Submissions by Lozzamus
POEMS AND SHORT STORIES
Poet Introduction
I compare poetry to painting, believing that I lack any drawing/painting skills but believing my imagination and training in writing has enabled me to transfer my love of visual art to the written word
FICTIONAL PROSE
Published
21st Dec 2023 7:27pm
21st Dec 2023 7:27pm
Silent - The Girlfriend (2)
Two Years Ago, Gavin
I suppose I should have paid more attention to the signs around me, for Philippa seemed flustered and in a hurry to leave when she woke, like she couldn't wait to get away. And later, when I headed to the communal bathroom, I caught sight of the mentor Dawn staring at me with such hostility, it scared me. That was the first time I'd seen her since the party on Sunday evening and I knew I'd really hurt her.
Breakfast. Pretty quiet. No sign of Philippa, Aidan, Dawn. No sign of the blonde waitress, Lucy Harlesden. No hot plate. Just Paul, the...
I suppose I should have paid more attention to the signs around me, for Philippa seemed flustered and in a hurry to leave when she woke, like she couldn't wait to get away. And later, when I headed to the communal bathroom, I caught sight of the mentor Dawn staring at me with such hostility, it scared me. That was the first time I'd seen her since the party on Sunday evening and I knew I'd really hurt her.
Breakfast. Pretty quiet. No sign of Philippa, Aidan, Dawn. No sign of the blonde waitress, Lucy Harlesden. No hot plate. Just Paul, the...
#relationships
#mystery
#obsession #risk
#obsession #risk
149 reads
2 Comments
FICTIONAL PROSE
Published
13th Dec 2023 6:14pm
13th Dec 2023 6:14pm
Silent, The Girlfriend (1)
Two Years Ago, Gavin
Someone was knocking on my door again. 'Gavin? Can you open the door, please? I need to talk to you.'
'Go away, Philippa.'
'I'm so sorry about earlier. Aidan and I aren't going out. Aidan always gets the wrong impression and thinks girls are interested in him when they're not. He has serious issues. Please open the door. I need to talk to you.' She sounded just like Lucy a few minutes earlier.
Eventually, the door knocking got too much, so I jumped out of bed and answered. 'I nearly got battered because of you,' I said,...
Someone was knocking on my door again. 'Gavin? Can you open the door, please? I need to talk to you.'
'Go away, Philippa.'
'I'm so sorry about earlier. Aidan and I aren't going out. Aidan always gets the wrong impression and thinks girls are interested in him when they're not. He has serious issues. Please open the door. I need to talk to you.' She sounded just like Lucy a few minutes earlier.
Eventually, the door knocking got too much, so I jumped out of bed and answered. 'I nearly got battered because of you,' I said,...
#relationships
#mystery
#obsession #risk
#obsession #risk
131 reads
6 Comments
FICTIONAL PROSE
Published
6th Dec 2023 7:14pm
6th Dec 2023 7:14pm
Silent, A Tense Encounter (2)
Two Years Ago, Gavin
Too much. Jace, Steve, Aidan howling like a child, and now the girl in the hood shouting at me too. I pretended I needed the toilet and climbed through the window space again, cutting my finger on the nail, conscious of the hoodie screaming more obscenities after me from inside the building. It was pretty light outside, breezy but muggy. My heart was hammering in my chest. I tiptoed round the back and climbed over a fence, tearing through hedges and branches on all fours, into a field, my jeans and trainers getting plastered with mud, my hands getting stung...
Too much. Jace, Steve, Aidan howling like a child, and now the girl in the hood shouting at me too. I pretended I needed the toilet and climbed through the window space again, cutting my finger on the nail, conscious of the hoodie screaming more obscenities after me from inside the building. It was pretty light outside, breezy but muggy. My heart was hammering in my chest. I tiptoed round the back and climbed over a fence, tearing through hedges and branches on all fours, into a field, my jeans and trainers getting plastered with mud, my hands getting stung...
#mystery
#obsession
#risk
164 reads
4 Comments
FICTIONAL PROSE
Published
26th Nov 2023 5:21pm
26th Nov 2023 5:21pm
Silent, A Tense Encounter (1)
Two Years Ago, Gavin
It was awful. I kept trying to leave, but each time I walked to the empty window space, Jace or Steve got me in a friendly headlock and sat me down again while the hoodie cackled in the corner, muttering before laughing out loud. I couldn't believe I'd tried to help Jace the previous night when he'd done his stupid walk along the sea railing. I should have let him fall into the water.
Meanwhile, Philippa and Aidan were bickering in another corner of the building. Aidan rolling around on the ground and crying like a little kid. Throwing up everywhere...
It was awful. I kept trying to leave, but each time I walked to the empty window space, Jace or Steve got me in a friendly headlock and sat me down again while the hoodie cackled in the corner, muttering before laughing out loud. I couldn't believe I'd tried to help Jace the previous night when he'd done his stupid walk along the sea railing. I should have let him fall into the water.
