by juou no zan (女王のザン) When Cody was growing up, he thought his parents’ decision to move to the middle of nowhere to raise him was a good one. They sidestepped all the problems of a nosy school system by homeschooling him. They avoided crowded places because there was nowhere they went that ever got […]
Category Archives: Text
18
Dec
Rust Lake
written and illustrated by Ptarmigan The sun is hours away from rising, but most of the people of Rust Lake are already up and starting to go about their day in the dark of night, streets alight with artificial lamps as flurries of snow swirl lazily in the illuminated beams. In a tiny cabin at […]
30
Oct
This City Loves You
written and illustrated by Iron Eater William and Rabbit had been in what they politely called the renovation business for years when William sussed out that Rabbit was very probably cheating on him. Sleeping around wasn’t a big deal—they’d never set out to be exclusive, and the fact they were an item at all had […]
30
Oct
A Voice Once Swallowed
by 織工 (Okō) Kolya’s mother invites Nick to join them for a family dinner in early February, when he and Kolya have been together for about three months. It’s really more of a demand than an invitation, since there’s no way for Nick to turn it down politely even if he wanted to. “All move […]
30
Oct
Mirrored
by Tamari Erin (玉里えりん) Only one of the beds in the infirmary was occupied, at the very far end of the ward. The curtains were drawn around the bed, and a lone medic stood in wait outside. Darael stomped moodily three paces behind Commander Nigellus as they walked down the row of empty beds. He […]
30
Oct
Run For Your Life
by Hyakunichisou 13 (百日草 十三) Reed hovered in the darkened doorway and wondered why he’d thought it would be a fun idea to spend his day off pissing himself with fear on national TV. The two candles on the mantelpiece cast just enough juddering light that he could see the darker gloom of the bed, […]
30
Oct
In the Name of Love
by A.S. Mara illustrated by beili Someone was ringing the doorbell. Loudly. Hamzah groaned and rolled over, squinting at his phone. The glare of his screen told him it was far too early to be up on his day off, but that certainly wasn’t stopping whoever was at the door. He put his phone back […]
30
Oct
Man Seeking
by shukyou (主教) illustrated by cloven “He’s a serial killer, you know,” was what Wyatt heard as he approached his friends at the bar. “Nah,” said Benny, shaking his head so his disdain came through loud and clear over the thudding strains of Joy Division. “He probably doesn’t kill them. Just chains them to a […]
30
Oct
Hunted House
by Yuriko Toru (百合子 亨) “Lost?” Jared leapt about a foot in the air, twisting to find the source of the voice. His eyes landed on the shadowy figure silhouetted against a nearby tree, and he sighed, shoulders sagging in relief. “Eli,” he greeted, shoving a stray lock of hair behind his ear. “You fucking […]
21
Aug
Off-site team-building
by Hyakunichisou 13 (百日草 十三) illustrated by Keshi “I want a ridiculously large soft-serve ice cream cone with sprinkles on it,” Russell said, ticking the list off on his fingers. “I want a button with an ironic pop culture reference that I’ll lose before I get home. I want meat on a stick, and I […]
21
Aug
Hasta
by A.S. Mara “So are you coming or what?” “I’ll pass,” Qamar said, and grimaced at the exaggerated gasp that followed his answer. “Bro. You’re passing up on free food?” “It’s a buffet, man. What the hell.” “Who are you? What have you done to the glutton we know and love?” “I’ve got other plans,” […]
21
Aug
The Smart Girl’s Spellbook of Practical Wicca
by shukyou (主教) illustrated by rebelliux It was Nightshade who had the idea first. She’d been at this the longest, since back before we all could drive, because her parents were the only ones willing to shuttle her to the town’s single New Age store, where the shelves were stocked with crystals and books that […]
21
Aug
Higher Than Hay Bales
by Okō (織工 ) It turns out 2013 isn’t the New York Rangers’ year for the Stanley Cup either. They make it to the playoffs as a wildcard, and lose the first round of the playoffs in six games. Kolya is exhausted, and bone-weary, and his ankles and knee are killing him, and some […]
21
Aug
Silver Lilies
by Yuriko Toru (百合子 亨) The Eclipse Festival was a prestigious event, Piper reminded himself determinedly. The colony on the moon was hosting an enormous party to brighten up the dark, and supplying free room, board, and transportation to all their prospective entertainment. An invitation to perform was not the kind of invitation one could […]
21
Aug
Sacrifice
by Hiwaru Kibi (火悪 木美) Silviestro was going to die. He had known this for nearly a year now, ever since the astrologers had checked their charts and calculated the dates, then pointed to the calendar at what would be his twenty-second birthday. He’d been reminded of it in every plate of food brought […]
