Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Fiction.
AI Topia
AI Topia There weren't always dragons in the Valley. Today those few that are left sleep quietly deep within the caves of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Today mankind has far more to fear from science than they ever had to fear from fire breathing carnivorous flying reptiles.
By Cleve Taylor 3 years ago in Fiction
Truth of the Wanderer
The rod bent back in his hands as the bait sunk deep into the water was taken. Smooth, sturdy ash tugged hard, then hard again, and the hook was set. Waves of dark turquoise, tranquil and calm, gently lapped again the boat turned rickety by the passage of years.
By Charles Beuck3 years ago in Fiction
The Silver Golem
Tenderly Adrian organized the tomes, grimoires, and scrolls in the shelves lining the walls. The library was of modest size, covering all the walls of the main room on the first floor of the household. It even warranted a large, stained reading desk with several tattered padded chairs to enjoy it with. Most of the books lay scattered about, many had bent pages, and some were smudged with dust and dirt. Any proper librarian would have broken down in apoplexy at the sight of such a mess. Yet to Adrian they represented his hope for the future.
By Charles Beuck3 years ago in Fiction
Xilah
She opened her hand. Sitting in her palm, the newfound trinket glinted a soft yellow in the dappled morning light of the forest. It’s a sign, surely, she said to herself. I’m nearly there. She pressed her thumb, dirty and lined black with grime, onto the smooth metal, crafted in a strange shape she had never seen before. A symbol, she guessed. It must have a special meaning, to carry such treasure inside. She lifted the chain on which it hung and pulled it over her head, the artifact resting gently against her heart as she walked onward.
By A M Portman3 years ago in Fiction
No Ferry Today (Part 3)
Previously in Part 2 Monique started cleaning up the dishes and the grill after Margo left the cafe with Devin, Melvin and Junior. She had resisted the urge to run down to the beach and see them off. It felt to her as if doing so would reinforce the feeling that she'd said goodbye to them forever.
By Paula Shablo3 years ago in Fiction
Procreation
Procreation Birth characteristics are no longer a matter of chance in the 2070s. In these days of manipulation of the human genome, bad DNA has been filtered out, and better or different DNA added to embryos so that the Government HR (Human Resources) Administration can ensure the appropriate mix of people to keep the country running at full efficiency. The HRA can create just the right number of scientists, athletes, drone workers, and artists by clicking on a few icons and sending algorithms to the many cloning and embryo development centers around the country.
By Cleve Taylor 3 years ago in Fiction
38.9072° N, 77.0369° W
16:41:10 9/22/2820 I am not supposed – I am not supposed to – I am not supposed to be here, but my biocomponents have been damaged by the weather and there is nowhere else to go but into the city. It is the Fleshies domain, and many have paid a steep price their trespasses. I know I will likely not make it out alive, I just wish I didn’t have to die alone. I am not – I am not supposed to – I am not supposed to be here.
By Joan J. Bell3 years ago in Fiction
Neighbors
Jerome was slowly descending the side of what apparently was a mountain, or at least seemed that way. He had started this journey from his front porch about ten minutes ago. “Find something that shows the power of nature, and take a picture of it.” Mr. Smith, his science teacher, had given out the assignment as they were leaving yesterday.
By Josh Mallernee3 years ago in Fiction
Bad Coffee
Kira twirled her index finger repeatedly around the metal utensil submerged in her caramel latte. She despised the waiting game as much as she despised the beverage, but she remained content. It was her who showed up twenty minutes earlier than she and Sarah scheduled. At her fifth observation of the time, it read 10:54am. She had six minutes left to prepare as much of her speech as possible, be it Sarah would give her a chance to speak.
By Monai the Poet 3 years ago in Fiction
Neighbors
It seemed like days had passed, but it was beginning to get late in the afternoon and they had been talking for hours. Mr. Radke still hadn’t come home, and he knew that he was going to have to go home soon. He had no desire to leave, but he knew that he couldn’t stay forever. “I don’t know what to do. I really need this picture and he still hasn't come home yet.” She looked at him for a minute before replying, “Wait, what about my yard! Jumping up she took off running towards the fence. Matt continued to swing and had still not said a word. Jerome knew shy, but he had never seen someone so quiet before. He wondered momentarily if the child might have something wrong with him. “Over here!” The angelic voice of Misty came across the yard.
By Josh Mallernee3 years ago in Fiction
The Shadowstalker of Zastava
Anyone staring down the dirt road would have been hard pressed to glimpse the shadowy form approaching past the rows upon rows of wheat in the deepening night. Had their eyes been sharp they would have seen the thin, delicate shadows of the tall stalks bending towards the figure moving through their midst. Passers-by might have tried to reassure themselves that it was the evening breeze up to its usual tricks, but the air remained still and the wheat itself remained straight. Only the shadows moved.
By Charles Beuck3 years ago in Fiction