Sui Generis I needed something unique. Groundbreaking. Twelve hours before the science fair and no ideas. Last year’s winner, my sentient rhinocopter, buzzed around the room looking bored. A living cup that produced milk and sugar for your coffee? Not enough time now. A catbird? I might as well make a baking soda volcano. I…
Tag: fiction
Dox Box
Dox Box I don’t mind people staring at me in my glass prison in the middle of 6th Avenue. I don’t even mind the jeering or obscene gestures. What sickens me are the people writing down my personal information written on the outside. I’ll need a new phone number, of course, will need to move…
I Should Have Bought the Radio
I Should Have Bought the Radio I woke up in the hospital, which is never a great day to start your day, or evening for me since it turned out to be 8pm. I was just wondering how I got there when my sister leaned into my sightline. “Hey, you’re awake,” she said. “Mom and…
Boot Reboot
Boot Reboot “What’s this Leagz7 project you’re working on?” the CEO barked. “Seven league boots,” Brad stammered. “Unfortunately, one foot originally traveled 21 miles before the other one moved.” “Huh. Sounds like a crotchal—I mean, crucial design flaw.” “We fixed that with Leagz7 2.0. Now just the boot travels, not the foot.” “Where’s the market…
Dangerous Texts
Dangerous Texts I’m on the roof. I’m going to jump. Some days I wish I didn’t have a brother. No, I don’t mean that. Truly. Stop joking around, I text back. Get back in the apartment. I can’t deal with this right now. The bakery is quiet, but I’m at work. I don’t have time…
Echo in the Dark
Echo in the Dark The blood moon crawls from behind a cloud, throwing humanoid specters against the bedroom wall. I sit up. Something is on the floor just beyond my bed. The wind rages, and the shadows frenzy on the wallpaper. But there is a crouching shadow there that never changes. “Alexa, turn on lights,”…
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…
Beyond Macaroni Art
Beyond Macaroni Art My ten-year-old 3D-printed me a car for my birthday. He downloaded the plans from the Internet, he said. I was still making macaroni art at that age. “You like it?” “Yeah. It’s . . . something.” His eyes are shining and I’m wondering if this green monstrosity actually runs, what kind of…
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…
Insert Story Here
Insert Story Here My first job was at a secondhand shop where nothing ever sold. “Where’s this from?” I asked my boss, pointing at a brass flowerpot. “No idea.” I had some ideas, even if they were all lies. That night, I wrote a history of that flowerpot. It started with murder and became more…
The Green-Walled Treehouse 