walls, Kid,” a 1930s-hotel room sets up Jimmy and Elaine, a classic detective-falls-for-femme-fatale duo. While Jimmy is torn between his comfort with Elaine and following the law, she just wants to escape. Written in the style of a Bob-and-Wheel poem-turned flash fiction, each stanza builds upon the last, to create tension and revelation.

General Kry For-Me Slaine stars in two stories: “Paths That Bind: A MINIon” and “The Minion.” He isn’t a typical General, although he looks human, there is something strange in his veins Under the large, dark, tough exterior lies a golden heart—one that pits morality against duty. He leads his boss’s army to reclaim his people’s land from other kingdoms in a world where archaic meets ultramodern. “The Minion” speaks of balance; loyalty to one’s duty and heart and the miniature side story, “Paths That Bind,” provides a glimpse into Kry’s past before he defies nations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robyn Lloyd
• Release date: Nov 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370805914

Robyn Lloyd

Robyn Lloyd is an emerging Fantasy/Paranormal novelist. She holds an English/Liberal Arts AA and a Creative Writing BFA. She has professionally published with online magazines such as Scarlet Leaf Review, with “The Messenger”; self-published three text-adventure games; dabbled in comics writing and lettering; film, TV, webisode, and commercial scripts; transmedia; business/website copy; and is writing multiple small- and large-scale novels. She has crossed the proverbial finish line of National Novel Writing Month eight times. She can be found on her website (https://robynlloyd.wixsite.com/portfolio); her story website, World of -MCo9- (https://robynlloyd.wixsite.com/worldofmco9); through her WoM blog (https://worldofmco9.blogspot.com); Goodreads and Smashwords author pages (Robyn Lloyd); Itch.io game creator page (https://cocoamoovamp.itch.io); LinkedIn (Robyn Lloyd Books); Twitter (@RobynLloydBooks); or Facebook (Robyn Lloyd - author). Don’t worry, she doesn’t bite, just haunts. On sale now! Find her first short story collection, NOT SHORT--FUN SIZE, through Smashwords.com (https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/760108) and barnesandnoble.com (https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/not-short-robyn-lloyd/1127503983?ean=2940154630037). You can also read "The Messenger" online for free through scarletleafreview.com , in the online May 2017 issue!

Book preview

Not Short—Fun Size

A Short Story Anthology

by Robyn Lloyd

Copyright © Robyn Lloyd, 2017

All Rights Reserved.

First Smashwords Edition.

Smashwords.com

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this e-book. This e-book may not be resold, reproduced, or redistributed. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite e-book retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The views expressed may or may not reflect the author’s own and are also used fictitiously.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Info

Table of Contents

Those Responsible (Thanks)

Cursed Hearse

Thieves Among Honor

Oh, These Walls, Kid

Paths That Bind: A MINIon

The Minion

About the Author

Those Responsible

(Thanks)

To my family, for your love and unending patience with me shoving every draft into your lap. To my friends, for your inspiration and patience with my odd hours and forgetfulness. To those at Full Sail University, for your endless wisdom and humor. And to you, the reader, for choosing to take these small, but significant journeys with me. From the depth of my heart: Thank you.

Welcome to my worlds.

Cursed Hearse

(Abby and Cos Meet Frank)

Abby yanked the stick shift back.

Sis, are we absolutely sure?

Abby smirked and revved the gas. The rusted, 1920s Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost with limousine coachwork lurched backwards, then swung around to face the junkyard's gate at her command. Oh, we're very sure. Hang on, little sis.

Cos’ eyes zipped around the front seat. To what? This thing is ancient.

Then grab your knees. Besides, crashing won’t hurt us. We’re already dead, remember? Abby shoved the shifter and gas pedal forward simultaneously.

Cos gasped, thrown against the cracked leather seat, eyes bulged. I don’t want to die again. This was a bad idea. Let's stop!

Her older sister laughed as the car