Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Fiction.
Circle of Ruins
The fugitive stood near the edge of the glacier, looking into the distance. Until now, she had managed to stay a step ahead of her pursuers but crossing this part of the Alps on foot had been a mistake. Some distance away a large chunk of glacial ice broke off with a sharp report, sounding almost like the boom of a canon shot. The sun glowed deep red on the western horizon, long rays of orange and gold stabbing through a layer of stratocumulus clouds. Overhead the blue of the sky was deepening into purple and behind her the purple darkening into black. No one had expected the nuclear exchange between East and West to result in decades of spectacular sunsets. Nor had anyone foreseen the cascade of genetic mutations creating powers such as hers in just a few generations. Reaching into her jacket, she pulled something out and glanced at it briefly in her palm before returning it.
By Michael Rinella5 years ago in Fiction
Freyja
It’s setting in once again, that well known primal urge. Run. Run far and fast as though your life depends on it. It may very well be the case. Though living by the hospitality of strangers is often a necessity, a means of survival, no mortal may be trusted for too long. Sooner or later, they all show their hand. When resting in their homes, feeding from their tables, sharing their ale in joyous frivolity, it is important to remember one universal truth - trust is for the weak, and I am not weak.
By Bree Beadman5 years ago in Fiction
The Last Treasure Hunter
One, two, three, I don’t know why I count these over the sink four, five, I just know one is going to slide down the drain eventually six, seven. Not that it’ll matter soon; I can feel the sickness setting in and my vision is beginning to fail. Eight, “8!” My once lucky number, eight teeth have fallen out in total now. The radiation is too strong here and I don’t have the strength to run any longer. Preparations must be made. The goal now is to die in comfort or as comfortable as one can make themselves here at the end of days. I am seeking a way to wash and maybe one last half decent meal. Is that too much to ask? A check list of items needs to be gathered and there’s no time to waste. Welcome to my funeral.
By Katy McManus5 years ago in Fiction
Green Lake
The locket, which was heart-shaped and had once fitted snug as a pebble into Rannie’s hand, now arced through the air, the line of a silver chain trailing behind it like the slipstream of some fallen star. An inaudible splash, barely a ripple, then the same pale green plane of the lake, unchanged, unyielding. What had she expected?
By Micha Horgan5 years ago in Fiction
The Gentle Prisoner
I don’t look forward to evenings. Everything scary in daylight is magnified immensely in the dark. Loud, distant booms make me tremble. I look at the few people around me, especially my guardian, and he seems oblivious. I think he’s used to it by now and doesn’t even flinch. How can he not fear the thundering noises, the sounds of all those explosions. Perhaps my hearing is more sensitive. I’m sure the sound is getting closer. I take cover, low to the ground in case the windows blow in. I wait there for what seems like an eternity. It’s quiet again.
By Diana Dumitru5 years ago in Fiction
Elsa May Green. Chapters one, two, and three.
Chapter One. September 20th, 2007 The hand on the dust mottled clock watching over the King’s Head Hostelry struck seven. This evening brought together me, and the usual suspects placed in our seats to begin on our seven-day reunion, as we had for many years. My colleagues in crime and wine, Elsa, Michael, Ruben, and Gabriel, allies since I could recall. Cutting our first tooth, scraping our knees, we matured into the strongest of comrades on Joshua street in the town of Longworth.
By Peter Culbert5 years ago in Fiction
Turn Out The Lights. Top Story - June 2021.
She stared at the words scratched into the dirt. She had written them there the night before, scraping with a stick at the soil until they read how she wanted them, the same message she left outside every camp she made just in case. Her name.
By Demi Smith5 years ago in Fiction
