In His Secret Heart: Vinyed Flash & Shorts Collection, #3

Eduard Meinema

Vinyed 3 In his secret heart

First published by www.transfiction.nl 2024

Copyright © 2024 by Eduard Meinema

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.

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Contents

1. Vinyed # 3 In his secret heart

2. 1. A new beginning

3. 1.1

4. 1.2

5. 1.3

6. 1.4

7. 1.5

8. 1.6

9. 1.7

10. 1.8

11. 1.9

12. 2. Delivery

13. 2.1

14. 2.2

15. 2.3

16. 2.4

17. 2.5

18. 3. In his secret heart

19. 3.1

20. 4. Breaking up

21. 4.1

22. 4.2

23. 4.3

24. 5. Moon Spell

25. 5.1

26. 5.2

27. 5.3

28. 5.4

29. 5.5

30. 5.6

31. 6. Ameizan

32. 6.1

33. 6.2

34. 6.3

35. 6.4

36. 6.5

37. 6.6

38. 6.7

39. 6.8

40. 6.9

41. 6.10

42. 6.11

43. 6.12

44. 6.13

45. 6.14

46. 7. Ratify

47. 7.1

48. 8. Flash & Shorts Collection

49. 9. TeeTales

50. 10. End Days

About the Author

1

Vinyed # 3 In his secret heart

A collection of short and ultra-short stories with an unexpected twist (Twisted Tales). Imaginative, surprising, and terrifying. In this issue you will find the following seven stories:

-A New Beginning

Stolen babies. A mom’s worst nightmare. When a young mother finds her newborn has been kidnapped, she is devastated. Determined to get her baby back, she reveals the truth behind a strange series of missing newborns. Babies just like her’s.

-Delivery

New job; first day. Garrick is glad that his first day as a taxi driver is over. But just before he wants to go home, one more passenger is waiting for him. A special passenger with a special story.

-In His Secret Heart

Some secrets are kept a lifetime. So is this.

-Breaking Up

Falling in love is no problem; breaking up requires a whole new set of skills. How is Arthur Sturrock going to tell her?

-Moon Spell

Exploration of the universe has been commercialized. Want to go to the moon? Look for the best offer; sign in and enjoy your flight. Everybody can be an astronaut nowadays. The question is: does everybody want to be?

-Ameizan

A boy’s dream. And apparently a girl’s dream too. Travelling into space to be the first to explore new worlds. When scientists find mysterious rings around a new discovered star and intercept communication; it is a given fact. These are the first true signs of intelligent life. A discovery of unknown alien life offering many talented people the chance of a lifetime. Go wide young man! But be prepared; things may go wrong. Murphy that!

-Ratify

The City of Paris is infested by rats. There are so many of them, they even don’t care for hiding during the daylight. Luckily there are exterminators, working day and night to control the plague.

Are you ready for the unexpected? Start reading!

2

1. A new beginning

Stolen babies. A mom’s worst nightmare. When a young mother finds her newborn has been kidnapped, she is devastated. Determined to get her baby back, she reveals the truth behind a strange series of missing newborns. Babies just like her’s.

3

1.1

1.1

Are you the father? the nurse asked.

No, I told you before; I’m the brother. I mean her brother… from the mother; not the baby. Fred Osborn was going out of his mind. Why did it have to take so long?

So, you are the uncle?

"No…Yes, the baby’s unc…Oh, for heaven’s sake woman. Hurry up, will you? Go and get the baby. What kind of hospital is this…? Losing a baby…?

I’m sure there’s no reason to panic Mister Osborn. We’ve never lost a baby. I guess one of the nurses is working with your niece.

Fred? Jessica called for her brother. What’s keeping you so long?

I’ll be right there sis, he answered. Then he continued speaking, soft but angry, to the nurse: Find her!

* * *

There you are! Jessica smiled. She was sitting in her bed. Uncle Fred! she teased her brother.

Hello Sweetie, he kissed her on her forehead. The nurses told me all went well. You have delivered a beautiful, healthy baby girl.

