Short Fiction

The monster lurked in its cave, waiting for Tristan to turn his back ...

It was a simple job, but it did need the help of a professional, in spite of the cost ...

There is a turn of the road where everything seems to be ... well not exactly what you expected. In fact, some times the path you take makes you what someone else might not have expected ...

Matthew Dexter is an American anomaly living in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. He writes novels, memoirs, poetry, journalism articles, short stories of literary fiction, short stories of narrative nonfiction, and everything else in between. When Matthew is not writing he enjoys life by the ocean; beautiful beaches, breathtaking views, reading, and being inspired. But never candlelit dinners on the beach. He's afraid of Pirates.

No longer young, no longer innocent. What she sought in the world was more of an illusion than what she saw before her ...

O, cruel Fate, to bring such consummate joy through the pages of a precious tome, full of the rich and love-strewn scent of perfectly aged papers, only to snatch happiness away by that same device ...

You never know where evil may sprout ... or what the answer to a prayer will be.

It's not just the chickens that do it ...

I don't care what the police said. It was that stupid bird's fault.

In the search for youthful looks and greater beauty, people's vanity could become the very thing that destroys them ...

There is no forcing a spirit to cooperate; the choice must come from within. The spirit must want some kind of Salvation enough to ask for it -- and then accept what that might mean.

One is always provided with what one needs to get by ... that is, if one is willing to trust... and know that "getting by" might not be easy ...

The visit was lovely, the company so welcome -- until the snow and ice made visitors into residents. And even suddenly fellow residents are fine -- that is, until the beer runs out.

Compared to the Game, real life is a disappointment. Well, except for certain rare occasions ...

There is a time of year when it's better to hold your tongue unless you want to set out on the road early, hungover, and on the outs with those you love.

He found a world of purpose, of strength, a world that could engage his whole mind. And his heart...

A dragon centuries old might impart the Mysteries of the Ages, and traveling with him, Aser might have the adventure of a lifetime. Sure. And Aunt Tilla might have shown up naked for other reasons than bad decisions on her part.

Sometimes we forget to ask, "What's your name?" -- even when we want to know someone better ... and is that because the question in our hearts is "What's your real name?"...

Excitement! Adventure! A glittering creature of myth and legend to travel with! Who could ask for a better vacation than that? Dudalos the Dragon is about to help Aser find out.

Plague waits, injured and doubting, while the angels meet to decide his fate. How could he possibly think he can help in the battle to come?

While the stars whisper overhead, and the creatures of the earth vibrate with their songs, while the rasp of daily voices fills the very air you breathe, where can you go to listen to what's in your heart?

It's high time for the ghost of Garfer Miller to move on from the planter in front of Aser's door. Unfortunately old Garf isn't looking forward to what waits for him in the next world — or who.

Plague is still not comfortable with his change from despairing suicide to the side of the angels. While we are ready to forgive others their mistakes and failings, our own haunt us like whispers of Hell...

Banding together, people can accomplish more than they can on their own. What if a dragon shows up on your doorstep? Who are your allies then?

Confronted with an unexpected event, do we step forward to embrace the adventure -- or is it better to remain safe?

A familiar constellation is slipping away as the Northern Hemisphere oozes into Spring.

Never trust a vampire writer not to mess with your head ...

Who is it, waiting there, knowing so much about that private life?

What could be more wholesome than a family trip to the zoo?

There are lots of tales worth telling, but few worth losing a beer over.