by Suzuran illustrated by Лусхүү (Luskhuu) It felt like falling, at first. It felt like a sudden shift in angle, and gravity pulling him down, but there was no ground for him to hit, nothing to break the fall. It felt like an inexorable sinking, like some endless elevator, and then, just as suddenly, he […]
Category Archives: Text
29
Oct
Sour Grapes
by Arbitrary Delight That the investor conference took place in Niagara Falls was better than the middle of nowhere, but just barely because Niagara Falls was the cheap Vegas of Canada. Hart would never have gotten to go if his boss wasn’t Zimmerman, Director of the Finance Department. He was lucky to be his secretary […]
29
Oct
Jolene, Jolene
written and illustrated by Iron Eater There was something wrong with Robert and Molly simply couldn’t figure out what. She was with him, always, because that was one of the terms of their agreement, but usually she was able to keep out of his life when he was out of the house, because that was […]
28
Aug
A World Made Up of Silver and Copper
by shukyou (主教) illustrated by 2013 “What in Hell’s name happened to you?” Ram asked, or tried to ask, because his mouth had several orange slices in it. It was not the right time of year for oranges, and they were still slightly green and sour, but to Ram’s way of thinking, out-of-season oranges were […]
27
Aug
Make It Worse
by Suzuran illustrated by melanofly camalam [22:43:46] hey daddy u up JamieMcKenzie [22:55:28] I’ve asked you not to call me that. camalam [22:55:52] right, right, sorry. lemme try again good evening, mr. mckenzie. i hope your night has been pleasant u up JamieMcKenzie [22:59:01] You’re such a brat. camalam [23:02:40] and yet you trust me […]
27
Aug
Nothing But An Unassuming Valet
by Kit Miller Spokehamshire, England. 9th of September 1885 The twenty-seventh birthday of Lord David Prevost, only child of the Lord Jesse Prevost, the Earl of Spokeham, was the most anticipated event of the season. The manour’s ballroom was packed to the rafters with guests milling about, drinking champagne, laughing, and dancing. Lord David himself […]
27
Aug
All’s Fair in Love and Taxes
by stills “I don’t get it. Your dad isn’t really the miserly type. I mean he’s not going around clipping coupons and under-tipping at restaurants.” Max made a barely audible noise of assent. He was looking out the window at the vineyards and orchards sweeping past, over-long blond bangs whipping in his eyes. “He’s not […]
27
Aug
Smells Like Teen Spirit
by H.P. Lovecock illustrated by melanofly Why am I so nervous? THURSDAY This is where I’m supposed to be. I got here with hard work, dedication, skill and sure, maybe a little bit of bizarre luck and timing. But I’m going to show everyone who helped me get here–my trainers, my F3 team, the team […]
27
Aug
To Hone High and Low
written and illustrated by Greta Jia-Kang Cabrel For most of her life, Li-Chen has enjoyed being a science teacher in fact as well as theory. She has a knack for communicating how things work, especially to kids, and it’s a thrill to coax the ones who start out thinking they’re stupid into slaying the silly […]
27
Aug
When Skies Are Gray
by Cowboy Rider The tongue plundering Samson’s mouth was making it hard to think. Being here was moronic. All of it was, really: Agreeing to help Elroy sneak his way into a high-class society ball to meet his prospective mate, as Elroy might technically belong here, heir to his influential pack’s head council seat, but […]
27
Aug
Ursa Minor
by spitkitten London, 1929 Bron dashed across St. James’s Street, slipped between the bumper of a Daimler and an idling taxicab, and splashed through the gutter, badly soaking his socks. Time to go straight, he thought. Past time, in fact. The time to go straight would have been before whoever was following him had found […]
27
Aug
The Very Hungry Incubus
By EmboSnoodler The dark stone surface of The Wall flashed past Bat’s eyes as he flew upwards. He glanced downwards and his heart soared at the sight of the ground falling away rapidly with every beat of his leathery wings. Bat refocused his gaze upwards to the edge of The Wall, lit with the last […]
27
Aug
So Much Hocus Pocus
by Sirenia illustrated by Iron Eater George irritably tapped his foot on the threadbare carpet. It had taken him no time to find the back of Quigley’s head six rows ahead of them. He’d wanted to leap out into the aisle and make the arrest, but with his commanding officer, Major Hoskins, beside him, he […]
25
Jun
Miles and Miles of Ice and Snow
by Kit Miller Fairbanks, Alaska. March 15, 1923. A motley crew it was. Siku and Suka, the wheel dogs, were brothers, both robust and sturdy with the thick coats typical for Inuit dogs, though Henry was sure all kinds of other dog had contributed to their ancestry. Of the team dogs, Orca and Delta, Henry […]
25
Jun
Bowerbird
by Sparklebeard It’s just before noon when Nathan finds the first odd tree. He’s hiked this trail dozens of times since moving north a decade ago, and he’s become accustomed to seeing small changes in the forest from one visit to the next: tall trees being felled by lightning or windstorms, creeks flooded with snowmelt […]
