The Apollo slipped into the room through the cracks in the blinds. He traced his daughter’s cheek. The machines beeped. He felt powerless. The boat followed dolphins to an island where a silver ship was crashed into a palm tree. The alien stood and extended its hand. The […]
free fiction
Ronnie curled up in the hideout and pulled out one of the chocolate bars that Jim’s grandma had sent with him. They didn’t get much chocolate on Mars, and Ronnie usually savored it. She devoured the bar in four bites. Her mom was driving her crazy. She thought that she […]
Martian Adventures: Moms
The woodsman stared at the red velvet heart that rested in his tin palm. He hadn’t thought of himself as Nick Chopper for a long time. He wondered if he really wanted that name back–if he even wanted the life he’d been working to win back for so long. But […]
A Heart to Love With
The shopkeep stuffed a pigeon into a parakeet cage. Coos changed into sweet chirps. "Never let it out of its cage," he warned his customers. Ed wondered why he never saw baby pigeons. He found a rocky seashore, where round stones glowed in the moonlight. He never saw the sunrise. […]
Twitter Stories
Jim zoned out a little during the speeches. He listened while Ronnie’s dad got up and talked for a while about the purpose of the colony–about exploration and the indomitable human spirit. It was the same sort of thing that Ronnie’s dad always went on about. Jim’s lips twitched. He […]
Martian Adventures: The Naming Ceremony Part 3
Pigeons crowded the sill outside of Sally’s window. They cooed and pecked at the glass until Sally couldn’t ignore them any longer. She flung the window open, and the bird scattered. They regrouped and swooped into Sally’s office. "What do you want?" she asked. They just stared at her with […]
Art Critics
Molly watched as the sun grew small behind them. She was never going to feel its heat again. She missed it more than she missed her family. The AI woke Seth. It said it needed his help, and it kept him busy with little projects for years. When he died, […]
Twitter Stories
Mrs. Morgan looked taller without Jim’s dad towering over her. And she looked pretty in her pink-flower dress and pearls. And Jim looked very solemn in his suit. Ronnie grinned and waved. Jim waved back. Ronnie’s mom had redecorated the cafeteria for the ceremony. The tables had been stashed somewhere, […]
Martian Adventures: The Naming Ceremony Part 2
Allie had no idea why her cousin put cowboys and Indians in his magic cupboard. It was obvious to her that they needed dinosaurs. The children reached the next step in evolution. After their minds expanded, they voted to bring back the dinosaurs and outlaw homework. They thought the creatures […]
Twitter Stories
Jim stuffed his tie in his pocket. Ronnie’s mom could help him with it. He crept out of his room and into the dark kitchen. Just a few more steps, and he’d be out. "James?" His mom flicked the light on. "What are you doing up this early? And why […]