Meanwhile, Philippa and Aidan were bickering in another corner of the building. Aidan rolling around on the ground and crying like a little kid. Throwing up everywhere...
#mystery
#obsession
#risk
184 reads
6 Comments
FICTIONAL PROSE
Published
19th Nov 2023 7:35pm
19th Nov 2023 7:35pm
Silent, A Disclosure (2)
Two Years Ago, Gavin
I skipped dinner, unable to face Dawn after last night. I managed to persuade Veronica to sell me a sandwich and some crisps from the light refreshment counter, and I ate the snacks alone in my room. I thought a bit more about the Lucy girl. It all seemed mad and over the top, although plausible to a point…the whole thing of the former Mayor chasing after her…not exactly normal. I slipped on some clothes that were less scruffy than the ones I'd been wearing. I had a shave. Prepped back my hair with gel. Nice one. Yes! I brushed my teeth. Imagined kissing...
I skipped dinner, unable to face Dawn after last night. I managed to persuade Veronica to sell me a sandwich and some crisps from the light refreshment counter, and I ate the snacks alone in my room. I thought a bit more about the Lucy girl. It all seemed mad and over the top, although plausible to a point…the whole thing of the former Mayor chasing after her…not exactly normal. I slipped on some clothes that were less scruffy than the ones I'd been wearing. I had a shave. Prepped back my hair with gel. Nice one. Yes! I brushed my teeth. Imagined kissing...
#mystery
#obsession
#risk
158 reads
4 Comments
FICTIONAL PROSE
Published
17th Nov 2023 6:53pm
17th Nov 2023 6:53pm
Silent, A Disclosure
Two Years Ago, Gavin
Someone was knocking on my door again. Philippa, this time.
'We need to talk,' I said. 'Who are you really? You aren't from Tunbridge Wells, are you?'
A smile played around the corner of her lips. 'How did you find out?'
'It doesn't matter. Just tell me. I can't deal with anymore of this.'
***
'I'm from Exeter in Devon,' she began, after pulling up a chair and sitting opposite me. 'Don't let the accent trick you. Years of practice and private schooling. I'm seventeen, not eighteen like I...
Someone was knocking on my door again. Philippa, this time.
'We need to talk,' I said. 'Who are you really? You aren't from Tunbridge Wells, are you?'
A smile played around the corner of her lips. 'How did you find out?'
'It doesn't matter. Just tell me. I can't deal with anymore of this.'
***
'I'm from Exeter in Devon,' she began, after pulling up a chair and sitting opposite me. 'Don't let the accent trick you. Years of practice and private schooling. I'm seventeen, not eighteen like I...
#mystery
#obsession
#risk
171 reads
4 Comments
FICTIONAL PROSE
Published
8th Nov 2023 7:36pm
8th Nov 2023 7:36pm
Silent, A Nasty Prank
Two Years Ago, Lucy
She sprinted back to the bungalow to collect the remainder of her clothes. When she went in, she heard Veronica on the phone in one of the bedrooms, music playing in the background. The other girl Michelle was drinking wine in the kitchen with a boy. They stopped talking when they saw her. Stared at her, looking her up and down.
She ignored them and hurried to the bathroom to freshen up and dry off, burying her face and hair in a towel. How stupid of her to trust that lad, Gavin. She should have known he wouldn't believe her. He was just like the...
She sprinted back to the bungalow to collect the remainder of her clothes. When she went in, she heard Veronica on the phone in one of the bedrooms, music playing in the background. The other girl Michelle was drinking wine in the kitchen with a boy. They stopped talking when they saw her. Stared at her, looking her up and down.
She ignored them and hurried to the bathroom to freshen up and dry off, burying her face and hair in a towel. How stupid of her to trust that lad, Gavin. She should have known he wouldn't believe her. He was just like the...
#mystery
#obsession
#risk
154 reads
2 Comments
FICTIONAL PROSE
Published
29th Oct 2023 12:36pm
29th Oct 2023 12:36pm
Silent, A Revelation
Two Years Ago, Gavin
The storm had stopped, but not the downpour. Back at the House, I went up to my room and got out of my wet stuff. I took another shower and put on a fresh t-shirt and trousers. Afterwards, I checked the times of trains from Preston on my phone. I'd had enough of Steve. He'd taken an immediate dislike to me, and now I wanted to go home.
'Gavin?'
A voice, definitely female.
***
'How do you know my name and room number?' I said when I opened the door.
'I looked you up in the Register,' the girl said. 'The...
The storm had stopped, but not the downpour. Back at the House, I went up to my room and got out of my wet stuff. I took another shower and put on a fresh t-shirt and trousers. Afterwards, I checked the times of trains from Preston on my phone. I'd had enough of Steve. He'd taken an immediate dislike to me, and now I wanted to go home.
