Jacob Marsh

Part 30 – Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

Lucy Lucy stared down at the steam billowing from her coffee. She’d retired to The Bubble and Squeak after Tom left her at the bookstore. It was always quiet, smelled more of dark chocolate than dark roast, and perpetually in off-season mode, unlike similar coffee shops in Hermit’s Rest. Its roughly 90s interior, faded pastelsContinue reading “Part 30 – Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover”

Part 29 – It’s More Than You Think

Tom The chilly morning breeze rolled over Tom as he bummed around Main Street in Blackstone. It would be summer soon, and he’d have to avoid this place like the plague. He was too old to seem cool if he ran into any teens who knew him, and too young to get any respect fromContinue reading “Part 29 – It’s More Than You Think”

Part 28 – Cameras Never Lie

Bradley When Sophie arrived, accompanied by the early morning light, Bradley was waiting for her at the door. He’d been there for hours, getting the footage ready and doing his best not to alarm Tom. Tom had always been nosy, but he was on fire lately. He’d tell the little shit off, but it wasContinue reading “Part 28 – Cameras Never Lie”

Part 27 – It Will Never Be Clean Again

Daisy It was a good day for the Pizza Stack. Lots of orders spread out almost evenly over the afternoon. Pleasant customers that arrived on time, many of which even tipped, Daisy was her the zone. She felt like she did in her forties, maybe even her thirties. As a bonus, the convenience store hadn’tContinue reading “Part 27 – It Will Never Be Clean Again”

Part 26 – The Roads We Travel

Lucy She understood why the bus stop was so far away. It technically supported the tiny community of Blackstone. But surely Crossroads Convenience made more sense as a drop-off point. “Our friggin’ staff nearly outnumbers that little shithole, anyway,” Lucy said between wheezy breaths. She was young but hardly an athlete. This long walk, especiallyContinue reading “Part 26 – The Roads We Travel”

Part 25 – A Zero-Sum Game

Tom Tom rested both his hands against the oddly sticky counter and leaned forward into a deep lunge. It was going to be a long night; he’d woken up stiff and tired, and no amount of stretching was limbering up those tense muscles. Something about the turning seasons always did this to him. Spring amblingContinue reading “Part 25 – A Zero-Sum Game”

Part 24 – The Hitchhiker

Jon The long nights weren’t the worst of it. Work had never been an issue for Jon. He was raised hard and hearty by parents who meant well but pushed him. It wasn’t the poor pay or the disrespect either. Neither of those means much to a man nearing the end of his rope. No,Continue reading “Part 24 – The Hitchhiker”

Part 23 – Burning the Evidence

??? It was almost a shame. The car was in perfect condition. It drove well. It cut a fine figure, even in the low light of the morning. Hell. it had fewer miles on it than his did, and the back seat looked far more comfy that what he was used to. He looked inContinue reading “Part 23 – Burning the Evidence”

Part 22 – Passing Time

Hayden “Well, that was a wash,” Hayden said, throwing his bag into the corner of his bachelor apartment. The worst part of being poor in a small community was how hard it was to hide. He tried to look his best and dress well, but there was only one apartment building in Hermit’s Rest, andContinue reading “Part 22 – Passing Time”

Part 21 – Spilled Tea

Hayden Hayden walked into the store through the front doors. Like a customer would. Years working here, and he still didn’t have a key to the back door. If he had any options, he’d find a new job. ‘If’ being the operative word. Hayden tussled his straight black hair. He didn’t have time to showerContinue reading “Part 21 – Spilled Tea”