Author: Lauren Thomas

Once upon a time there was a princess. Oh, and did we mention she was a cat? Perhaps we should have started with that. Once upon a time there was a cat, and she happened to be a princess. That’s better. Her father, the King, was on his deathbed. His final wish was for her…

“Catch!” The voice came from nowhere. Her hands instinctively went up, putting her palms outwards the way she always did, more concerned with protection than success. She felt something cold and hard against her skin and curled her fingers inwards. She had actually caught it. She grinned. When it started to pulse in her hands,…

“You know what you’re like?” She looked around, desperate for inspiration.“You’re like that dog over there.” “Are you calling me a bitch?” She could feel her frustration growing at this friend who for years only called her when she needed a shoulder to cry on. “What? That dog isn’t even female. What is it doing?”…

“Welcome to hell.” “Wait, what? No. No! There must be some mistake.” A sigh so heavy he heard it land on the table. An eyeroll so impressive he saw the greens of their eyes which he didn’t know existed. “Did you believe in heaven and hell?” “Well no, but…” “Then why do you believe a…

Out of the woods and onto the pathAvoid the witch with the wicked laugh She remembered the rhyme from her childhood whenever she found herself alone in the woods. Despite never feeling even a tap on her shoulder among the trees she still held her breath, still felt her pulse quicken along with her steps.…

“You must learn not to be defined by the past.” The young woman sighed. “They didn’t say you talked in riddles. What does that even mean?” The woman wasn’t offended. She was used to people seeking her out for advice but not always liking it. She never welcomed the rumours about her, but she didn’t…

If he could feel he would feel sorry for them all. Gawping at him, inane grins on their faces, taking their silly photos and posting them to an audience of strangers. And they thought that it was creations like him that didn’t care, that couldn’t feel. That much was true. But at least he knew…

Look. No, really look. Not straight ahead. To the side. Out of the corner of your eye. Quickly. Before it even knows you’re looking. There! You saw it didn’t you? It’s always there you know. Watching you. Biding its time. Hiding in the shadows. In the places people tend not to look at. Not properly…

“Roll up, roll up! Fancy winning a toy for the little lady?” Parents were his favourites. They could never say no to the watery eyes of their greedy offspring. He picked up the hoops, knowing that they were too small. With a sleight of hand he pretended to remove one from the bunch, instead placing…

“How do you want your eggs?” He froze. It had taken him so long to choose something from the impossibly large menu in the impossibly small diner. Its size was the reason he had chosen it. Just three small booths and a sign proudly declaring it as the smallest diner in the state. Very little…