Transient Tales Volume 2

The second in the Transient Tales series collects 12 short stories of science fiction, fantasy and horror, totalling 20,000 words and ranging from light to dark and all shades in-between.

Volume 2 features a Halloween game with a chilling price, a call-centre at the end of the world, an unconventional quest for a portal to fairyland, a mother dealing with the loss—and the return—of a child, a desperate woman's letter to her future self, a repentant scientist's lament, an envious boy who gets more than he bargained for, and a misguided attempt to gain closure on a very dead love affair.

'One Free Go' - Darren and Kate threw a huge kids' party on Halloween, but now they're not quite sure why.

'Not With a Bang' - Answer the calls, read the script, enter the data. And when certain words or phrases come up, type out the alarm codes.

'No Regard for Narrative Convention' - Some people thought it was a great opportunity, when the dimensional portals opened up. Others, like Michael, weren't quite so sure.

'Sale or Return' - In the future, money can buy you anything. Or can it?

'Nor Any Drop to Drink' - Lynsey might look like a little girl, but she's got a big thirst.

'You Wish' - You've always got to be very careful about what you—or other people—wish for.

'Dear Ingrid' - Is it still a bad deal if the one who makes it isn't the one who pays for it?

'Babysitting' - Looking after Jilly—who really, really, really wants a puppy—is an exercise in tolerance. Who's going to crack first?

'On Blackened Wings' - Dionne doesn't believe that Rachel's built a psychic hotline to the monsters out of wires and roadkill. But that doesn't mean she wants to try it.

'No Apples for Mother' - Artificial Intelligence and Old Testament religion. Not a good mix.

'Gifted' - What makes the new girl so special? What's she got that Francie and Everett haven't? They're about to find out.

'Closure' - Carmel's relationship didn't end well. She'd like another go.