zengrabs.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

"Step right up, folks! Don't miss the chance of a lifetime!" The crowd gathered around, curious to see what The Wizard of Whispering Gulch had up his sleeve this time. "Right here, right now, you can get a random bead of magic for the low, low price of two bits." The Wizard held up a gunny sack.

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

My overcritical ass doesn't like anything I do and overcomplicates everything. I'm an editor. A good one if I say so myself (which is odd for me). My work speaks for itself and my sample edits are free. But... If my website sucks, then my services suck. That's the way business works. Sigh.

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

I learned long, long ago that most people aren't going to necessarily like me...so...why try to be what they aren't going to like anyway? I am who I am no matter where I go (even online). In short, yeah, what you see on social media is what you find in me all the time.

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

Alec plopped on the hay bale and wiped his sleeve across his damp eyes. "You are not worthless. You're not like me." Midnight nibbled on Alec's hair and snorted. "Being a #thoroughbred is nothing!" Alec began rubbing Midnight's cheek. "We'll show them." He grabbed his crutch and stood. #vss365

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

Fiddler's Grove was in a right fit that morning. Preacher Bill had arrived as usual, set his Bible on the pulpit, and went to quench his thirst. "The well of wisdom has run dry!" He notified the elders. Meanwhile, Henry was laughing his ass off. "That been where I puttin' my moonshine for ages."

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

The house rumbled as a dozen feet raced toward John's attic room. High-pitched giggles and loudly whispered dares floated from behind Emilie's door. Edith glared at me. "In my house--" "Everything is quiet and proper." I sipped my tea. "I'd rather be a #safe_haven than a museum." #vss365

submitted 18 days ago • 0 comments

Biking through farm country is the best morning exercise. The smell of fresh hay and manure always makes my heart sing. Coffee clashes with stale booze, honking fills my ears, the world is off. I turn my bike toward the barn and slam into the ground. "Oh, yeah, I moved to the city." Sigh. #hbp110

submitted 18 days ago • 0 comments

Working for two years at a hybrid publisher burned me out in a way. I long to work with writers who care about and want to improve their craft. If I could silence the "this website looks like crap!" voice in my head, I could reopen my private editing biz. But it's a loud voice :(

submitted 20 days ago • 0 comments

This week's reading plan...

submitted 20 days ago • 0 comments

Screams raced by in the dark, marking my non-aloneness. Even in this moment, I couldn't be left alone. The powers that be wouldn't allow it. But I refused to accept it. Falling in darkness to a certain doom is calming, peaceful. Why fight the inevitable? Though, I do wonder why the air is still.

submitted 21 days ago • 1 comment

Pick the dice and let life #roll #7syllablesentence

submitted 21 days ago • 0 comments

"Don't be so #modest," Zach said. "Be proud of what you've accomplished." Jo sighed. "Fine. I have a PhD, two Masters, two Bachelors, and I have..." Muttering filled the room. "Show off..." "Thinks they're better than everyone..." "Why are they working here then..." Silently, Jo sat. #vss365

submitted 21 days ago • 0 comments

My neighbor is watching the game. Which means I am listening to the game whether I want to or not. I'm thankful to be able to afford an apartment, but lordy, they should not allow wall mounted giant tvs in apartments with thin walls.

submitted 22 days ago • 0 comments

Master chucked the burning contents of his desk out the window, flaming stack after flaming stack. Screams and sounds of agony filled the hallway outside his office. "I thought you #disarmed him!" "We did, sir." Vincent paused dousing the room. "But..." "I know. Death can't be stopped." #vss365

submitted 23 days ago • 1 comment

Rebranded website still under development but .. Immediate editing slots available! Any length accepted. About me: 20 years experience. Fiction, nonfiction, scripts, TTRPG, and more. Msg for portfolio titles. Special pre-website launch rates #WritingCommunity

submitted 23 days ago • 0 comments

beaten, forgotten a #cyclone of memories threatening to rise #vss365

submitted 24 days ago • 0 comments

Austin ran, crushing the pristine white daisies under his bare feet. The once short field of wildflowers grew, elongating into a never-ending nightmare slowly being consumed by the maniacal laughter. Keep running. He had to keep running. He promised. The clown's face appeared in the sky. He stopped.

submitted 24 days ago • 1 comment

Fresh from the courthouse, the Grayson trio stood outside their family home. Memories flooded their minds, memories as distressed as that home. William drew a long breath. "Brick by brick, we're gonna tear it all down." He glanced at the others and smiled. "Then rebuild together.' #hbp104

submitted 24 days ago • 0 comments

Life plus books Optimum smart #7syllablesentence

submitted 25 days ago • 0 comments

I climbed the stairs one at a time. Why did it have to be this way? It's not right to make me choose between them. No matter up or down, one was gloating, the other angry. I paused in the middle and sat, tears streaming. "Join me, then." a voice said. I smiled and faded into the shadows. #hbp102

submitted 26 days ago • 1 comment

Pip pointed to the presentation slide. "The rise in violence toward some CEOs and the decrease in consumer prices makes my suggestion the best route." Lincoln shook his head. "I fail to see the #nexus between these two events." Pip drew a blade from his briefcase. "You will." #vss365

submitted 26 days ago • 0 comments

The little boy traveled the perilous trail with his grandfather daily. Up the mountain, sit by the mailbox, and eat lunch. They would speak of life, nature, and everything. Except the mailbox. Years pass and the old man takes his grandson up the mountain, hoping to not see the raised flag.

