Jean Bruce
Bio
They/Them, 32. Writes Horror/Mystery/Fantasy and occasionally Reviews. I enjoy joining the contests. Friendly and easy to approach, talk to me about writing!~
Stories (21/0)
Immortal
There weren't always dragons in the Valley. Before they came, the Valley was a little town called Maisteek. For decades, the entire continent of Ackrland was overrun by dragons invading and imprisoning humankind. Clutches of the beasts would grow their hordes of prisoners and riches from the lands they ravaged. They had little opposition. Even the strongest of mortals could do almost nothing to stop an entire clutch of dragons from taking whatever they wished.
By Jean Bruce2 years ago in Fiction
The Independent Oldest
Dear Mom, Before even writing anything, you can probably tell that this letter is from me. I'm the only one of your children far enough away to send a letter. But yes, it's me, your oldest child. I am the child who you knew would move away and never move back. I am the child who was always eager to be alone and independent. I am the child who went to college on the other side of the continent, which was actually my second choice because I was sure going to school in Ireland would have caused you to panic. It turned out to be a good choice anyway.
By Jean Bruce2 years ago in Confessions
The Wandering Spirit
A very well-known figure in the sleepy town of Stonebrook was the spirit of the Wandering child. Several people had stories pertaining to this soul from teachers to taxi drivers. Nearly every story was the same. Someone would see a child about nine or ten years old standing in the distance. Their clothes were tattered, a trash bag in their hand. Their face was obscured by shoulder-length hair. After a short encounter, the child would disappear.
By Jean Bruce2 years ago in Horror
The Soldier of St. Waldren
Saint Waldren’s hospital was the oldest medical facility in the county. It was a landmark that was so well known that it was often used as a checkpoint for directions. Not that Thana ever needed to, since she never left the hospital anyway. With all her health problems, it was almost easier to tell people what she DIDN’T have. She couldn’t keep many friends her age since not a lot of people consider being in a white room with beeping noises and overpriced buffet food a fun Friday night. As a result, her only ‘life’ was online with the exception of an occasional guest or nurse.
By Jean Bruce2 years ago in Horror
Lost in the Woods
Camping was Amelia’s favorite thing to do. When she was young her parents would take her, her older sister and her younger brother out into the campsites and they would bond like she supposed all family members did. There was something tranquil about being surrounded by nature.
By Jean Bruce2 years ago in Horror
The Lake of Souls Reach
Helen remembered when kids used to play by the lake. There used to be family reunions and picnics on the shore. There used to be boats in the summer and ice skating in the winter. Helen remembered when that all changed. She remembered how algae became worse and worse, how it would latch on to their skin when they went swimming. She remembered how more and more fish were found dead on the lakeshore. She was unsure why or how this started to happen. Her childhood mind latched onto the old legend of the lake and how it was sacred for spirits that rested at the bottom. Perhaps they were angry. Perhaps it was pollution.
By Jean Bruce2 years ago in Horror
Auction
Peter had been a custodian for nearly 25 years. It wasn’t that he particularly liked the work, but it was steady and reliable. He already had so much time building up that resume, and working with people was exhausting. He liked coming to work and listening to his music while he cleaned up. Peter had worked for the storage company for about six years. He was the oldest member of the team, technically. The turnover rate was something he didn’t envy.
By Jean Bruce2 years ago in Horror