You like a Goodreads Giveaway? I like a Goodreads Giveaway. I like pert’ near anything free, truth be told.
Here’s one that’s going on now, for TRUST AND TREACHERY. I’m very — as my British-speaking friends say — chuffed about being in this anthology because John Floyd is in it, too, and I think quite highly of John Floyd, I do.
GOODREADS GIVEAWAY for TRUST AND TREACHERY
And here’s an excerpt from my story, “Short Dark Future”.
by Marian Allen
Right in one of the bedrooms—his, I guess—was a door with two keypads on it: one with letters and one with numbers. I mean a door-size door, like in a bank.
Great. I’d found the vault, but it had some kind of geek egghead code. Couldn’t be tumblers or something, that a man could get into with a little patience or a little nitro or something.
Looked like I was gonna have to fall back on Plan B and just take a pillowcase full of pawnables when—
“What—hey!”
Bettering came up off a couch back in an alcove, with his hair all funny and that deer-in-the-headlights look. Missed his flight, maybe.
Anyway, I figured I’d hit it lucky.
I had him by the collar before he was good and awake, and dragged him over to the vault.
“Open it.” When he hesitated, I put a hand around his neck and squeezed. That hurts like hell, in case you don’t know.
He whined like a dog. When I let him go, he blinked tears down his cheek and tapped one keypad with one hand and the other one with the other one. Then he turned the handle and the door swung open.
Inside was like a closet, with file cabinets and stuff in it. I wondered if it would be better to see if I could make him show me what was worth something and then club him, or better to club him and take as much as I could carry.
While I was still studying about it, he lifted a shaky hand and pointed to a case of clear plastic drawers.
“Lower right,” he said. “Flash drive with all the new plans.”
“Smart boy,” I said, and pulled the drawer open.
~ * ~
Don’t be scared. The little guy doesn’t get hurt any more.
And, just in case you don’t want to join Goodreads, or can’t wait to have a copy for your very own, here is the buy link:
$13.18
“This anthology contains some extraordinary stories that will linger in your mind long after you close the book’s cover. The contributors to this anthology explore the delicate dance between trust and treachery across a sweeping variety of genres, time periods, and universes. What happens when you’re betrayed by the person you should be able to trust above all others? The one you love. Maybe even the one who has promised to love, honor, and cherish you. Or even the person who gave you life. What happens when you’re betrayed by the supposedly benevolent institutions that are supposed to protect you? Your government. Your ruler. Your god. What if it’s your own mind that you can no longer trust? Read on and find out!” – Bestselling author Donna Andrews, winner of the Agatha, Anthony, Lefty, and other awards This anthology contains 26 stories and 2 poems.
So.
A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: Betrayal, obvs.
MA