Yes, Jessica smiled proud. Did you see her?

Fred tried to neglect her question. Have you decided on a name yet?

With twinkling eyes she said: Yes…I will name her Freddie, after you!

Silly girl.

She took his hand. Did you see her? Why didn’t you bring her with you? I want to hold her in my arms. I only saw her a few minutes; she is gorgeous Fred!

You know, these nurses… they won’t let me…

They won’t let you? And you listen to them? Oh my; there really is a first time for everything. Or is there more…?

Hmm, they told me they will…

You are not trying to fix a date with one of the nurses, are you?

No. No sis, they told me they will bring the baby…

Freddie!

…right. They will bring Freddie in here. And I promise you I will not leave before I have held her in my arms.

You’d better!

Suddenly a man showed up in the doorway. Mister and Mrs. Osborn? he asked.

Yes? Fred said.

Can I have a word with you?

Jessica scared up. Oh no! Is there something wrong with Freddie? Doctor?

No, no…That is… The doctor waited for another staff member to join him. This is my colleague Janet Scribner from administration, and I am Doctor Haley. We wanted to have a word with you as…we have got a problem. He closed the door and walked closer to Jessica’s bed.

Jessica looked at her brother, then to the doctor. What’s wrong?

Your baby…I’m really sorry to tell you Mrs. Osborn… your baby is missing.

What? How do you mean, she’s missing? Jessica shouted upset. This is a small hospital. How can you lose a baby in here? There are not that many babies are there?

Only three.

Then one of the other mothers accidently got Freddie. My baby girl. Jessica tried to sit up and get out of bed. If she had to, she was going to look for Freddie herself.

No, please Mrs. Osborn… the doctor tried to calm her.

It’s Miss, Jessica told him mordacious.

I’m sorry Miss Osborn, said Doctor Haley, meanwhile trying to keep an eye on Mister Osborn as well. We have checked on all of the newborns and their mothers. Everyone is alright.

Everyone is alright? You are missing my baby, but you still want me to believe everything is alright! Jessica was outrageous.

Please Miss Osborn…, please. We are doing all we can to find out what happened to your baby. For now, we are sure the only child missing is yours. And Mister Osborn of course.

I am not the father! Fred cried out. I’m the brother. Jessica’s brother!

The doctor tried to calm them both. Please Mister Osborn; Miss… This does not help us to find your baby.

Freddie, Jessica mumbled.

A knock on the door made them all look around.

Police, may I come in? a woman asked.

Jessica’s eyes became big and wild. Why did you call the police?

Doctor Haley opened the door. Please come in, he said to the female officer; pleasantly surprised to see the woman with the curly red hair. He closed the door again and continued his conversation with Jessica and Fred. Miss Osborn, we have checked all possibilities. First, we have checked the other mothers and their newborns. To convince ourselves that your baby is the only one missing. Then we checked the videotapes from the nursery and…Well, it looks like someone took the baby. Not one of our staff members. That’s why we thought it was better to inform the police.

Why? Jessica now started crying.

Yes, why? said Fred. ‘’Did you see the perpetrator on tape? Has Freddie been kidnapped?"

Fred, said Jessica. Don’t be ridiculous, why would anyone steal Freddie?

Actually Miss Osborn, the doctor said. That is the reason we had to inform the police. He looked at the female officer he had invited into the room.

Detective Hannah Sturm, she said. Pleased to meet you.

Fred grumbled.

I know, she said. Bad choice of words. Sorry. She looked at the doctor and his silent companion. May I have a moment in private with mister and Mrs. Osborn? she asked kindly.

4

1.2

1.2

When Doctor Haley and Janet Scribner had left the room, Jessica said: It’s Miss; not Mrs.

Detective Sturm looked at Fred.

No, I’m not the father. I am Jessica’s brother. Is that a problem, officer?

Not at all, she answered polite and well aware both Jessica and Fred were stressed. But I do want to know who the father is.

"There is no father,’ Jessica said.

I’m sorry, said detective Sturm, "I know this may be delicate, but I really need to know the name of the