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…
Tag: Fantasy
On Monday I Woke Up as a Dog
On Monday I Woke Up as a Dog On Monday I woke up as a dog—a sloppy, tangle-furred St. Bernard who had grown up on the streets. As the sun peeked between the brownstone houses that lined the east side of the street, I set out to discover breakfast. A few people called out to…
My Father is Dying in the Desert
My Father is Dying in the Desert The Stone Emperor is dying. It was just the two of us now, wandering across the burning expanse of desert, towards the far-off dream of the ocean. I stagger along in his shadow as he towers over me. The sand trembles as he walked—one step for every fifty…
The Other Side Boy
The Other Side Boy The playground was water-logged. Sidney stepped carefully. “Hey down there!” Sidney looked up, then down. His reflection looked up from the puddle. Then it waved. “Come up here with me,” the reflection boy said. “Come play.” * * * Clint looked up. The playground was empty. “Lily!” His wife came running….
The B.U.G. (Big Unfriendly Giant)
The B.U.G. (Big Unfriendly Giant) Bus ticket to Mount Crius Park: $15.60 Snacks for six-hour hike where I found the BUG: $6.35. Search and rescue efforts after he took me to his cave: $38,500. Collect call to my parents at rest stop after escaping: $2.36. Cost of his following me home: Rest stop shelter:…
Writing Corner: Story Maps
It’s not usually the case for short stories, but novels will often come with a story map. As someone who loves maps and is very visual, I’m always happy when a story has a map in it. Maps can help you picture where things are taking place as you are reading. Not everyone feels the…
The Birth of Dandelions
The Birth of Dandelions There once lived a very beautiful sun. She knew she was gorgeous; she was very proud of her looks. She knew some people worshiped her; she knew all of them were very happy when the morning came. She knew she was an inspiration, a goddess. Therefore, before showing herself up in…
Wolves and Dark Fire
Wolves and Dark Fire I wake with my face in the furry back of a wolf. It does not have the musky smell of an animal—these wolves smell only of ash, and if the damp is up, mold. It is a smell I am used to. I sit up and put my back to the…
Invisible
Invisible Gavin woke up on a Thursday to find that he was invisible. His first thought was that his mirror was malfunctioning. When his sleep-rusted brain realized that this wasn’t a thing, he considered very briefly that he might be a vampire now and just couldn’t see himself in the mirror. He looked down at…
The Book Under the Bed
The Book Under the Bed The box under Michael’s bed was in a fire-proof documents safe with two keys. It was a lot of protection, especially since Michael took it out and read the book every day without fail. It was the sort of book he should have found in the dusty corner of an…
The Green-Walled Treehouse 