Author S. K. Nicholas

Clinging onto the trunk of the tree, George narrowed his eyes and gazed into the forest. At first, he thought maybe it was his mind playing tricks on him, but the longer he remained, the more he realised what he saw was real. The trees below him were moving. They weren’t simply swaying in the Read more

As the snow swept about the forest and the animals rushed towards the source of the music, the tortoiseshell cat named George climbed through the undergrowth. It was dense and almost too difficult to manoeuvre through, yet the sweet sounds that filled his heart willed him on with the energy to continue. His furry and Read more

Further into the woods and closer to the source of the music, the light left no space for shadows. Washing over us in a wave, it poured from each door, and from a place beyond—the place Rusty was taking me to. I tried calling to him, but his ears were alert only to the song Read more

To our left, another door shone through the mist, and as Rusty and I approached, I licked my nose to take the chill out of it before whipping my tail. Peering into the light, the music coming from within made me close my eyes as the moment I bore witness to was as known to Read more

As the words rolled from Rusty’s tongue, I followed him into the forest. The music carried us as if we were floating on magic carpets, and as we moved through the trees, our paws barely touched the ground. The branches that brushed against my face were like fingers—the fingers of long-dead relatives I hadn’t seen Read more

“It’s strange,” Rusty said. “I once lived a life that was colourful and true, and although that life is behind me, I still feel it calling. The people I knew, the places I called home, they’re not here anymore, and sometimes it feels as if they never were. Within me, however, they live. Not as Read more

Rusty looked at the sky; his beady eyes searching for shapes among the stars that were no doubt as natural to him as street signs were to myself. “Most that come here—that change—they don’t go back.” Licking his lips, he yawned and then shook his head. “It’s a shame you won’t stay, as I’ve a Read more

“Where is Prudence now?” “She’s close by” replied Rusty. “She comes with another. Some curious creature she picked up on a whim in a pet store, would you believe.” “Sounds about right” I sighed. “Tell me,” he asked, “Why did you push her to one side? Beg my pardon if you will, but she’s undoubtedly Read more