As Luke proffered the last mini vanilla slice sitting temptingly atop the cake stand, he wondered at his luck in having met Emily. He had been on so many first dates in the last few months that he had almost given up on the idea of certainty in love, a notion his friends mocked him… More “The First Date” – a flash fiction piece by Liz Arnold

“Are you sure there’s nothing more you can do?” Annabelle Blake wasn’t sure why she had bothered with her question when she already knew the answer. She supposed it had something to do with the ‘mental preparation process’ her therapist had talked about. “Make sure you feel as though you did everything you could,” she… More “Truth, Lies and Justice” – a flash fiction piece by Liz Arnold

It’s easy to forget how simple life used to be. And it’s often too hard to find your way back to a time when the biggest challenge you faced was which toy to take with you on your summer vacation. Alex put the gun down, his hand shaking as it struck the edge of the… More “Misunderstood” – a flash fiction piece by Liz Arnold

When it feels like you’re walking in leaden boots through wartime sludge, Eyes down, unable to look forward for fear of stumbling, Look up, look up, and steady yourself with the comforting arm of a stranger, And see in their eyes the shining beacon of compassion.   For through the darkness that surrounds us The… More “On Days Like These” – a short poem of reflection

PROLOGUE Isiah Martin had had a pretty rough start in life, and, although he had tried to stay on the path of righteousness, at seventeen years old he was now headed too far in the opposite direction to retrace his steps. His parents had never lived together. The truth was they had never really liked… More “The Impossible Choice”: a short story in three parts by Liz Arnold (full version)

On the same street twenty-four hours earlier, Moses Martin – Gabriella Martin’s middle son and Isiah’s fifteen-year old brother – had arrived at the home of Tobias Bandol, leader of the Red Devils. In the chaos that had taken over the neighbourhood, schools were unable to keep track of students, and parents were unable to… More “The Impossible Choice”: a short story in three parts by Liz Arnold – PART THREE: “The Impossible Choice” –

The aftermath of that awful evening of violence and destruction was in evidence all across the neighbourhood. Houses covered in paint or graffiti, some with broken windows, or worse. Cars burnt out. And several bodies found and removed, ready to be identified by loved ones. But it didn’t stop there. It was relentless, and as… More “The Impossible Choice”: a short story in three parts by Liz Arnold – PART TWO: “Revelation” –

“You’re kidding, right, little boy?” the slightly older boy asked Isiah angrily, as the latter handed him a small bundle of notes. “This is all you got for it?” Isiah was new to the game and, in spite of the bravado he regularly displayed to his young brothers within the relative safety of his own… More “The Impossible Choice”: a short story in three parts by Liz Arnold – PART ONE: “The Point of No Return” –

Isiah Martin had had a pretty rough start in life, and, although he had tried to stay on the path of righteousness, at seventeen years old he was now headed too far in the opposite direction to retrace his steps. His parents had never lived together. The truth was they had never really liked each… More “The Impossible Choice”: a short story in three parts by Liz Arnold – PROLOGUE –

The alarm clock goes off, as scheduled, at half past five. It was only through habit that Walter Mattheson had set it at all the night before – for, even though the sun was still asleep at this hour, he was wide awake, as he had been since yesterday morning. He manages to shower and… More “The Day After the Day Before”: a short story in three parts by Liz Arnold – PART THREE: “Tomorrow” –