With Fingers Gray and Cold

Evil won't be swindled.In the frozen lands beyond the edge of civilization, charlatan Marten the Magnificent swindles villagers of their valuables in exchange for superstitious charms. But when faced with a true monster, Marten is forced to rely on his own useless trinkets, or risk losing his life. A dark fantasy short story.It's hard to attain Nirvana - especially when you are accused of being a cross-dressing Muslim terrorist. Mr. Jain strictly adheres to the principles of non-violence and vegetarianism. However, due to an an unfortunate turn of circumstances, he develops a taste for meat. He wants to buy meat at a neighborhood restaurant, but fears public condemnation. To avoid detection by fellow Jains, he conceals himself in a burka. In the process, he gets mistaken for a cross-dressing Muslim terrorist who is out to corrupt the moral fabric of American society. Will Mr, Jain escape the clutches of the law and find salvation? It is a far more difficult prospect than he can ever imagine.