by Curtis A. Bass Lieutenant Caleb Cooper “Burke! Move your ass. We’re on a timeline here,” Gilmore barked. There he goes, showing his ass again. I wish he’d just lay off. “Ignore him,” I whispered, my face close to Burke’s ear as I worked on his helmet. Louder I said, “Hold yer damn horses, Cap….
Read moreEva and the Man Tree
by Enoch Daniel High on a misty mountain, up above the clouds, in a lush, little valley nestled between snowy peaks, there once lived a girl and her mother. They had a cabin made of logs and mud surrounded by woods. The light was soft as worn linen, and the air held a breath of…
Read moreThe Forbidden Martian
by Margaret Karmazin I awoke and struggled to sit up. It was dark except for emergency floor lights, and I was ravenous. The door to my cell was wide open. Groggy and confused, I sat up, then very carefully stood. Where were my torturers? Why was it cold? Not sure of my strength, I crawled…
Read moreA Single Soul
by Richard Webb It was hard to tell which was worse: the shrieks of agony from the wounded, piercing the air, or the stink of sweat, urine and blood. The sudden screams still sent a jolt up Sathra’s spine and the tang of infected flesh in the air still made her gag occasionally, despite the…
Read moreFractured Mirth
“Fractured Mirth” by Sherry Shahan Iris longs to be with others who resist State laws; others who risk punishment to express themselves however they choose; others who believe that what a person dreams is more important than exams devised to test how little you know about history. She’s been searching for a group she heard…
Read moreThe Sisterhood at the Edge of Eternity
The Sisterhood at the Edge of Eternity by Steve Carr The shimmering silver underbelly of the enormous ship broke through the dense, dark clouds as it descended into the gale force winds that swept the planet’s surface. Eight large metallic legs with claw-like feet extended out from the sides of the ship. Plumes of vapor…
Read moreFound
I walked along the rough, uneven surface of the table, human craftsmanship at its finest. I kept my eyes fixed on the rows of canned food stacked neatly, ready to be tucked safely away in the cellar. I smiled, flexing my fingers, muscles warming with anger and urgency, so close. I reached out to press…
Read moreUnbound
The adventurers entered the entrance to our cave carrying torches, their sweaty, fleshy faces lit by the dancing flames. One was tall and lean, bald head gleaming like a radiant beacon. The second was shorter, almond hues against a mass of black curls. I was thrilled. It was hell to get here. I hadn’t planned…
Read moreEconomics
Jolly surveyed the boy’s skin. Lesions covered his upper body, leaking noxious pus. The boy caught Jolly’s eye, silently pleading for relief. It was a well crafted avena curse, a child killing curse. The boy had days before death would grant its own succor. “Shit, kid,” he muttered. “Please, your man swore you could save…
Read moreMaria
The autumn air slipped in between the torn armpits of Balon’s tunic, chilling the sweat trickling down his sides. He wrapped his arms around his body and looked around the wood. The pale white trees maintained their impartial pose, naked branches shuddering in the wind. Balon looked at the sun sliding down the horizon. If…
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