Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Fiction.
Please Remain Seated
The receptionist stamped the document twice, and slid it back through the opening in the glass. “Hold on to this. It’s the door to the left, take a seat and don’t walk around or talk to anyone. Security will help you if you have any questions.” She rattled the script off like she’d said it a hundred times, already looking past me to the person behind in the queue. I sensed this was my cue to leave, and hastily thanked her before taking your hand and heading through the door. Your shoes squeaked noisily on the linoleum. The receptionist hadn’t looked at you for the whole interaction. Perhaps that’s how she managed to do her job.
By Olivia O'Shea5 years ago in Fiction
Humbirds
Today is Elden’s eleventh birthday. He wants to find a cake or shoot a gun - whichever comes first. He stands before the threshold of the MiniMart at a tall-for-his-age 4 feet and 8 inches, an old snubbie sweaty at his hip. Though he’s held it close for months now, he’s never used it. How lucky he is, he thinks, to be such a coward. To spend ten years alive like this. And what will Eleven be? Another year of childhood; of holding his breath, all tucked away in corners, praying that whatever’s in the room with him would pass right by? Or will he man up this year, stare the creatures in the face, pull the trigger?
By Shannon Grasser5 years ago in Fiction
An Unending Vigil
Hetaeres stared out numbly at the wasteland in front of him, an expanse of ash covered hills, snow and scattered trees. The ash and soot that had been falling from the atmosphere had finally settled down, allowing Hetaeres to see further than he usually could.
By Damon Rooney5 years ago in Fiction
The Great Game
We were human once. We were human when the world wasn’t filled with creatures who clung to the shadows, afraid of the sky in the day and the night. He was the reason we had become this way. It had been years, decades, a century maybe since his arrival. No one was sure exactly when, in fact, nobody knew what he actually was. For all we knew it could have been a man-made machine, an alien, whether from outer space or the devil from hell itself. Either way it didn’t matter, it doesn’t, and it never will; he existed, while this race of ours was gradually thinning into nothingness. Soon, I thought, there would be nothing. No people, no life, just a silent earth to survey peacefully. And only after each person was gone (those who would let themselves be seen in the open) would he leave. Although, most people wouldn’t believe this. As if it were that easy; to remain hidden behind our feeble bricks and underneath our rotted roads and ancient constructions, to simply wait him out. I however, wondered the opposite, if he needed only to wait for our starvation. This was the impending doom that awaited us as we played the game, merely stalling our eventual departure. I still felt however, like many alive then, the basic instinct to survive.
By L. A. Romano5 years ago in Fiction
The Interview
Nicholas was picked up while paying for groceries. It became common practice to intercept dissidents at the Costco, as it was now the only place food was legally sold. At first everyone thought they were being hauled away for shoplifting. Nobody batted an eye when someone was cuffed and taken into back rooms, as long as it wasn’t them or theirs that were being hauled away.
By Michael G Dick5 years ago in Fiction
Bleeding heart
“You know, if they find me, we're done for.” Lucia said, with her head turned away from me. I was standing over her as she lay across a large, tattered sofa with her hair fanned out behind her. Her dark skin contrasted with the white dress she wore, and her eyes had a permanent faraway look in them. Like she was dreaming she was somewhere else. Sill, the most striking thing about her was the gold, heart-shaped locket hanging around her neck. This is what they were all looking for - what they would kill to have. Even from deep down in our bunker, we could hear the chaos that reigned outside.
By Alana Samuel5 years ago in Fiction
The Heartless Survivor
The darkness was falling swiftly upon the tightly packed sardine can that was Cell 49. Only spotted glimmers shown on a chilled metallic floor and the scores of bodies that lie on it, from the lead they pumped in a splattered array through an immense steel door that had seen better days. Only lighthearted chuckles and hooting could be heard from the Prime Guards beyond the walls. They would sleep easy that night, I suppose. They sleep easy many nights, working with impunity in the proverbial Hell that was New Grand Rapids.
By Rikki Macsis5 years ago in Fiction
The Puddle Jumper
Every time it rains, you need to take care. I know the puddles are tempting. I know they look shallow and inviting. If you jump in, you might be able to make a big splash and it could be so much fun. But don’t do it. Don’t jump in. Just walk around them. Ignore them. Don’t even look too long. Because once you jump in, there’s no knowing where you’ll come out.
By J. Campbell 5 years ago in Fiction
Freedom is Justice
“Wren, we finally made it.” In front of them sat Earth, nestled like a sleeping baby in the arms of the Milky Way galaxy. Innocent and unpredictable, it made you want to reach out and cradle it to keep it comfortable. Despite its historical abuse, it still looked glorious – radiant, even. It was the Milky Way’s most precious possession.
By Jenna Ruby5 years ago in Fiction
