By Caridad Cole I watch myself sleep all night. At least, what I understand sleep to be. It is when the body becomes dormant and the mind is shut off from the outside world. If this qualifies as sleeping, all of us are participating. The figure next to me is as still and unblinking as…
Read moreBoat Ride
By Henry S. Reimert Photo provided by Patrick Shaffer Kari’s bicycle tires crackle and pop as they roll over the crushed oyster shells of the parking lot. She lets the bike coast to a stop and performs a practiced dismount. She lands with a little puff of white dust that spurts out from beneath her…
Read morePROTOCOL THREE TWO SEVEN
By Paul Stansbury “Captain McKennon, why don’t we land in the canyon?” Colvig asked. He looked at the science tech, Palmer, hoping to get her support. She shrugged, remaining silent. “Sure would save Palmer and me a lot of time and effort. I don’t look forward to lowering the equipment down the cliff walls.” Captain…
Read moreThe Way of the Chapels
By Ken Foxe Once, they used to race bicycles up the hill. Sinewy men and women, engorged calves and thighs, on near weightless machines resolutely climbing at what must have seemed like superhuman speeds. They called the race La Flèche, the Arrow, a coincidental harbinger of what the ascent has since become. The hill itself…
Read moreA Daughter’s Choice
By J.F. Sebastian Trigger Warning: Suicide is discussed. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, help is out there. You can call, chat, or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Nathan watched his daughter as she trotted towards a river that spurted from a crack…
Read moreTake My Place
By Nicholas Woods IT WAS FIVE DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, and Alexander could recall a menacing feeling in his gut that later he deduced as a warning. Whether from his body, or God, or an otherworldly cautioning, something was trying to tell him that where he was headed was not where he should be. But,…
Read moreDevil’s Bargain
By Denise Longrie “I’m not worthy. I—I’m not a virgin.” Gods help me; it was the truth. A few gasps escaped from the people gathering outside our front door. Other people tittered. My beloved Vane, the cobbler’s son, stepped away toward the edge of the crowd, but he did not escape Papa’s glare. “The lot…
Read moreThe Bodark
By Leland Hames Gregory burst through the back door followed by four dirty, and excitedly barking dogs. What had been a peaceful Saturday reading time in the kitchen was suddenly a cacophonous chaos. “Dad! Dad!” There’s something in the woods!” Gregory yelled looking around for his father. Mike sighed and closed his book. He quietly…
Read moreA Situation in the Relda System
by Paul Stansbury “Ludlow, I have a situation in the Relda system—something requiring your talents… and discretion to resolve.” “Nice to see you again, sir,” Ludlow said, eyeing his old boss on the wall screen. He ran his hand through his black wavy hair as he studied the face of the former Chief of Security…
Read moreSalvador Dali and the Convergence
by Douglas Kolacki Paris, 1966 Outside the restaurant’s back door, where I had to hold my nose to go in or out, I spotted a rat. It was sniffing around our four grimy trash cans, nose twitching until I ran up and kicked at it. It ran out of sight. Just before it disappeared around…
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