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    Short Not Sweet: Coffee Fiction Series, #1
    Short Not Sweet: Coffee Fiction Series, #1
    Short Not Sweet: Coffee Fiction Series, #1
    Ebook139 pages1 hourCoffee Fiction Series

    Short Not Sweet: Coffee Fiction Series, #1

    By Keith M. Leonard

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Short Not Sweet provides readers with the first glimpse into the dark and sinister imagination of Keith M. Leonard. This collection of 52 chilling micro-horror stories will immerse you in tales of suspense and the macabre. From encounters with vampires, werewolves, and witches to eerie magic and psychological thrillers, each story will leave you wanting more. This installment of the 'Coffee Fiction Series' is designed to be savoured in small doses, much like a delightful treat enjoyed with your morning brew. But be warned: these stories aren't all sweet. This is a treat of a different sort for fans of suspense and the unexpected. Grab your favourite brew and prepare to be spooked and stirred!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherKeith M Leonard
    Release dateFeb 21, 2025
    ISBN9798230913689
    Short Not Sweet: Coffee Fiction Series, #1
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      Book preview

      Short Not Sweet - Keith M. Leonard

      Keith M. Leonard

      Short Not Sweet

      Coffee Fiction Series - Book 1

      Copyright © 2025 by Keith M. Leonard

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

      This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

      Keith M. Leonard asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

      Keith M. Leonard has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

      Cover design provided by Getcovers.

      WARNING: Some stories contain themes that may be disturbing or triggering for some readers. Reader discretion is advised.

      First edition

      This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy

      Find out more at reedsy.com

      The shortest horror stories are often the most terrifying.

      - Stephen King

      Contents

      Preface

      Acknowledgments

      I. MICRO-HORROR

      1. Midnight Special

      2. Powerless

      3. Heaven or Hell

      4. Forgotten

      5. Buried Alive

      6. The Woman in Red

      7. Resting Place

      8. Attraction

      9. Nothing

      10. Are You Him?

      11. The Rocking Chair

      12. Howl in Pain

      13. Ravenous Professor

      14. Fear

      15. Mist Singer

      16. A Father’s Burden

      17. The Final Edit

      18. Satan’s Lucky Day

      19. AI Armageddon

      20. Transformation

      21. The Hunt

      22. Abandoned Mansion

      23. Awakenings

      24. Voices

      25. Game of Life

      26. Lessons of the Past

      27. Awakening

      28. Scripted Secrets

      29. Witch’s Payment

      30. Dead Weight

      31. Final Trip

      32. Alone

      33. What’s on TV

      34. Stillborn

      35. Never Again

      36. The Blood Tithe

      37. Acid Rain

      38. A Dinosaur in Michigan

      39. One More

      40. Bloodlust

      41. Eternal Reign

      42. TikTok Tantrum

      43. Quakes

      44. Torn

      45. A Wizard’s Folly

      46. The Quickest Way

      47. The Prince’s First Spell

      48. School is Hell

      49. Perfect Creation

      50. Nana’s Doll

      51. Chaos

      52. Last Words

      II. DRABBLES

      53. Original Drabbles

      III. WORK IN PROGRESS

      54. Buried Alive

      Afterword

      About the Author

      Preface

      Short Not Sweet is a collection of micro-fiction stories born from a year-long drabble writing challenge. A drabble, by definition, is a complete story confined to a mere hundred words, demanding the utmost brevity.

      The challenge often presented unique twists in addition to a word of the day. For example, the story Eternal Reign had to bookend with the same line: No king can rule forever. Nana’s Doll, considered a drabble and a half, stretched the limit to one hundred and fifty words.

      Fans of horror and suspense seek immersive, edge-of-your-seat stories. This collection doesn’t offer long stories to get lost in, but it evokes fear and leaves the rest to the reader’s imagination. For instance, when you contemplate the story Nothing, fear resides in the eye, or mind, of the beholder.

      The Coffee Fiction Series is designed to be savoured in small bites, much like a delightful treat enjoyed with your morning brew. However, be warned: these stories aren’t all sweet. They probe into the darker corners of human experience, exploring themes that may surprise and perhaps even unsettle you.

      I include a brief reflection on the origin of each story, offering a glimpse into the creative process and the sometimes-surprising sparks that ignited these tales. This may be the most unsettling part of all—the unfiltered access to my dark, twisted, and occasionally hilarious mind.

      Chapter 53 includes the original drabbles for those curious about the raw beginnings of the stories.

      I pondered the ideal length for this collection, ultimately deciding on fifty-two stories—a nod to the age at which I embarked on my writing journey.

      Thank you for picking up this book! I hope you enjoy the dark delights I have prepared for you.

      Acknowledgments

      This book simply wouldn’t exist without my wife, Joy. Her unwavering support and encouragement kept me going, especially when my motivation waned. I’m so grateful for her patience through the countless hours I spent writing.

      I

      Micro-Horror

      1

      Midnight Special

      (Word of the day: Pizza)

      Pull in there! Karen yells over the thumping wipers. She points to the flashing diner sign just ahead.

      There’s nobody here, her husband Charles says, veering into the empty parking lot.

      Are you surprised? With this weather and this late, we’re probably the only two crazy enough to be out tonight. Let’s get something to eat while the storm passes.

      Hungry Eyes by Eric Carmen is playing on the diner’s overhead speaker as they rush in. A sign inside the door reads, It’s a free country. Go ahead and seat yourself.

      Charles leads Karen to the nearest table.

      I’m Alice. What can I get y’all? a thin, pale-faced waitress asks as they settle into the booth.

      Two coffees, please, Karen says.

      Anything to eat on this fine evening?

      What’s good? Charles asks, flipping through the menu.

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