CASTING STONES • by Sara Jackson
From a dim corner I laughed as I watched Ashlyn coax Dr. Jesmit into Graves’: a clever rabbit drawn into a den of foxes. Dr. Jesmit had clawed her way from a third tier slum to a first tier office… Continue Reading
Science Fiction
NEW YEAR’S DIVE • by Kathleen Molyneaux
Adam stared across the table and tried to remind himself that when he looked at Eric, he was seeing the future of humanity. Or at least that’s what the paperwork said. The dossier listed Eric’s qualifications including strength, resilience, and… Continue Reading
PULLED OVER ON THE INTERPLANETARY AUTOBAHN • by Roderick Holl
My ship finally eased to a complete stop next to one of the countless stationary white-blinking buoys that lined the Interplanetary Autobahn between Earth and Mars, only open in estimation to the two planets near-biennial passing. I had just completed… Continue Reading
THE MASTER PASSWORD • by Wil Cabrera
Step 1 of 2: Please enter your 6-digit code. She nodded. Six loud clacks—3, 1, 4, 1, 5, 9. Accepted. Now loading… Easy, Nancy thought. The only numbers Chad learned by heart were those found in intricate formulas and equations.… Continue Reading
FULL CIRCLE • by JT Gill
It was the spring of my sophomore year that the craft was discovered, half buried at the bottom of an ocean trench. Out of black waters they dragged it up, and brought it to the harbor, shining in the sun… Continue Reading
THE BOTANIST AND HER DAUGHTERS • by Sean Mulroy
“You should leave Tani here…” Gwen was digging in her garden as usual, on bended knees amid rows of mutated hydrangeas. It was Ms Krilov speaking behind; that monotonous tone was distinct and grating. “…I doubt,” Ms Krilov paused temporarily,… Continue Reading
THE GUNPOWDER RESISTANCE • by Daniel Ausema
If not for the flames I wouldn’t have believed the woman. But there it was, the enemy’s construct surrounded by flames so hot the brass fittings melted off as it caved to the cobbled street. Rain hissed from hot metal.… Continue Reading
WE’VE COME TO ASK YOU A SERIES OF QUESTIONS • by Rachel Harrison
We sit at the picnic tables behind the Dairy Queen eating soft vanilla ice cream. Charlie’s cone has rainbow sprinkles. Mine has chocolate. Only mine isn’t in a cone. It’s in a cup. Cones come with an inevitable stickiness that… Continue Reading
THE GRADUATION GIFT • by Sheryl Normandeau
Anya’s earworm was malfunctioning. There could be no other explanation for what she was feeling: she had caught herself several times humming the melody of a tune that wasn’t her graduation song. Just this morning at breakfast, her fingers had… Continue Reading
IN THE DOG PARK • by Edward Ashton
“Hey,” Max says. “Got some bad news. We’re shutting down.” I stare at him, slack-jawed. His tongue lolls out, and his tail gives a vigorous wag. “I hate to harsh your day,” he says, “but I thought you might want… Continue Reading