The sun’s brilliant rays bore down on the band of young men as they traipsed through the dense overgrowth. Their leader held a rapier above his head and slashed at vines as
Savannah Pack The sky was gray. The clouds rolled in, and the damp wind flattened the grass around their cave like a mat. Even before the Old One came in, massaging her wrists
Let it not be forgotten that the old Camelot Grocer and Gas once stood at the intersection of Weaton Road and Linklater Lane in the town of Boone, holding the memories of many
There are two common subjects of society’s folklore. The first is the city, an ancient method of civilization that humanity has rightly disavowed. The second is the Nomad, a traveler in ornate
Gunfire boomed between the Tempest and the Fearless Dove, two enemy ships locked side by side, neither willing to surrender. Howling winds ripped at the sails of both vessels, threatening to capsize them
It wasn’t entirely without warning, but we were far from ready when the EMPs struck major power grids and plunged half the country into a blackout. Just like that, early summer 1982,
Tension rose higher than the crow’s nest atop the Obsidian’s mast. She flew no flag, for there were no countries in this wasteland sector of space. Her only company was her
Everyone needs a superhero. Especially thirteen-year-olds trying to survive junior high. At least, that’s what Maya thought. But explaining that in a book report to a teacher’s aide who took offense
“But that’s my black horse!” Eight-year-old Timmy tried to take the LEGO figure from his older brother’s hands. “Mom got it for my birthday last year!” Eleven-year-old Chris wrenched the pieces
Dustin tugged at the metal restraints that clattered against the table. He swallowed hard as the icy claws of fear slowly squeezed his heart. He looked up and saw only darkness but then
The prince awoke to cannon fire. He sat up and stared at the curtains over the windows. More cannons went off. Voices shouted. Something exploded. The prince kicked the blankets away and ran
It’s a dangerous thing, the human spirit. It drives men to achieve things never before possible and brings woe to the fool who tries to stand in its way. The human spirit
Calak slammed to the deck, covering his head as a barrel splintered over him. Water splashed across the deck as he scrambled to his feet. Glancing over his shoulder, he lunged for his
The Tempest drifted into port with her esteemed captain hunched at the helm. With the treasure safe in the hold and eight weeks of restless sailing behind him, Captain Silverius allowed a rare
To whomever might be reading this, I pray you have escaped my fate. Documented in these pages is a tale of misfortune and grief that has sealed me within a cursed town. Should
The harsh slam of the door echoed through the walls of the old marsh cottage. Anne curled up amongst the rumpled blankets, clinging to warmth. She slept on a bed far too small
October 16, 1793 Paris, France Outwardly, I am calm and composed even as the rickety wooden cart jolts me over the cobblestones. I avert my gaze from the gleaming blade in the distance,
I hear myself breathing. My inhaling comes slow and steady, as does my exhaling. Each breath is perfectly paced, never coming too early or too late. I can tell just by watching my
Honorable mention of the English Forum short fiction division. For the past few days, the parchment at my desk lay empty. I’d only managed one word in the top left corner: Ayaks.
Friday, December 5, 1941 7:52 a.m. “Yasu?” The man snorted. “I never heard that name before, and I’ve heard some strange ones living in a big city.” Yasu pressed his