And the first run of comments begins:
AlcubierreWarp – The month kicks off with a cracking tale, of someone prepared to give up their life in the service of the demon they follow, giving the creature free reign to walk the world. Well presented and truly catching the willing sacrifice of the supplicant, despite the pain and cost.
High Eight – A read or two and I think I see the impossible love story coming into play here. A man so deeply in love with his wife, no matter what she might me (I’m guessing were-wolf, but am prepared to be wrong!) that he is prepared to sacrifice all for her. It must be returned to some degree because she does not eat him!
Karn – A well presented story that is simply the devotion to duty and to the task at hand. Someone willing to stand in place no matter what the odds and do the job allotted to them. I could just see him there, for some reason he seemed cold as he fired his gun...
AMB – This was the first story to make me smirk this month. I just really appreciated the ending. It is an old trick but it nearly always works. The imparting of great knowledge seemingly cut short just at the crucial point. Great idea and well presented.
James Coote – The feel I get from this one is more about catching the essence of the theme which it does so very, very well. Someone dedicating their life to a cause, but what happens when they fail at the task, do they give in or is there that little hope that they might find some form of continuance?
Starbeast – Well... this was just explosive. A magnificent little story that plays with all expectations while staying true to the theme. In some ways it starts off wrong footing the reader as it looks like fun but you cannot see the theme there, it all comes together with the kiss at the end.
Scott – As much fun as the previous entry was this is the antithesis. Slow building, dark and with a darkly brilliant closing line. All the information is given to you, and the ending puts the sinister into the opening lines. There is just enough ambiguity for the reader to make their own mind up about what is going but the details are subtly blurred. Delicious.
Warren – Another ambiguous one that gives a lot more than the word count should allow. Most obviously we have the devotion to a deity, perhaps even preparing to go and fight in that god’s name, but it leaves it open as to whether she would go and fight after she discovers the new path she is on.
Abernovo – A good solid story that not only seems to catch the theme with ease but squeezes a whole relationship into 75 words and just how that kind of love can change not just a person but the people around them.
Alchemist – A clever piece this taking perhaps the most common prayer in the Christian world and updating it for the modern age. Incredibly well chosen words, keep the flow of the original intact, while conveying the updated message with ease.
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