“We’ve failed,” XDS-4 blinked flatly, solar fins hanging dejectedly from her torso. “Now millions will die and there’s nothing we can do.” No one else in the pod liked what she was saying, but no one could argue with the… Continue Reading
For three years I’ve been thinking about divorcing my husband. Google tells me there are trillions of nerves in my body, and Barry has gotten under every last one. The scary thing is I’ve never lived alone, not once in… Continue Reading
We’re some distance away from the commercial Scots pine plantations (they’re too well guarded for what we have in mind), in an area of ancient woodland. Bump, bumpity, bump goes our pick-up along a narrow, snowy track. “Keep your eyes… Continue Reading
She heard a thump downstairs, then another. Lolly slipped from her bed and down the steps toward the glow of the Christmas tree. Her heart bounced. She was going to see Santa Claus! “Daddy?” Her father quickly turned from the… Continue Reading
“It’s your call,” said the demon, in his reasonable, man of the world voice. “No skin off my nose.” Bob ran his razor along his upper lip. “Let me get this straight,” he said, peering at his reflection. “When Ethel…”… Continue Reading
She looked good in sundresses. But then again, what girl doesn’t? Z. was a woman of enormous appetites (for breakfast she took eggs Benedict with grapefruit and half a bottle of Gaston Chiquet) who lived in a garlanded townhome halfway… Continue Reading
Joey’s brave, I’m smart, and we’re leapfrogging pumpkins at midnight. Worse, a monster with a pitchfork is chasing us. We saw the bodies. He can’t let us get away. Hurdling a pumpkin patch, you need a good flashlight. My piece… Continue Reading
You don’t think about bad news right away when you see that golden spongy log in cellophane by your dinner plate. You don’t question the oddity or take any special note of the fact that we don’t eat Twinkies for… Continue Reading
Rich looked at the pill. It seemed far too small to do what it was supposed to. “Is it safe?” he asked. “Nothing is really safe,” said Derek. “If you don’t take risks, you might as well sit at home… Continue Reading
The wolf clambered across the roof of the brick house, wriggled into the chimney, fell and plunged into a cauldron of boiling water. The three pigs cheered, their beady eyes flashing within the deep recesses of their doughy faces, as… Continue Reading