As discussed, Harald Bluetooth eviscerates me with his broadsword. I collapse, cloud-watching until the battle ends – which will be in fifteen minutes; we do three of these per hour. Sadly, the corpse next to mine is Sven Forkbeard. Why… Continue Reading → Continue reading at the publisher's website.

Dr. Alison Starr is sobbing behind the pod-bay door of the latrine. She must be brushing her teeth. “Smile bright—” It’s back. The VEIN-9 — or Volumetric Emotive Interface Network, version 9 — has been playing a thirty-second toothpaste ad… Continue Reading → Continue reading at the publisher's website.

It was hot but August heat was different and the only thing that helped was laying by the pool. There was a pool in my mother’s apartment complex, one of those slabs with no lifeguard and green water bordered by… Continue Reading → Continue reading at the publisher's website.

This is the story of a man and a maid,who each by their nature was very dismayed.For in truth neither was quite right in the head,but let’s take our time, for there’s much to be said. The man wandered the… Continue Reading → Continue reading at the publisher's website.

“Sit still,” you say. She readjusts her hands and a smile itches at you. You resume scratching at the easel. She glares towards the right again, jaw set and back straight. It reminds you a bit of how the British… Continue Reading → Continue reading at the publisher's website.

Cinderella watches Get Out and A Quiet Place, and all the horror movies, eating salt and vinegar chips and pistachios in the shell. She watches TV, too, and often binges. When Stranger Things releases a new season, she drinks four… Continue Reading → Continue reading at the publisher's website.

The Halloween bonfire had died down enough to approach. Catriona stopped prattling on about engagement and marriage and turned to Will. She was holding two chestnuts in her hand. “We place them on the fire and how they burn tells… Continue Reading → Continue reading at the publisher's website.

There are many Declans in this story, but let’s begin with ours. Declan sits on the edge of his bed, absently sweeping his hands under the crumpled sheets in search of the remote. When that fails, he reaches beneath the… Continue Reading → Continue reading at the publisher's website.

“Excuse me. Mind if I smoke?” “Not at all.” “Thanks, I — oh. I didn’t realize.” “Realize?” “That you’re — never mind.” A spark, a catch, sulfur, smoke. “Funny place to see one of you.” “Is that so?” “Well, outside… Continue Reading → Continue reading at the publisher's website.

In the forest, where the stones are jagged as teeth and the moss hangs wet off the peeling tree branches, there lived a witch. She loved children, meaning she found them cute, and occasionally interesting to talk to, but mostly… Continue Reading → Continue reading at the publisher's website.