“Why can’t I have a Reflectix?” Becca asked for what seemed like the hundredth time. Her face was sour and pinched under her heavy black eyeliner. Twelve was a little young for such heavy makeup, but Becca’s mom was tired of the fight. “It’s just not a good idea, honey.” “I saved up the money Continue
Category: Shorter Stories
Reborn (SF)
He was seven years old the first time he saw her. He’d been sobbing his heart out, hidden under a rose bush far from Brundt palace’s main grounds. “Who are you?” The soft, curious inquiry made him wipe his eyes on the tail of his shirt. He lifted his head. Huge eyes of midnight blue Continue
Down by the River Pt. 2 (Fantasy)
Last Time: “What’s your name?” “Faina. What’s yours?” “Frankie.” And with that, he was gone again. Of course, he returned the next day like the fly to the spider. If she still had a heart, it would have sunk with worry when he complimented her on looking drier that day. “You know what I said Continue
Down by the River Pt. 1 (Fantasy)
The water was sluggish, bringing bits of flotsam to Faina’s favorite section of the riverbank. In the spring, when the river ran fast and wild, the water carved out a circular space. Every year the little pool grew deeper. In subsequent years, no doubt the cutback would crumble and the pool would vanish into the Continue
Forthright Pt. 1 (SF)
The chief problem with being a free trader during one of the most prolonged conflicts between two major galactic powers was both larger and smaller than one might suspect. The pressing issue that haunted Captain Hetty Gaines was that of spare parts. Spare parts were dearer than hard currency from either party in the conflict Continue
Sylvia’s Garden (Magical Realism)
The fox who visited the bottom of the garden every morning at 7:45 was a holy man. Or a seer. Not a spirit guide. Martin refused to believe in spirit guides. At his age, where did he have to go? Not yet old enough for the graveyard and yet too old to sustain the hustle Continue
The Priestess from Caithel Ur (SF)
The peace and solitude needed for meditative studies was not easy to find in the crystal palace of Caithel Ur. Dagmar’s door flew open with a slam as Tara, her eldest sister, barged in. Eilir and Tegan followed close behind, filling the room with malicious energy. “Father wants you,” Tara said without preamble. “Does he? Continue
Beeve & the Demon (Paranormal)
Beeve swore and pedaled harder as yet another car honked and swerved around him. He was already riding on the shoulder. How much farther over did they think he could go? His t-shirt was stuck to his back with sweat, and he was only halfway there. Ah well, at least the rest of the trip Continue
Triumphant Pt. 2 (SF)
Previously: “How did you get on our ship?” Estelle gave Zella a cutting glare, arms folded over her chest. “I helped load your crates and didn’t get off. I hid a crate that was about my weight station-side at Antrim. Then I got myself in behind your cargo and between the ship’s ribs so that Continue
Triumphant Pt. 1 (SF)
“I’m telling you again, Captain Barnes. This is a General Union authorized free-trader hauling from Antrim VII to Wexford Station. Wexford Station is still a GU station, is it not?” Hetty paused and took her measure of the unyielding GU captain. “Or has the General Union lost territory in the last standard week since we Continue
