A Collection of Short Stories Featuring: Figment of My Imagination

By Mary E. Coe

This collection is Mary E. Coe’s first release of original short stories. Even though the stories are fiction, they address situations that many families encounter: love, pain, death, struggle and, ultimately, forgiveness. These are tales of wonder, strength and survival, which speak to all walks of life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Jun 27, 2017
• ISBN: 9781483465272

Book preview

A Collection of Short Stories

FEATURING:

FIGMENT

of MY IMAGINATION

MARY E. COE

Copyright © 2017 Mary E. Coe.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-6528-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-6527-2 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 05/19/2017

CONTENTS

Figment Of My Imagination

Mom, Why Won’t You Believe Me

Ellen’s Story

Star’s Last Christmas

A Single Red Rose For You, Dad

About The Author

FIGMENT OF MY IMAGINATION

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Kaylah and Tori, two college students, were walking home from the neighborhood store. They lived in the neighborhood for over four years. The girls had been best friends since high school. After graduation, the girls rented an apartment together to cut down on living expenses.

One night, as they were walking a familiar route home, strange things began happening. Their neighborhood no longer look familiar. The surroundings were totally different. The closer the girls got to their apartment building, the more bizarre the neighborhood appeared.

When Kaylah and Tori arrived at the location where their apartment building stood, they are shocked by what they found. The apartment building was no longer there. The girls found themselves in a totally different and bizarre place. They didn’t see any familiar buildings or houses. The area was dark and unnerving. There were no signs of life. The girls reluctantly approached the mysterious building that replaced the one in which they once lived. Tori reached for the doorknob, and was abruptly interrupted by an unexpected voice that came from behind her.

Stop! Don’t go in there.

Both Tori and Kaylah were startled. They turned around and came face-to-face with a total stranger. The man’s eyes were as cold as ice and his voice was harsh. He was tall, muscular and well-built. His movements were slow and robotic.

You can’t go in there, the man said. Come, follow me. I will lead you to a safe place.

Where is everyone? Tori asked.

What happened? asked Kaylah. What happened to our apartment building and to the neighborhood? Where are all the people?

Follow me. The man replied. He slowly walked toward the rear entrance of the building.

The girls were terrified. Neither of them trusted this uncanny man. However, they didn’t have much of a choice, either they trust this man and take him for his word that he would lead them to a safe place, or they remain alone in this forsaken place. Either way, they were taking a chance that could put them in grave danger. The girls silently and reluctantly decided to follow the eerie man’s lead.

Kaylah and Tori could see the main street from the backyard as they followed the man to the rear of the building. Three police cars were speeding through the street with sirens wailing, as their bright, multicolored lights lit up the area. All three police cars stopped and parked at the side of the curb. The man quickly motioned to the girls to get down. Kaylah and Tori hid behind tall bushes. The weird stranger hid behind a huge tree. After what seemed like an eternity to the girls, the three police cars sped off and continued down the street.

The stranger waited until he felt it was safe. Then, he stood up and signaled the girls to follow him. Tori and Kaylah followed the man across the street to an unfamiliar, lighted area. The houses were huge and strikingly beautiful. The lawns were green and neatly cut.

Such beautiful homes! Tori exclaimed with wonder.

The girls followed the man up the walkway and to the front door of a house, which stood in the middle of four other houses. The man unlocked the door and told the girls to go inside. Tori and Kaylah entered the living room.

They were not surprised to see that the house was just as fabulous inside as it was outside. The house was immaculate and well-kept. Tori and Kaylah looked around in astonishment at the huge, beautiful room. The man did not go inside. Once the girls entered, he closed the door and walked down the street. The girls’ first impulse was to follow him, but they knew they were not welcome to do so.

Do you think he will come back? Kaylah asked.

I really don’t know, Tori responded. Wow! this place is so spacious and beautiful, I could easily live here. Then again, I feel more comfortable in our small apartment. I really miss home.

So do I, replied Kaylah.

