Hell

The last drip from the IV made him wake up in screaming agony.  A nurse with dirt under her nails and a cigarette in her mouth lazily walked over to him, looking at him up and down. "What's your problem, freak?" His throat was dry and she knew it.  That IV solution, whatever it was, …

Launch Day

The stolen, ratty, brown Jeep that had served the friends since teenagehood swerved between blown up cars and debris.  Two friends sat in the back, holding assault rifles, watching their six as the driver friend tried their best to keep the Jeep steady.  The friend in the passenger seat bounced their knee nervously, jumping when …

Memory

My power came back on, the familiar text of a sudden reboot flashed across my eyes. "--ower is minimal," someone said behind me.  At least my hearing was working.  I blinked, the figures around me coming into focus. I tried to turn around, but my body wouldn't let me.  One of the figures, a man with …

Golden Dreams

For a week, Aife avoided Sloane.  Whenever they had to be in talks with Lily, Aife kept her eyes away from Sloane.  At dinner, Aife chose to eat in her room.  Frustrated, Lily just stayed in her own quarters until Aife worked out her feelings. "Your teenage antics are giving me acne!  I've worked very …

A City of Flowers

Aife cried into the many wrinkles of Wyk's neck, making the now giant dog snort awake.  They looked down at Aife, laying their head back down in the sand before quickly sitting up, making Aife fall face first into the sand.  Wyk started to bark happily, licking at Aife's face.  She laughed, trying to wrap …

Family Reunion

The storyteller sat at the table, playing with the envelope that held the ticket to see Miss Jackson.  The story of Miss Jackson had been spreading for 20 years before their birth, so by the time they were born, Miss Jackson was just another Colonel Sanders; a caricature of a real person. "Is that the ticket?" …

Revolution and Revelation

The day before the storyteller was set to tell the complex the story of Princess Aife, one of the complex leaders caught up with them. "So, we did a headcount," they started after pleasantries.  "Went around and asked who was coming.  Looks like about 85% of the complex is -- Are you okay?" The storyteller's …

Fall of Malaeye

It was late evening when the older siblings of the other children showed up.  The smaller ones protested, stating that they couldn't leave until Princess Aife saved the kingdom.  The older ones were puzzled but shook their heads, ushering out their siblings, giving cash to the storyteller.  $5, $20, $10... The storyteller looked at this …

Blessings and Fires

The older sibling stirred in their sleep, rolling over onto their side.  They slowly opened their eyes, jumping up and screaming as their younger sibling and the neighborhood kids stared at them.  They screamed in retaliation, falling onto the floor. "Can y'all NOT?!"  The older sibling wheezed, a hand on their chest.  The smaller children …

A Name For You

On the train ride back home, the child watched the small puppy sleep in her backpack. Her sibling smiled and kissed the child's cheek. "Happy birthday!" The little smiled and laughed. She pulled up a folder that she had stuffed in her pack before the puppy had moved in.  It was decorated with various pug …