Why should heroes get to have all the fun? They have all the books, movies, and happy endings. In ‘No Good Deed’, we shine the spotlight on vicious villains, between-the-lines anti-heroes, and anyone who is horrible at heroics. Whether an origin story, retelling, or a triumph, we want all types of bad guys. Send us the best of your worst.
.png)
Claire is a science fiction and fantasy author represented by the Belcastro Agency. Her debut YA sci-fi novel, City of Shattered Light, released fall 2021. A gamer at heart, she writes books that are fast-paced, snarky, and driven by fierce, flawed characters.Since graduating from Northwestern University, Claire has worked as a legal writer, freelancer, and an editorial intern. On the creative side, she builds props and armor for cosplay and writes storylines for LARP games—in addition to battling with boffer swords.
Julieanne Larick is a Midwestern Best of the Net-nominated poet. She has work published in perhappened mag, Blue Marble Review, sledgehammer lit, NECTAR Poetry, and more. In addition, Julieanne reads prose at GASHER Journal and manages The Dodge's social media. She tweets @crookyshanks. Find more of her work here: http://www.julielarickwriting.com.
“You’ll never catch me, Hook!” Peter jeered from atop the mast. He pranced across the air, waving to the pirates huddled below. Some bellowed curses, and others raised their swords in challenge. Captain Hook narrowed her eyes, briney wind stringing her raven locks across her scarred face. “I’m not playing games, you insolent child.” She thrust her arm up above her crew, a pistol shining dangerously as she cocked the loading device back, trailing Peter as he danced through the air. Peter stuck his tongue out at the weapon. “That is impolite.” “So was taking my sister.” Peter stopped his frolicking, planting his hands on his hips. “We’re still on that? Please, Tink left of her own accord. She was much happier when she was with me.” Hook clenched her jaw, emotion welling up in her eyes. “She was alive when she was with me.” Peter rolled his eyes, the white clouds above writhing to a sickly gray, gathering into stormy bunches. “You’re beginning to annoy me,” he said, ending his words on a dangerous tremor. Hook shoved her pistol back into the holster, pushing through the clump of her crew, throwing her fist up at Peter. “Someone--anyone—has to end your tyranny. I don’t know what deity thought to gift you with flight, but I will spend the rest of my days, so long as I am in one piece, to repair the spell you’ve put Neverland under.” Peter’s lips quirked upwards into a boyish smile until they split apart in a laugh and then a full cackle. “One piece—that—” He clutched his stomach as he doubled over, flicking a silver tear from the corner of his eye. “Oh, Hook, you are hilarious.” He walked around the mast as if it was a spiral staircase, trailing his hand through the air as thunder rumbled. “Do you know how you got your name? When we were all put here in this world of Neverland—no parents, no past, just a destiny to follow—do you know why you were named Hook?” He shrugged as his feet silently hit the deck, and despite their threats, her crewmates parted a path for him to approach her, cornering her against her own ship’s railing. “I mean, Tink liked to build. All of her little devices were so adorable. But you … got Hook.” He pursed his lips, peering over her shoulder and hissing with delight. “Crocodile infested waters. How fun.” Hook started forward, swallowing the ball of fear wound up in her throat and raising her gun, but Peter caught Hook by her shoulders, shoving her back against the railing once again. He tsked, his thin grip painfully wiry as he pushed her back over the rail. His fingers dug into her shoulder, pain wrenching the gun from her hold, clattering to her feet. “We all have a destiny to fulfill, Captain.” He spit the words with relished mockery. Hook squirmed. Despite Peter’s reedy frame, he was much stronger than she was. She cast a frantic look to her crew, but not one of them moved. Useless traitors. Peter grinned. “Time to fulfill yours.” He pushed her over the side, and water rushed through her nose, turning the whole world black with one last thought. I will destroy him.
