Deep breath. I’m taking a break from decorating to absent-mindedly adjust my fluffy robe and look out a window to see snow falling on more snow, and lights twinkling on neighbouring houses in the dead of night. No one’s outside from what I can see. At least it’s peaceful. There’s a muffled atmosphere when snow is on the ground that I absolutely love about this time of year. It would be better with company, but I’m home al...

He woke up suddenly, feeling very uneasy. Something was wrong. He lay there, very still, listening. It was quiet—almost too quiet. Still, something had awoken him. Was there someone in the house? He strained his ears but heard nothing. Satisfied there was no cause for concern, he soon fell back to sleep. Again, he was awoken by noise from downstairs. This time, he was sure of it. It sounded like something was being dragge...

How long was this speech going to last. This guy had been droning on forever, and he sure didn't seem to be getting close to winding it up anytime soon. She was playing with her cocktail straw, thinking about the evening's unexpected turn. Her earlier encounter had been a truly welcome distraction. The handsome stranger had taken her by surprise in the coat room. She admitted to herself that even though brief, it was the...

I sipped my whiskey, feeling the amber liquid burn its way down my throat as I scanned the Amsterdam club. The sign above the entrance read "Nyx" in bold letters, and the crowd inside lived up to its promise of a sultry, seductive 'gay night.' I ended up here out of the blue. Curiosity got the best of me as I explored the city's canals on my day off. Nyx was a mix of old and new, I guess, rustic but modern strobing lights...

The sun was shining when I boarded the train that cold afternoon in late November. As usual, there were few people onboard at this time of day. I frequently choose to travel at odd hours to avoid peak travel periods. I settled into a window seat and placed my bag on the overhead shelf as the train began to move. The gorgeous panorama outside the window was framed by shadows as the sun started to set. I normally just sit b...

I was sitting in a cozy chair by the fireplace in the hotel lobby, trying to finish my novel. I was giving an early morning presentation at the conference tomorrow, and always have trouble sleeping the night before a presentation. It was late, around midnight, and I figured a change of scenery might help. My job had become my life during the past few years. In my twenties, I had a pretty active social life. I went out wit...

I am eighteen years old and ride the bus home every evening from dance practice. I am really too young for this long bus ride so late at night with all these strangers. I know my parents would think so, so I lie to them and let them think I get a ride home from a friend every night. Most of the faces on the bus have remained unfamiliar, but I first noticed you about a week ago. You are always on the same bus with me and l...

It was Friday, and work had been a never-ending storm of small fires and nothing but barked orders from upper management. Some friends had somehow convinced me that going out would be a fun way to make up for the bad day, and honestly, I didn’t want to go at all. However, the idea of getting a few drinks and maybe not spending another night alone at home did sound enticing. Cut to me sitting at the bar by myself at the en...