Brand Association It’s Friday night and I’ve got a couple of irons in the fire. Three, in fact. There’s Double H. He’s with the Hanson and Hudson Ranch, just over the hill. He’s seen his share of bulls and heifers. He’s from the wild west if you believe him, but his memory might be…
Category: Fantasy
Jumping Day
Jumping Day The Flea has just started lowering, preparing to jump. And now, as the Springmaster, everything is up to me. “Thank you for coming,” I say to the assembled inhabitants of Kirppu. There are seven hundred of us in the small city built on the back of the Flea. “As you know, we are…
When our World Moved
When Our World Moved Could I move the glass telepathically? Pure fantasy, but so was this date a year ago. Anything to impress her. I chatted superficially, willing the glass to move. Bang! Glass and water flew everywhere. My face exploded in pain. Despite everything, my spirit glowed. I was telekinetic. Later, as I was…
Pantheon Search
Pantheon Search The air was greasy with the tang of raw adoration. The audience was already rapturous, and the excess worship was making Larry giddy. A cherub pointed, and he was on. “Welcome to Pantheon Search,” Clotho, one of the judges, said. “You are . . . ?” “Larry.” The audience tittered. “Truly a divine…
The Impossible Circle
The date was December 13, 2022. That’s important, as you’ll see. I was walking to work, the rain pattering in fitful drops, not enough for an umbrella, but just enough that your coat is wet through by the time you arrive. I reached the crosswalk on 38th and Maple and retreated under the canopy of…
The Devil Missed His Connecting Flight to Georgia
The Devil Missed His Connecting Flight to Georgia Harry was taking a walk when a morose imp approached him. “Hey,” it said listlessly. “You want to have a competition? If I win, I get your soul.” “What if I win?” Harry asked. “You get this aluminum kazoo. It’s a kazoo competition.” “Shouldn’t it at least…
Molly’s Cut
Molly’s Cut It took years to find the hidden alley where Molly’s shop lurked. She leered at me. “I sell one thing: time. One amount: forever.” I swallowed. “How much?” “Pay in kind, boy.” Her sapphire gaze wormed into mine. “Twenty years.” I coughed. She scoffed. “Fool! It’s water from an infinite well. I deserve…
The Hieroglyphics Teacher
The Hieroglyphics Teacher There was a teacher named Ben who worked in an archipelago. He had his own boat and would putter from island to island, teaching hieroglyphics at the local schools. He taught at a different school every day of the week. This was just his day job, however. His real dream was to…
Although it’s an October Evening…
Although it’s an October Evening… “Take a deep breath. In this uneventful wonderland, you’ll forget everything: family’s quarrels, school, bad days, exhaustion, and everything you’ve been struggling with. Just go to your kitchen and knock on the table three times. You will not regret it, I promise!” Olivia just read that on a green piece…
The Green-Walled Treehouse 