Strategic Jenny and I stepped out of Giordano’s Pizza near Willis Tower, and the air shook. The top of the tower was a fireball. 9/11 flashbacks flooded me. We ran. “Who would do this?” Jenny had her phone open. “The news says it was Zimbabwe.” “Zimbabwe? Why?” Where even was Zimbabwe? “They hate our government….
Tag: fiction
The Off-White Showdown
This story is a response to the Muse on Monday prompt of March 2, 2026: Write a story about giving someone bad news. The Off-White Showdown I am truly terrified of this woman. She’s glowering down at me from the fitting platform, her eyes crackling like lightning on the prairies of Saskatchewan where I grew…
The First Sundeath
The First Sundeath It was the first day. Ever. While exploring this new world, the woman noticed the sun was lower. “It’s falling,” she said. “It’s bleeding,” the man said. “See, its blood is spreading along the horizon.” “This must be the end of the world.” “It was a good life.” The sun was gone….
Angelic Excursions
This story is a response to the Muse on Monday prompt of February 23, 2026: Write a story with an animal as a character. Angelic Excursions Uriel is ready for his next mission to Earth, this time in the form of a retriever. A golden, of course. “Now remember to stick to your mission,” Francis…
A Sign of the Times
A Sign of the Times I remain frozen as I watch them approaching. The board feels heavy, but I don’t even twitch. “This place looks good. Ooh, they got chili fries.” The family inspects the menu in my hands. “Wow, this sign looks so realistic.” Heck yeah, it’s realistic. Underneath the paint, I’m 100% living…
The Forces of Gale
This is a response to the Muse on Monday prompt for February 2, 2026: Write a story where cold weather is the antagonist. The Forces of Gale I opened the front door and stopped, frozen. This was not the world I was used to. The air was not warm, not warm at all. It was…
The Key to Life
This is a response to the Muse on Monday prompt for January 26, 2026: Write a story where the character finds something in their food The Key to Life I find that the key to life is to go with the flow. Sure, you can plan things out, but life will just happen if you…
Go Big, Go Home
Go Big, Go Home I was sitting on the porch at 10 am when I saw my neighbor’s teenager approaching. “You’re home early,” I said. “They sent me home.” He shrugged. “I brought a cake in for my birthday.” “You got in trouble? For a cake?” “It was a big cake. Seven feet tall. I…
A Study in Excitement
A Study in Excitement I’ve got a Spanish exam tomorrow, but of course my lame family has to go to the amusement park together. My academic future means nothing, I guess. Lead on, Mom. I smuggle in a notebook to study while we wait in line. I pull it out again on the rollercoaster as…
Asile
Asile You lie on cold marble staring at the dome above. Blood leaks onto beautiful tiles. “Back!” you hear. “This is a sanctuary. You have no right.” You turn your head and see the priest standing in the doorway, keeping the mob out with his body. You close your eyes. The door slams and the…
The Green-Walled Treehouse 