submitted 26 days ago • 1 comment

Eyes closed, Baxter and Jules gripped the #bathtub with all their might as the tornado raged over their house. Finally, after what felt like forever, the wind died and the bathtub jolted. "What happened?" "Where are we?" "We ain't in Oz," they said together. #vss365

submitted 27 days ago • 0 comments

The ground quaked as the disembodied voice screamed, "You failed to protect me." Hope's heart pounded in her chest. She swallowed her words, knowing they were as hollow as ever. "You're right," she whispered. "I didn't protect you when I should have. But this... this is wrong. Please." "No."

submitted 27 days ago • 1 comment

My skin burns. Not the good kind of burn but the kind of burn that never subsides, never easily soothed. But I push on. No other choice. I've been here before, Father's stains are barely visible now, barely sting. But Mother's...well, that's another story. Three long months now. Murder burns deep.

submitted 28 days ago • 1 comment

Four blank white walls, ceiling, and floor. If I hadn't been walking with outstretched arms, I would have smacked my nose. Kidnapped? Maybe. Aliens? Maybe. Horror movie? I didn't see the door until it opened. Yeah, I think horror movie is more likely. Fingers crossed I'm the villain. #hbp100

submitted 28 days ago • 1 comment

Class 22B gathered in the stark gray room around the large screen. Images slowly appeared as their tour began. Blue skies, clouds, oceans. "Most of you will appreciate the next stop on our tour," Tutor James said. "It includes all your extinct namesakes. #Oak, are you paying attention?" #vss365

submitted 28 days ago • 0 comments

Crispin sighed and closed his book. "Max, will you please stop. I can't help it that the humans don't want to play with you." "They don't even know I exist! I'm tired and I'm hungry! I want a child!!" Crispin watched Max resume his tantrum, cursing the day he sold their home to the NPS.

submitted 28 days ago • 1 comment

"It's okay, Alice. Bullies always get it in the end." Alice wiped her tears. "I hope so, Claire." She walked through the rain back to class. The following day, Claire grinned as Luke stole her Grandma's #umbrella. "You're weird." Luke opened it. "You're not Claire," it whispered back. #vss365

submitted 29 days ago • 0 comments

Landon watched the #rockets depart, carrying the chosen ones off to their new home. For months, the news reported this day would come. "Salvation for the devoted, they said. Good riddance, I say." He glanced around and smiled at his other left behinds. "Peace at last... peace at last." #vss365

submitted 29 days ago • 0 comments

"Dude... what's that look for? I'm tellin ya 'bout failing math and--" "Yeah, it's just..." Liam snickered. "Sorry. I'm watching thought walk across your face and--" "Seriously?! We told you to stop!" "It's not like I--" Liam sighed. "Fine. I'll ask her. Damn, dude, ya gotta get laid soon."

submitted 31 days ago • 1 comment

I blinked. Still there. Wiped my eyes. Still there. Uh... What? Oh, man... Why'd this have to happen on my shift? Simple job, they said. Sit and watch the static, they said. Twenty black tvs, all static. All good. Until now. The face in number 7. Staring. Smiling. I blinked. Static.

submitted 32 days ago • 1 comment

Amanda stood stoic, the words sliding off her hardened facade. Inside, however, weeping and hiding in the darkest corner battered by another barrage, her soul wept and tugged at the #collar around her heart, longing to be free. #vss365

submitted 32 days ago • 0 comments

Chair, fed up after years of abuse, caved and asked Pine for help. Pine was happy to oblige given the years of incessant giggling, unrequested tattoos, and more broken limbs than he cared to remember. Screams filled the house as the Dixon family awoke. "How'd all these #needles get here?!" #vss365

submitted 34 days ago • 0 comments

Elliot whispered, "Why are we doing this again?" "The world needs more nonsense." Sam motioned it was clear. Sam opened her backpack and grinned. "This'll be fun to watch." She slid the old hard disk into the slot and loaded her Word Randomizer virus into the station's teleprompter.

submitted 34 days ago • 1 comment

Bills and obligations Accumulate Leaving poverty And hunger Nestled in hearts of Children living without Equity

submitted 34 days ago • 0 comments

"Begin with making an incision two inches below the rib cage..." Screams filled the crowded classroom. Dr. Brink sighed before heading toward the back of the room, snatching a roll of tape on the way. "Charles," he said, ripping off a long piece. "Step 1 is to silence the victim."

submitted 34 days ago • 0 comments

April's delight echoed through the forgotten halls. She raced along the corridor, kicking the ball back to its unseen owner. Wide eyed, Brandon froze. The trembling flashlight light amplified the ball's movement. "I'm outta here!" He bolted. April lingered in the empty hall, weeping.

submitted 35 days ago • 1 comment

Ethan scrubbed and scraped his entire shift, but the #congealed glob never shrunk. Layers of transparent goo nestled between crimson, crushed bone, and tissue fiber reminded him of a hellish tiramisu. His stomach growled, and without thinking, he had the mess cleaned up in under a minute. #vss365

submitted 35 days ago • 0 comments

Jason looked into the crimson water, wiping tears from his eyes. One #flush and it would all be over. All the secrets... the lies... the pain... gone. Freedom awaited him. A sinister grin spread across his face as he watched Emily's heart toss and turn in the rushing water. #vss365

submitted 36 days ago • 0 comments

Some of the food I cook at my night job as a hotel cook.

submitted 36 days ago • 0 comments

Bob and Ellie huddled close, frost nipped hands bracing the snow and ice soaked cardboard. "I'm sorry," he chocked out through chattering teeth, tears freezing upon his cheeks. "Oh, Bob." Ellie pressed into his chest. "No one I'd rather be homeless with, you big #galumph." #vss365

submitted 38 days ago • 0 comments

Don't miss out on our Goodreads giveaway! We are giving away 100 e-copies of our upcoming book, so your chances are good. PS. Only for residents of the US. To join our international giveaway, please email [email protected] 📚 www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...

submitted 38 days ago • 0 comments