Sibyl Park Everyone knew you could find the know-chicks in Sibyl Park, usually after midnight. “What do you want?” a voice said from a bench. Hoodie, pink hair, pale face illuminated by her phone screen. “I need to know something.” She made a well, duh gesture but still didn’t look up. “What job would make…
Tag: flash fiction
Florera
Florera “Go, Florera!” The vase leaps off my arm and flies away. “How does it do that?” my friend asks. “I’ve trained Florera since she was a shot glass.” I shrug. I’m not about to explain the whole history of vasery now. “What if she breaks?” “Florera’s tempered. Sure, there are predatory florists out there,…
The Sprint of Courtney Revere
The Sprint of Courtney Revere It should have been an email, but of course, the Internet was destroyed. This had been way easier for her ancestor: two choices, that was it. She pulled out her cheat sheet. Cheat sheets. One if by land, two if by sea, three if by air, four if directly from…
The Party Exile
The Party Exile I lie in the backyard, kicked out of the house. It’s cold. I can hear the party sounds from inside. I could go ask for a blanket, but that might be awkward. I hear something approaching. It’s my beagle Augustus. He licks my face, and I scratch his ears. “How’s it going…
Browsing the Infinite
Browsing the Infinite The heaven of the AltUni Mall, with goods from every alternate universe, was the choices. The hell was also the choices. “I just want an American flag with ducks instead of stars,” Nel said for the thousandth time. Every muscle in Kylie’s body screamed. “I’ll make one in Photoshop,” she said. “Ten…
The Lexipals Program
The Lexipals Program The good news was that Derek was heading to Spain for a dream vacation in a little over a week. The bad news was that he couldn’t remember any of his high school Spanish except the word bufanda, for some reason. Sure, there were lots of language learning apps, but they seemed…
The Phoenix
The Phoenix Through the salt-grimed asylum windows, I watch the Phoenix enter the harbor to cheering crowds, back from miraculous wartime exploits. I launched that ship. The crowd cheered me then, right up until they stole my crown and transformed it into a ballot box. And imprisoned me here. The door opens. “Supper time, your…
Audition
Audition I showed up early for the Musikour audition at the dance studio. Parkour with music, they said. The door was barred by a high metal barrier. Fair enough; I’d expect nothing less. Humming a happy tune, I scaled the fence, hoping this was being recorded. The door was locked. This was getting more intense….
Bẻn Lẻn (Shy)
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…
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….
The Green-Walled Treehouse 