The girls were hopeful that the man would return with further instructions about what they should do. They had no idea what their next move would be. Tori and Kaylah were extremely quiet as they slowly walked through the huge gorgeous rooms. When they returned to the living room area they noticed a young girl, who appeared to be approximately 10 years old, standing in front of the dining room window, staring outside.

Hello, said Kaylah tentatively as she greeted the youngster.

The girl didn’t respond and continued staring out the window.

Kaylah went to the window and stood behind her. What are you looking at?

Tori followed close behind.

What are you looking at? Kaylah repeated.

The girl continued to ignore Kaylah’s questions.

The only thing Tori and Kaylah saw out the window was other houses. They were curious about what the girl was staring at so intently.

I’m Tori, what’s your name?

The girl turned and looked Tori in the eyes, then walked past Tori and Kaylah and continued walking toward the front door. They followed. The girl opened the door, then turned and looked at Tori. She was a beautiful little girl -- beautiful in a haunting way. Her eyes were big and beautiful, but very cold. She showed no emotion on her face.

Do not follow me, the girl ordered. Stay here. Do not leave this house. She opened the door, stepped outside, and closed the door behind her before they could react.

Inside the spacious bedroom were two king size beds separated by a nightstand. The puzzled girls sat close together on one of the huge beds. They were motionless and quiet for several seconds. Kaylah and Tori stared into space wondering what would happen next.

What do we do now? Kaylah asked, breaking the silence.

I don’t know. I’m trying to make some sense of everything that’s happening.

We have to get out of here, urged Kaylah. We have to find our apartment. Maybe we were on the wrong street…

No. we were on the right street. Things just got crazy. Everything just magically changed right before our eyes. One minute we’re on the right street, then all of a sudden we’re in a completely different and strange place.

Kaylah became more anxious, Everything is wrong. We have to get out of here.

Where will we go? asked Tori. Where do we even start to look for our building? Besides, the man who brought us here said we would be safe.

I don’t trust him, warned Kaylah. He’s weird and so is that little girl. Did you notice how cold both their eyes are?

"Yeah, those two are scary, but I think we are safe here until the morning. Then, we can leave this place and find our way home,’’ Tori yawned.

I just don’t feel very safe here, Kaylah sighed, but it’s probably safer than out there.

So, it’s agreed? We stay here for the night? asked Tori.

Agreed, Kaylah answered. Let’s try to get some sleep.

The girls laid down side by side on the same bed. They were too scared to sleep in separate beds. They needed to stay close together.

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Hours later, Tori woke up. At first, she didn’t know where she was. Suddenly, she was overcome with fear. She remembered that she and her friend had gotten lost in this forsaken place. She laid there not moving for a few seconds. Then she sat up and turned toward her friend. Tori was dumbfounded! Her friend was not there. She looked over at the other bed. Kaylah was not there either. The bed had not been slept in. Tori jumped out of bed.

Kaylah, where are you?

Tori checked the bathroom, Kaylah wasn’t there. Tori rushed through the living room, the dining room and the kitchen. She looked all around the house. Kaylah was nowhere in the house. Tori looked out the front room window and the kitchen window. Kaylah was not outside.

Kaylah, where are you? This isn’t funny. You’re scaring me.

Tori noticed that the back door was ajar. She cautiously walked toward the door.

She peeked outside and whispered, Are you out there, Kaylah?

Tori saw a bright light coming from a small building that was a short distance across the lawn. She slowly walked across the lawn through a flower garden, tall grass and weeds, and past three tall trees to reach the light that was coming from what appeared to be a small shed. It was not an easy walk, more like a frightening and terrifying journey. The flowers, grass, weeds, and tree limbs attacked Tori, leaving bruises and scratches on her face, arms and legs as she walked toward the shed.

Tori finally reached the shed. She slowly pushed the door open and entered with caution.

Kaylah? she called in a low, shaky voice. Kaylah?

Her eyes were searching the room as she called out to her friend. Tori was happy and relieved, but was startled when she saw Kaylah lying on the floor in a fetal position.

Kaylah! Tori ran to her friend and dropped to her knees beside her. Why are you out here alone? Come, let’s get back to the house, I don’t feel safe here. Tori helped Kaylah to her feet.