humanity

For better or for worse, relationships reveal the core of the human condition.

Secrets of a Peaceful Soul
In the shadow world of intelligence agencies it is inattention to detail, above almost everything else, that can mislead an investigation or get you caught. Consequences being as extreme as they are to those of us who operate in that world, you learn very quickly to pay attention to everything all the time. Especially the things you carry with you. It is more than a small wonder that I have managed to keep this little black book with me for so long and build it into so many of my cover identities. If this book doesn't resonate as deeply with you as it has with me, I ask only that you leave it out somewhere where another may find it. Whoever you are reading this now, I hope that you will consider carefully what I am about to tell you; every word of it is true. Coming from a man of many faces, that means a good deal more than you may realize.
By michael laine5 years ago in Humans
Living a Lie
At exactly 6:30 A.M, Jennifer Jiang woke up. After waking, Jennifer made her bed and did her general routine. She reached for her calendar. It was March 15th 2138, Jennifer Jiang turned twenty three. She sighed at the monotony of her mornings. It was always: wake up, routine, eat, and work. She wished for an adventure on her birthday, but she had a job to go to.
By Katherine Chau 5 years ago in Humans
Forgotten Treasure, Found
I’ve always enjoyed estate sales. The culmination of someone’s life that family and friends leave behind. Old tools, wrapping paper, drawers full of pencils and pens, books, collectibles, and well-used pots and pans. Some would call it all junk. Depending on the estate sales agent, you can haggle for some great prices. Listing the items I’ve seen could be an encyclopedia of its own. Once, I bought a replacement glass pot lid for a buck. This story is about forgotten treasure found in a small black book and a vintage clock. I picked them up together for only ten bucks.
By Amanda Carpentier5 years ago in Humans
You hold the Key
The alarm clock buzzer buzzed into her dream. It would not stop it's insisting interruption of her rest. There was only one solution. She had to wake up and hit snooze. Oh, she was a snoozer, usually. Today, she couldn't snooze. She had a job interview. She needed this job, so she couldn't be late. She slumped slowly out of bed, into the bathroom, eyes still closed. She opens her eyes to a blurred brown face in mirror, blinks several times before her view became clearer. "Alright, get it together." She coached herself, and proceeded through her morning routine. After about 45 minutes of brushing, washing, moisturizing, and four outfit changes, she was ready to call her Uber. Her ride would be arriving in 4 minutes. She grab an energy bar, her purse and keys and checked the locks. "Here we go." she said out loud while closing the door.
By Kia Knight5 years ago in Humans
Ground Delay
The first horse gallops across my field of vision and I follow his path with my eyes to the left, where he disappears into a gust of sand from off the hilly desert floor. He needed to be somewhere. In a place that was nowhere at all. I couldn’t hear his hooves, since I could only hear the howl of the wind―though muffled, as if my ears were covered. He was brown and majestic. It appeared like he had never worn a saddle, that his mane was not one regularly brushed, and after his fleeting appearance―he was gone. I continue on, with my feet in the sand, alone in the desert now, looking around occasionally at the storm I am in. Then another horse appears. She glides through my vision’s field just the same. I long to call out to her. She isn’t as afraid as she seems with the way that she runs, she’s just a bit lost. I can’t go to her and she can’t notice me―because she is me.
By Robyn Delaney5 years ago in Humans
Worth Every Penny
Upon reflection, I ought to have worn the black pants. Sally observes herself in the subway car window reflection; she wears a smart black turtleneck and remarkably red pants.
By RichSis5 years ago in Humans
Everything He Wanted
His apartment was barely bigger than a walk-in closet, and it was painted vomit green. The only atmosphere was offered by one dusty window accentuated by grandma curtains and a crusty fireplace he had never tried lighting. At least Jacob Looser did not have to wear a sweaty alpaca costume here, and he was finally able to initiate his date with his studio. It was a soothing jumble of art supplies, finished pieces that had yet to be accepted into a gallery, and his finished sketchbook collection. The pages of the current one Jacob flipped through contained impressive illustrations in many different mediums. He could lose himself in his sketchbooks and forget his demoralizing occupation, along with his visual arts degree that seemed to guffaw whenever he walked by. In fact, he would sometimes become so lost that he would find he filled up his sketchbook completely.
By Jae5 years ago in Humans
C.R.E.A.M.
Cash rules everything around me and cream gets the place in my heart that sugar once used to have. So let the wind take me away on a day like this where picnics are the last thing on my mind but I still make sandwiches to pass the time. As I walk a thin line in my own mind between logic and creativity, I’ve noticed one underlying truth about this new life I’ve chosen to live; money is the root in which a tree of life birthed people who made evil decisions in their pursuit to get more. I recently found a bag of 20,000$ in only 2$ bills. This is interesting for two reasons that intrigue me, but one more particular, how does one even come across this many two dollar bills. This could also be someone who was saving their money, which would make me feel worse. None the less the moon is in retrograde so I decided to cut my hair, quit my job, and break up with my boyfriend. While this may all seem so sudden, these were decisions I was always contemplating making. Also, twenty thousand dollars is not a lot of money either, that’s why I sold my house, bought a Winnebago, and have decided to travel across the country and document my experiences in this little black book I first bought for myself, to write down some goals I wanted to accomplish. Look at me now, cutting my bucket list in half and creating all new goals. So far I have made my way across the South, and half of my book is filled with one night stands, getting tickets for parking in the wrong spot, and running out of clean underwear. My daily routine has not changed for the last two months, and though I’ve never felt more free in my life, I wonder if I am still being stagnant.
By Clutch’s Enterprise5 years ago in Humans
Quick Change
Quick Change Do you ever wonder why you're so unlucky? Why everyone else seems to have life figured out? We spend hours, even days, comparing ourselves to others, or at least I do. I am caught in this constant dream state of overnight success, a way to get me out of debt, all while having visions of Bora Bora as if I could afford a break from reality. Ha.
By haley mccall5 years ago in Humans
Time is Money
The downpour began just like any other. Light. Quiet. Invisibly falling from the heavens so faintly that it would hardly be noticed. The precipitation would fall at an ever increasing rate until it would become an overwhelming torrent, both in volume and sound. This downpour, however, was not like every other. No, it stood out in two ways:
By Matt5 years ago in Humans
Serendipity
There are some people that believe that magic only exists in books and movies but it’s all around us if we’re open and willing to embrace it.
By Maria San Juan5 years ago in Humans
Help Wanted
This has truly been a shit day. I loosened my tie and decided to head to the park. I’ve been looking for work ever since the Red Lobster I worked at had to close because of Covid. I’m glad that they took precautions and all but I have been struggling with trying to make sure the bills were paid ever since.
By Randi Valtierra5 years ago in Humans