Stories by Victor Phillips

The Blue Bird

March 29, 2017 by Victor Phillips Hot, Speculative Fiction 0 Comments

Once upon a time, a drab bird lived a dull existence. At long winter’s end, he and his mopey wife both felt weak and tired. Eventually the sun climbed higher in the spring sky.

“Guess it’s time to start a family,” she chirped, despite her exhaustion.

“I’ll collect twigs for a larger nest,” he replied.

Both were resigned to the task and outcome without understanding why. He toiled away making preparations. Responsibly, he put seeds on the table. She completed her share of tedious chores feathering the nest.

Difficulty Breathing

March 1, 2017 by Victor Phillips Drama 0 Comments

I’ve experienced difficulty breathing for 75 days. At approximately 10 o’clock in the evening, anxiety, shortness of breath, and headache were initial symptoms. Subsequently, onset of panic and agitation, mild shaking tremors, and fearfulness manifest as discomfort in the pit of the stomach and hollow rumblings in the intestines. Diarrhea accompanied with insomnia developed within 24 hours. My first self-medication consisted of two Pepto-Bismol tablets taken with 10-12 ounces of water after each of six eliminations of increasingly loose stool. I remained bedridden and close to the toilet. Sore throat and mild fever of 100 F followed within 48 hours, at which time I began a regimen of two extra-strength Tylenol caplets three times a day. Onset of sinus pressure, sneezing and post-nasal drip occurred within 72 hours.