Short Game

Come with me on a walk through the graveyard. What will we find? A song that gets stuck in your head and just won't go away--and there's a sinister reason why...A cat that continues to bring gifts in the form of dead birds and mice--and other things...A junkyard where the old cars aren't exactly what they appear to be...A vinyl record collector who just has to have that one special album, regardless of the price...A prescription drug that has side effects that were never listed on the label...and Brackett Hollister once again finds himself lost in the dreaded Black Swamp--can Chula save him...

When the President of the United States is caught with his pants down while playing a virtual reality game in the White House, his cabinet is thrown into complete disarray. With the State of the Union address only hours away, Parker Smalls, White House Chief of Staff, scrambles to have the president freed. Nona Norak, the game’s main adversary, has other plans. She’s an avatar created to be unbeatable, leaving Parker Smalls with one question. How does he free the president from a VR avatar that can’t be stopped? An Amazon one-hour read.

It is my first night at the new job and I wake up in the middle of the night, not being able to go back to sleep I decide to find my way downstairs to the kitchen but soon get distracted by noises and an open door. I can't help myself but peek into the room and I'm amazed and turned on by what I see. A movie of a woman restrained and being examined and enjoying the rough humiliating treatment. Before I can even think about leaving, Lord Ashmore catches me at the door. He notices my excitement and lets me take a look at his special room. I want what I saw. I want Lord Ashmore to be the one ...

On a far-off colony, humans tower over the local species who grow the plants they need. Narr keeps the workers in line—someone has to. But when Narr learns just how short-lived their species is, the little alien embarks on a big mission: to find out why their people die and how to stop it. Stubborn and hopeful, Narr has a plan for the locals, for humans, and for the future.

Nothing is as it appears when Nightshade, a deadly samurai assassin, accepts a seemingly easy contract on his brother. Who can he trust when he is betrayed by his employer? A Samurai Cyberpunk Saga.

Maxine was made to do one thing: die. Except the minor non-player character in the world Riley is building makes her own impossible decision - veering wildly off course and exploring the boundaries of the map. When the curious Riley extracts her code for closer examination, an emotional relationship develops between them. Soon Riley has all new plans for her spontaneous AI, including bringing Max into the real world. But what if Max has real-world plans of her own?

First Meetings is a collection of three novellas (plus the original "Ender's Game") that journey into the origins and the destiny of one Ender Wiggin.

Four cousins spend an unforgettable summer night on a beach that may or not be haunted.

Every thirty years, an ancient god hosts a very dangerous game. After Ryder Copeland wakes in a hospital after a suicide attempt, two people immediately try to murder him. A woman named Juliet saves his life and then reveals that he succeeded in his suicide after all. They’re both dead, but a mad god has granted them five more days of life... if they’re willing to kill for it.

Showcasing the best of Ernest Hemingway’s short stories including his well-known classics - as featured in the magnificent three-part, six-hour PBS documentary by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick - this new collection is introduced by award-winning author Tobias Wolff.

A tale of grim realism, “The Fugu Feast” was originally published in On the Premises magazine (November 2012). This dark short story offers an inside look at a fictional suicide camp.

I am paralyzed with dread and uncertainty as I stand in the cold and bare examination room. I turn to face the metal contraption, a strange combination between a table and a chair with leather restraints at the foot and head area. I shiver and look at the large mirror covering almost half of one wall. The door opens with a squeak. I turn to face the person who has purchased me. I suck in a sharp breath. I know the man, everyone knows him. His name is Darian Brandt. He is tall, has broad shoulders, and has an aura of authority surrounding him. He is wearing a black suit that is tailored to ...

Understand the vibrant world of the Hindi language with this engaging audiobook collection designed specifically for language learners! Whether you're a beginner or at an intermediate level, this carefully curated compilation brings together a variety of fun and educational audio resources to enhance your Hindi skills. Inside, you'll discover a mix of short stories read aloud in simple yet captivating Hindi, allowing you to build vocabulary and grasp sentence structures naturally through listening. Each story is followed by key words and a full English translation to reinforce learning.

Some obsessions don’t die quietly. Dominic Vale is used to winning. Power. Respect. Control. But all of that begins to unravel when he breaks his own rules for one man—Theo Marlowe, the sharp-witted student who sees past Dominic’s polished exterior and straight through to the chaos beneath. Now, in the aftermath of The Billionaire’s Game, Dominic and Theo are together... but not unscathed. As secrets from Dominic’s past surface and the dangerous underworld of elite auctions begins to circle once more, the empire he’s spent a lifetime building is on the brink of collapse. And ...

"The things you're having me do… I was such a good girl before you came along." Abbi and her hunky older neighbor have always shared a close bond, playing all manner of friendly games with one another. Now that she's full-grown with some lovely adult parts, it's time to up the ante of their playtime… What begins as a perverted round of peekaboo leads to a risky game of pull-out, and they'll keep playing until her bumped belly spells game over. ~5900 words

Nurse Nina: Filled Deep It's my very first day on the job working for the rich Mr. Manner. My boss Dr. Ardeen embarrasses me by performing an intimate physical exam. I'm stretched and probed. But that isn't the worst, my employer Mr. Manner is present and is watching my dirty initiation. Later that night, I'm given my first night watch over Mr. Manner. It's supposed to be easy and uneventful but Mr. Manner has one of his episodes and needs my help. Dr. Ardeen directs me on the intimate therapy I have to administer. I am not sure I can submit to such behavior. But he won't let me get away ...

The Most Dangerous Game, a short story written by Richard Edward Connell in 1924, is a thrilling tale that explores themes of survival, morality, and the nature of human cruelty. Set against the backdrop of a remote island, the story combines suspense, adventure, and a touch of philosophical inquiry, making it one of the most widely anthologized short stories in American literature.

The hunter becomes the hunted. You listened to The Most Dangerous Game in high school and college, but you've never experienced Richard Connell's classic short story like this before! As part of our Otio Dramatized Classic series, Otio Stutios has transformed this iconic story into a full-cast audio production skillfully assembled by world-class sound designer Brandon Leith and executive producer George Caudill.

Come with me on a journey into the dark distance. What will we find waiting? A wooden soldier that is much more than the toy it appears to be... A father who wants nothing more than the forgiveness of his abused son... The most tragic automobile accident in history... A trip to Mexico that is anything but a relaxing vacation... A tower with a valuable jewel that turns out to be not what's expected... A vampire who finds faith can come in many forms... An interplanetary outpost haunted by a rogue alien... A serial killing shaman who takes refuge in the most dangerous swamp on the planet, ...

Lady Jane Grey never wanted the crown. She barely had time to wear it. While history remembers her reign in days, this short book remembers the girl. Lady Jane Grey was only 16 when she was handed the throne of England like a poisoned chalice. Sharp-witted, highly educated, and utterly unprepared for royal life, Jane found herself thrust into the deadliest game the Tudors ever played. Nine days later, it was all over... except the part where they lopped off her head.