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….
Tag: Friday Fictioneers
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…
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….
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…
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…
First Snowfall
First Snow I loved the house. Until the first snowfall. I was going to my car when I spotted tracks leading from the shed: odd organic impressions with claws marks splaying at random angles. They led to my basement door, now open. Something is in my house, I thought, suddenly terrified. Sometime during the night,…
Bore of the Worlds
Bore of the Worlds When the lights came to Earth, displaying powers beyond anyone’s comprehension, everyone just assumed they’d take over the world. Instead, they ran for city council in Sudbury, Ontario. They ran on a platform of public parks and fixing infrastructure instantly through cosmic rays. They won. As years passed, world leaders flew…
The Window
The Window The cabin was small, but the window faced the beach. He spent hours standing there, just looking out. The wind probably felt cool and smelled briny. Maybe I’ll take a walk. For the 5725th day in a row, he decided not to. Maybe tomorrow. The light flickered. The projection screen died. In poured…
Yarns for Science
Yarns for Science “Be creative,” Mom said. “But not too creative,” Dad said. “80 skeins of yarn, please,” Travis said. “That’ll be $220,” the shopkeeper said. “Plus tax.” “I hope coins are okay,” Shane said. * * * “We received a complaint,” the cop said. “About this.” He pointed to the yarn contraption. “It’s a…
Maid My Skin Crawl
Maid My Skin Crawl “You killed her!” Janice said. We stood regarding the prone figure on the floor. “I’m sorry!” I protested. “I came out of the bathroom and saw a doll with glowing eyes.” Matt picked up the doll. “Well, they’re not glowing anymore. What did you do?” “Exorcism . . . I panicked.”…
The Green-Walled Treehouse 