The red “59” flashed from the band on Kena’s wrist, the intensity of its color reflecting how urgent and precious each minute, each second, was. She had given everything for this time and yet, now that she stood here in the stillness and quiet, it felt undervalued. The cocktail of aromas—the earthy spice of the…
“Speak your third wish, mortal, and let me die.” The voice of the djinn was a mountain falling over. David had picked this spot deep in the forest, a hundred miles from anywhere, so they wouldn’t be overheard. The ancient, wood-bound book cradled under his arm had been right about that, too. “Ah, ah, ah—”…
Bradley is on the register for my shift. He’s the best-looking guy at Coffin Coffee. Dark skin, deep voice, and a lean, athletic build. If I didn’t have work to do, I’d consider a hook-up. I’ve seen the glances he throws my way. Alas, duty calls. The first customer through the door is a garden-variety…
We met at the End of the World Fair and decided to die together. Amidst the dodgems and the whirling teacups, with candyfloss in our hair, I fell in love when there was no time left. He was tall and fair, with eyes like the deep green sea and a laugh like the crash of…
I fell in love with a woman made of stars. It started when I first camped in the mountains with my dad. He pointed to each of the constellations and told me their stories. My favorite were the water signs. The mother-and-son tragedy of Pisces broke me, the carelessness with which Cancer had been elevated…
The fly rolls back off the tip of the rod, wisping overhead. I pull the cast forward, and the line shoots above the water. My technique is unpracticed, my hand heavy, and the recoil tangles the line. I glance toward my father standing on the bank, hoping he hasn’t noticed my building frustration. I strip…
When my second grade class participated in a tree planting project in the woods north of town, I placed a wish in my tree just like my grandmother had taught me. It was a pine tree, so I made sure my wish was as specific as it could be. Pine trees, she told me, are…
Marta endures body scanner and pat-down, secures her possessions in a locker, and proceeds to the room where advisors explain how to speak to Monkey. “You must know the intricacies, for Monkey’s offense with visitors is easily roused.” Guidelines come like bullets from a mini-gun. “Never make eye contact. To do so is to challenge…
The house sat a little back from the road, its leaning porch and sagging roof giving it a slump-shouldered look. In the front yard, the rusted shell of a pickup perched on blocks amid an ocean of weeds. Connor pulled his rented Acura off the road and studied the house for a while. Aside from…
Tyran had nearly reached the top of the jagged mountain when the ground beneath him crumbled away. Of course, so near the summit of the Mountain of Death, after facing monsters and hoards of the Shadow Lord’s minions, the last few feet had to yield one last challenge. Even so, Tyran did what he did…
