Monthly Archives: November 2015

Are You There, Cthulhu?

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It’s Tuesday, and I have a little Lovecraftian story for you today! Equal parts allegory, Lovecraft, and wholesale theft of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.

If you don’t know what Lovecraftian means, just know that Cthulhu is a godlike being that may drive you insane.

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Are You There, Cthulhu?

by Rick Cook Jr.

Are you there, God? It’s me, Margaret. I’ve never prayed before but the guy on TV said you were always listening.

I got into a fight today with the man who thinks he’s my father. Just ’cause he married my mom doesn’t make him my dad. Does it?

I want my real dad back, but the guy on TV says that it can’t happen. That you don’t work that way. Why not? You make people happy, but you can’t make me?

Anyway, I’m sorry to bother you. I hope you have a solution. Amen.

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Are you still there, God? It’s me again. Margaret?

I think maybe you got my instructions confused. The guy on TV says not to question your methods, that you always have a plan, but I’m not so sure.

My stepdad started acting like my real dad. But it’s still my stupid stepdad.

Can I have him back or not? I don’t mean to be upset or angry with you. You’re obviously trying.

Please give me back my dad. Amen.

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I’m sure you remember me by now, God. Margaret.

My stepdad is scary now. He spouts gibberish and speaks with two voices. Mom doesn’t seem to think there’s anything wrong, but I can tell she’s worried, too. Worried how I’ll react. Worried who I’ll tell.

When he isn’t chanting I think sometimes he might be my real dad. He is kind, and remembers things my stepdad couldn’t. But then he hugs me too tight and I can’t breathe, and it feels like there’s something in my head, telling me it will all be okay.

Can you make him stop, God? I don’t want my dad back anymore. I just want things to go back to the way they were. Please make the voices stop. Amen.

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Margaret. God. What are gods. Father is back. Thank you. Ph’nglui mglw’nafh C’thulhu R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn. Amen.

THE END

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I’d like to take this opportunity to let people know that there’s a super neat anthology that came out last month that has stories in it about the Lovecraftian mythos, but completely written by women.

She Walks in Shadows is available in print and ebook, and one of my friends has a story in it, so go check that one out if you’re interested in more Lovecraftian stories!

The Shape of Family – Finale

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Hey hey, Internet! It’s Tuesday, and better than that, it’s the climax of this ridiculous shapeshifter story. Part Seventeen coming at you!

<- Part Sixteen – Confrontation

If you’re looking for the start to Volume 2, look no further! Volume 2, The Wings Take Shape, starts right here!

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The Shape of Family

Finale – Part Seventeen – Meld

by Rick Cook Jr

Claire stared at the creature known as the bandersnatch. It shifted to a dragon eerily similar to Sadie’s form. He rushed her as the fire ignited the pitch in the roof, and with a deafening crunch the wall collapsed behind her as they fell into daylight. The melee was so loud it could have been right next to Claire. So great was her surprise that she hardly felt the splintered wood as it slid out of her side. She collapsed and Jeffrey yanked her to her feet.

“Am I seeing this?” he asked, and she held the open wound, feeling faint.

“Dragons. They’re dragons,” she said. Continue reading →

The Shape of Family – Part Sixteen

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It’s Tuesday and there’s a shapeshifter lurking about. You seen her? She’s been known to take the form of a horse, a jellyfish, and a mouse. What form is she taking today?

<- Part Fifteen – Bond

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The Shape of Family

Part Sixteen – Confrontation

by Rick Cook Jr

They rode before dawn, headed to their deaths.

Could Sadie hurt the creature once more? He had called her a mutt. Was there a connection between the skinchangers and whatever he was? It appeared so.

But she couldn’t Change. Not right now. Walking was hard enough.

She was glad of Jeffrey’s warmth behind her on the saddle. Sergeant Hughes had outfitted her with a change of clothing and a dagger. Little good it would do her.

The fingers of dawn stretched and cracked their knuckles through the bloody wood. The creatures of the night retreated around them, but the woods were still dangerous. If the beast didn’t find them, something else might.

Sadie had been so worried about the bandersnatch that she had forgotten to be wary of the other beasts of the forest. Continue reading →

The Shape of Family – Part Fifteen

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It’s Tuesday! Captain Claire Claymonte continues leading the charge against the Bandersnatch in today’s entry by… taking a bath? We’re so close to the end, you guys. Can you feel it?

<- Part Fourteen – Pieces

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The Shape of Family

Part Fifteen – Bond

by Rick Cook Jr

The tension should have drained from Claire as she eased into the tub. Maggie waited on her hand and foot, scrubbing her back, washing her hair, cleaning her wounds. Claire wasn’t sure she loved this woman, but it was a near thing, and every minute that passed without Claire confronting her on what she knew of this sun cult, the cords of her neck strained. The ale in her stomach churned. She wanted to vomit. She held it in.

Maggie said, “I can just hardly believe it. A monster, and those poor twins. What’s the world coming to?”

Claire stiffened, the sweet scent of the soapy water cloying when usually she would lavish in it. Now she felt dirty letting Maggie touch her. She said nothing.

Maggie asked, “What will you do?”

Claire wiped tears from her eyes before Maggie could see them and cleared her throat, feigning a cough. “Give us a drink, will you?” Continue reading →