Short Fiction

Reading Time: 4 minutes

“Can you believe it?” Elena’s eyes flashed with glee. “It’s happening! It’s really happening!”

I smiled, trying to jump on the coattails of her enthusiasm, but I lost my footing and landed squarely on my skeptical ass. I shook my head. “This is absurd.”

“It’s only absurd if you don’t believe.” Matthew chimed, as patronizing as ever.

Matthew was the DM, or he was supposed to be. Somehow he’d transformed his role from benign dungeon dictator to a kind of messiah figure. Just-this-side-of-crazy, up to now, but he’d just stepped over that line. (more…)

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The children followed their mother, eager to continue the night’s adventure. She insisted on strict formation, eyes on the back of the one before – she couldn’t really police them, but her children generally behaved. They had already crossed the Flat Black and spent hours hunting small game on the edge of the river. This was their third visit to the water and they’d done well. Ma felt confident in her latest brood – all but the smallest had managed a kill. This next lesson would help the littlest one. (more…)

Reading Time: 4 minutes

He missed Cow. Cow always left the biggest dandelions and she always gave him space. This new one hung around too close. And looked at him funny. Like he wanted something. Cow always looked like she wasn’t sure what was going on. That made Donkey feel smart.

“Whatcha doin’ over there?”

That was another thing. Cow never asked him questions. Donkey looked back at the other one. I’m judging you. That’s what I’m doing. He finished chewing. “I’m eating what’s left of these dandelions over here.” (more…)

Reading Time: 6 minutes

David felt the sunrise. His window remained dark but the warmth of dawn spread inside his chest. It was a new day, a day for rebirth, a fresh start, the dawning of opportunity. He was ready to put his best foot forward, take Kathleen by one hand, their daughter by the other, and walk boldly down a clear path. (more…)