Zamira Rosa slumped in the chair, feigned grogginess, and tested the twine bindings. The stench from the two intruders overpowered the smells of the hominy and meat that bubbled in the cast iron pot, though she could tell it was… Continue Reading
The sirens went off when they were having their usual argument: the one that was about chores when it started off and cycled through his mother, her mother, the relative value of their esteem, their plans for the summer, and… Continue Reading
I gaze down at the new body they’ve slotted me into. It’s a hulking one this time, all slick black and gunmetal gray with a hint of red. The limbs meticulously designed, the metal folded over each other like overlapping… Continue Reading
The Director yells “Cut!” on the sound stage and Security descends to escort the actors to their trailers — code for holding pens. The actors are fed genetically engineered food pellets to promote optimum weight, complexion and youthfulness. Exact amounts… Continue Reading
Star Shaker’s scales glittered and shone with rainbow colors under the spotlights. Her barbed tail swayed, and she flapped her tiny vestigial wings as she sang into the mic. With the backdrop of stars behind her, she looked like a… Continue Reading
Javier stared out of the grime-smeared fourth storey window of the Ness hotel. It had been a charming place, once. One of the best in New Orleans. He’d even stayed here once or twice before the aliens came. But now… Continue Reading
Lila Fellows — one-hundred and thirty pounds, nineteen years old, deloused, wormed, chipped, injected, and of good pedigree — wanted to stop biting their hands. But it was difficult. She knelt in the right place, where Owner indicated with a… Continue Reading
“A goat,” exclaimed the host and the audience whistled loudly. “That leaves us with only two doors. And now you know that chances on the left door are two-thirds. Would you like to change doors?” You know it’s not really… Continue Reading
The man leaned back, basking in the last few rays of the sun this day had to offer. The scent in the air reminded him of the burning of tar they used to fix the roads. Normally he wouldn’t leave… Continue Reading
Maren Rosenbaum perched in a small skiff on Tau Ceti Seven’s rainbow sea. It caught the leading edge of a swell and Maren’s aged body swayed, adjusting to the motion. Arthritis twinged in her back. “All right, Ma’am?” asked the… Continue Reading