'Gavin?'
A voice, definitely female.
***
'How do you know my name and room number?' I said when I opened the door.
'I looked you up in the Register,' the girl said. 'The...
#mystery
#obsession
#risk
159 reads
0 Comments
FICTIONAL PROSE
Published
23rd Oct 2023 7:17pm
23rd Oct 2023 7:17pm
Silent, The Confrontation
Two Years Ago, Lucy
'You're mad, I'm afraid to say,' Arthur said, stepping out of his car and striding towards her. 'Coming back like this and calling on my former daughter-in-law.'
'I'm not mad,' she shouted back at him. 'It's you and this family with all its secrets.'
She glanced at the taxi, now part of the way down the driveway. The taxi had come out of nowhere, taking her by surprise. The lad from two nights ago had seen her and he would soon work it out. She needed to get back to the House and talk to him.
Although it no longer mattered,...
'You're mad, I'm afraid to say,' Arthur said, stepping out of his car and striding towards her. 'Coming back like this and calling on my former daughter-in-law.'
'I'm not mad,' she shouted back at him. 'It's you and this family with all its secrets.'
She glanced at the taxi, now part of the way down the driveway. The taxi had come out of nowhere, taking her by surprise. The lad from two nights ago had seen her and he would soon work it out. She needed to get back to the House and talk to him.
Although it no longer mattered,...
#memories
#mystery
#risk
172 reads
2 Comments
FICTIONAL PROSE
Published
4th Oct 2023 6:59pm
4th Oct 2023 6:59pm
Silent, The Photograph
Two Years Earlier, Lucy
She marched off in a temper, sprinting through the narrow alleyway that connected the bungalow to the grounds of Lyme House. These people weren't going to drive her out. First thing tomorrow, she would contact the press and make that old witch sorry. Suggesting that she was unwell and in need of rest. The witch was mad.
She arrived back at the bungalow out of breath. In her room, she found an A4 package, placed at the edge of the bed. Now what?
She opened the envelope and took a step back.
A photograph.
Of...
She marched off in a temper, sprinting through the narrow alleyway that connected the bungalow to the grounds of Lyme House. These people weren't going to drive her out. First thing tomorrow, she would contact the press and make that old witch sorry. Suggesting that she was unwell and in need of rest. The witch was mad.
She arrived back at the bungalow out of breath. In her room, she found an A4 package, placed at the edge of the bed. Now what?
She opened the envelope and took a step back.
A photograph.
Of...
#memories
#mystery
#obsession #risk
#obsession #risk
136 reads
0 Comments
FICTIONAL PROSE
Published
24th Sep 2023 7:32pm
24th Sep 2023 7:32pm
Silent, Confrontation With The Ogre
Two Years Earlier, Lucy
A total disaster.
'I've had my eye on you ever since last night when I saw you and one of my students together in the garden shelter,' the Ogre said. 'I assume you were on your way to see the student just then.'
'No.'
'It would be better all-round if you were honest.'
'I am being honest.'
'I hope so,' the Ogre said. 'For your sake. Wandering around student accommodation is a very serious matter.'
She didn't respond to this, unsure of which answer would bring about greater consequences....
A total disaster.
'I've had my eye on you ever since last night when I saw you and one of my students together in the garden shelter,' the Ogre said. 'I assume you were on your way to see the student just then.'
'No.'
'It would be better all-round if you were honest.'
'I am being honest.'
'I hope so,' the Ogre said. 'For your sake. Wandering around student accommodation is a very serious matter.'
She didn't respond to this, unsure of which answer would bring about greater consequences....
#memories
#mystery
#obsession #risk
#obsession #risk
173 reads
0 Comments
FICTIONAL PROSE
Published
18th Sep 2023 7:00pm
18th Sep 2023 7:00pm
Silent, Digging For Answers
Two Years Earlier, Lucy
She waited for Veronica to go, then slipped into the office behind the main desk in the entrance foyer, having planned the moment all afternoon. It was there on the rack, just like she'd known it would be. Left for the cleaners.
A copy of the key to the apartment on the top floor where the Ogre was currently staying, Agnes Harlesden.
***
Earlier:
I'm being stalked by your son, she'd texted Arthur Harlesden before the evening shift. He's been following me in his car and he's paid someone to come into my room at the bungalow...
She waited for Veronica to go, then slipped into the office behind the main desk in the entrance foyer, having planned the moment all afternoon. It was there on the rack, just like she'd known it would be. Left for the cleaners.
A copy of the key to the apartment on the top floor where the Ogre was currently staying, Agnes Harlesden.
***
Earlier:
I'm being stalked by your son, she'd texted Arthur Harlesden before the evening shift. He's been following me in his car and he's paid someone to come into my room at the bungalow...
#memories
#mystery
#obsession #risk
#obsession #risk
134 reads
2 Comments
DU Poetry : Submissions by Lozzamus
