Christopher Michael
Bio
High school chemistry teacher with a passion for science and the outdoors. Living in Utah I'm raising a family while climbing and creating.
My stories range from thoughtful poems to speculative fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, and thriller/horror.
Stories (27)
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Important Things: The Little Prince. Runner-Up in Book Club Challenge.
When you see this photo, what is it? Does it frighten you? To many people who are unfamiliar with The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, it looks like a hat. But this is no hat. This terrifying thing represents two things: the death of childhood curiosity and innocence and, more importantly, a boa constrictor so massive, that it can eat an entire elephant as shown below.
By Christopher Michael2 years ago in BookClub
The Nashashi and the Evil Terrible Suroknoshnin!
In the sixth grade, I went with my family to see a new fantasy movie recently released in theaters. We sat down in the semi-comfortable chairs at my small-town theater. This was back in the day before reserved seats and my mother was always adamant on showing up at least half an hour early to the movies. Then the movie began. Trailers came and went, but no advertisements, this was before even those days, and soon the production studios' titles were flashing their logos while a sweeping orchestra set the mood with ominous music.
By Christopher Michael2 years ago in Writers
A City Divided by the Danube
Transportation in Budapest was better than anything I’d have ever hoped. Growing up in Utah, part of the “great” American West expansion, I’d experienced life from cars, cars, and more cars. Urban, rural, and suburban sprawl was the name of the game. Bikes were at best a hobby or short-range transportation from, I don’t know, one friend's house to the next, if you were willing to climb the steep hills of rural Elk Ridge. In college, I managed to live in an apartment close to campus, so rode my bike regularly, but shopping had to be done by vehicle. Not in Hungary. Between the tram, bus, and subway system, everything was accessible and affordable–so long as grouchy ticket patrols didn’t question your exchange student status. As great as the transit is, Budapest truly opened up to me when I bought a bicycle.
By Christopher Michael2 years ago in Chapters
Disney-?
Since Disney+’s launch and the capitalistic acquisition of media outlets, Disney has sacrificed quality for quantity. Sure, Disney had past sloppy VHS/DVD-only releases, but their theatrical productions were still enjoyable. The most grievous examples are the Star Wars franchise (vii-ix trilogy with its director debacle) and the chaotic MCU Phase-5.
By Christopher Michael2 years ago in Critique
Kokushinsan: Shadow of the Mountain Prologue - Childhood
Below the sharp, snow-covered peaks, an ocean of golden barely bent and ripples traveled among the fields. A dusty veil helped make those labyrinths of rock, ice, and snow seem a distant world. Up in the thin air of the Himalayan mountains, work was tedious and the yield was difficult, but at times like these, it was a better life, even in the shadow of Kokushinsan.
By Christopher Michael2 years ago in Critique
The Ruby Blade: Chapter 2
Read the Prologue/Chapter One here Chapter Two After years spent in near blissful isolation deep within the Canadian Mountains of Francois Village, living amongst Des and many other amazing people, Dustin thought he was ready to venture out into the world. How wrong he was. The moment he and Des entered the apartment complex, climbed crusted industrial carpeted stairs and unlocked the third door on the third floor, Dustin knew he wasn’t ready. Not at all.
By Christopher Michael3 years ago in Fiction
The Song that Broke the Cycle: Addicted! (And Other Helpful Tunes)
In 9th Grade Junior High, after a six-year hiatus, Rush, the Canadian trio titans of the progressive rock world, went on tour promoting their newest album, Vapor Trails. My entire family, extended and all, rushed off to see the live show in Salt Lake City, Utah. All except for me. I claimed I didn’t care much for Rush and stayed home to watch the younglings. What did I actually do? Turned on the electronic babysitter, slunk away to the computer, took to the internet, and watched porn, played video games, then watched some more porn. And more. When my family returned in band t-shirts with smiles and memories I realized I had missed out on something great. In truth, I loved Rush, especially their newest album.
By Christopher Michael3 years ago in Beat
Two Masks
I woke up thirty minutes before my alarm to go to the bathroom. One of those trips where I had to sit on the toilet weird. Got back into bed, and Sophie and I happened to be in sync this month. She rolled over, I did too, and we made love like we usually did these days, on our sides, rushed, and half awake. Once finished, we lay next to each other, not really saying much. I almost told her I loved her and thought she was pretty and everything, but my alarm went off. She patted my arm with her fingers, nails self-polished white, and I rolled out of bed to dress.
By Christopher Michael3 years ago in Fiction
The Ruby Blade: Chapter 1
Part I: The Darkest of Hearts Prologue The golden glow of sunlight burned away the shadows of the dying night. Warmth peaked above the rugged Yukon horizon and touched upon the white, hoarfrost-glazed landscape. Two long trains of dogs mushed amidst glittering evergreens pulling a pair of sleds. Entering spring, the daytime hours lengthened, now almost seven hours of light compared to the glum four hours during the depths of December. The early start allowed the two sledders to witness the majesty of the aurora borealis. The waves of purple and green upon a starry sky. A clandestine battle of Earth’s magnetic poles and the charged particle assault from the sun.
By Christopher Michael3 years ago in Horror
Shackles of Addiction
Several years ago on a wet December evening in Lehi, UT I bought dinner for a homeless addict woman. On my way to a White-Elephant Sock Exchange Christmas party, I had stopped at Walmart to purchase a pair of infant socks. Yes, I’m that kind of guy. Everyone gifted regular socks while I gave baby socks. As I left the parking lot I noticed a woman shivering on the curb. She wasn’t begging, but did look cold and miserable. The stained puffy jacket gave away her homely state.
By Christopher Michael3 years ago in Motivation
Sanitary and Wholesome
If walls could talk, I’d tell you the miracle that I am. I contain the essence of survival, of ingenuity, of human compassion. I also contain the sorrows and the pains, the sufferings and afflictions. I am sanitary and wholesome. Wires snake through my walls like a pulse of dedication to feed into technology that scans and cuts and diagnoses. Mortality is a fragile reality, and too often people are snuffed out of such marvels. But here within my domain, I watch individuals come together to clutch at threads, pull, weave, fasten, and save a life that would have otherwise been consumed to injury, infection, or malicious cells.
By Christopher Michael3 years ago in Fiction
Moonlight Buttress
If walls could talk, I would tell the human race of their insignificance. Here I stand, a sentinel to the works of ancient nature, a sandstone wall that has seen the passing of time, and every bipedal creature fumbling at my foundation can never comprehend. With a great sigh, the golden morning light touches upon my fractured rust-colored face. Dew collects upon the cottonwoods below and deer, foxes, and wild turkey forage in the yellowing grass. Calm and settled, the sediment rich turquoise waters of the Virgin River flow and wind past my majesty around the bend and disappear behind the great bluff the human’s call Angel’s Landing.
By Christopher Michael3 years ago in Fiction
