Bẻn Lẻn (Shy) “Don’t be shy.” I know that word, shy. It means I’m not trying hard enough. I smile at the American girl, pushing down my anxiety. “Where . . . you from?” I don’t understand her answer, but I nod, smiling. Everyone at the dorm mixer is chatting, even the other Vietnamese girl…
Tag: fiction
Frank
Frank “Whatcha watching?” I was just thinking how much it sucked being constantly alone when I heard the voice coming from below the TV. “Whatcha watching?” it asked again, slow and curious. “A documentary about crushing cars.” “Cool.” It was coming from the toy koala my niece made for me. “What’s your name?” I asked….
A Valentine’s Day Miracle
A Valentine’s Day Miracle I was hiking the glacier when I saw a woman lying below the surface of the ice, eyes closed. I chipped the ice until her bluish-white skin was exposed. Suddenly she breathed in and opened her eyes. “Thank you, sir,” she said as I helped her up. “I got lost in…
Got a Light?
Got a Light? Quintus just needed to melt the ice to get a drink. He felt in his pockets for a dragon. He pulled out a pygmy griffon that yawned and curled up in his palm. He swore he had a dragon. Maybe in his other jacket. Even a chimera would do. A shadow fell…
Waking Zippy
Waking Zippy Road maintenance isn’t what it used to be. When my dad had this job, there were downed trees after a storm and occasionally a mudslide or some fallen rocks. Nothing that required biology, or worse, psychology. It was 8:00 am, right around peak rush hour, when I got the call. “Hey, Juan, Zippy’s…
The Flame that Burns on in the Darkness
The Flame that Burns on in the Darkness Flame wars were harder after the Internet disappeared. James pulled the paper off the raven’s leg. “Ur a idiot and ur political ideas r stupid!” he read. James growled and grabbed some paper. “takes 1 to no 1,” he wrote and attached it to the bird’s leg….
Two Beginnings
This story is in response to the Muse on Monday prompt from January 1, 2024. Two Beginnings The dorm room smelled like failure. Ryan put his suitcases down and sat on the unmade bed furthest from the door. The white cinder block walls had the look of an institution, or a prison. He should feel…
Luddite Philanthropy
Luddite Philanthropy People whispered about the creepy house because that is what people do. It had hundreds of shoes hanging from one outside wall. People said that they were trophies from the owner’s victims. Gossip leads to accusations, then to investigations, so the police stopped by. Mrs. Hodges, 92 and half blind, sat while the…
Shoppers from Elsewhere
Shoppers from Elsewhere Our tables were ready when the Others stepped through the Door, otherworldly eyes wide and curious. They circulated the flea market, buying goods before returning to wherever they came from. No one knew. Or cared. They liked plastic, and they paid in platinum, making every 37th day a jackpot. A woman (probably)…
You Can’t Miss It
You Can’t Miss It “Stop! That’s the one.” “He said it had a green door.” “That is green.” “You sure? Looks yellow. I think it’s just a greenish light.” “Well, he said it’s the house with the green door, said we couldn’t miss it.” “You wanna go knock?” “Go up and ask if this is…
The Green-Walled Treehouse 