Letter Hats Culture is unusual. People in other countries might look the same, but they do things you wouldn’t expect. Like a stop sign I saw with ARRET on it, but with a little hat on the “e”. I asked Camden, the neighborhood Google. “History,” he said. “They started dropping the “s” from words and…
Tag: fiction
Tremors from Eden
This story is based on the writing prompt from Muse on Monday – June 27. Tremors from Eden I still remember the first time I leaned against the wall and heard music. It was not complete: just like the trash I scavenged which was stripped of nutrients and value, the melody was undetectable and only…
A Universe of Five
A Universe of Five She counted to five, because there were only five things in the tiny cave that was her universe. The Bed, where she slept. The Hatch, where her food and water appeared while she slept. The Hole in the floor where the smelly stuff went that came out of her body. The…
Waterfell
This story is part of a weekly story challenge called Friday Fictioneers, where participants write a 100-word story based on a picture. Thank you to Fictioneers queen Rochelle for choosing my picture this week. This is from the Iguazu Falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil. I want to apologize for not being able…
Sapping Time
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…
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…
The Green-Walled Treehouse 