Sapping Time “I don’t see what the big deal is with GMOs anyway,” Mr. Watts said to assembled field trip. The children looked up at him, sucking on maple syrup lollipops from the gift shop. “Do you know that back in the old days, they would have to collect sap in buckets and then carry…
Tag: fiction
Limited Sky
Limited Sky “You’re applying for a game developer position?” The manager flipped through my application in confusion. “Yes.” “Your background is law, though.” “I am a lawyer currently, but I’ve been studying coding for several years. If you look at my portfolio—” “No, it’s great.” The manager looked uncomfortable. “I’m just afraid you’re a bit…
Self-Delivery
I got the idea for this story on Wednesday, but I got COVID earlier in the week, so this is the first I’ve had the strength to write it down. You could chalk this up to my fevered brain, although I write this kind of thing all the time, so I guess that’s no excuse….
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…
Morning, Joe
Morning, Joe These days, every school has a “Joe”: someone to provide a sly shot of the banned pick-me-up to keep you sharp. I did business in the basement art room, killed years ago by budget cuts. Just before first period Principal Singh walked in. My heart raced but my expression remained bored. “Morning, Joe.”…
The Last One Out
The Last One Out My body feels like it has merged with the couch. I scroll through one app, switch to another, scroll, switch back. I don’t have any attention span and feeling my parents’ eyes on me when they walk past just makes it harder. They’re worried about me but don’t know how to…
Phere
Phere Phere. It was the intersection of fashion and horror. Fifth Avenue meets Fear Factor. I gingerly put on my lacquered wasp earrings. The millipede bracelet came next. Then my masterpiece, a necklace made of a live de-legged scorpion I put on with bomb-disposal meticulousness. I had more than the normal blind-date nervousness. What if…
The Neighbor We Love to Hate
The Neighbor We Love to Hate The two women watched the old man lounging in his front yard amid heaps of dirty snow. “Why won’t he leave?” one said. “He’s hurting property values.” “Right? Do you know he destroyed all my flowers last night?” “You sure?” “Who else would it be?” “He should retire to…
Typical First Date
Typical First Date The moon sparkled off the pond like the flash of a thousand smiles. It made me nervous, like a crowd was watching me. I pushed the box into the river and watched it bob away. Everything was inside: the bloody knife, the drop sheets, and the towel I used to clean up….
Raiding the Trophy Case
Raiding the Trophy Case You need shoes fast. You have no money. There is only one option left. The Trophy Case. That’s where Devin shows off the footwear of all his victims. No one would ever think about stealing from Devin. But you’re thinking about it now. You’ll need a distraction. Devin parks his Mustang…
The Green-Walled Treehouse 