Microfiction
278 Terraforming Mars — Part 2
DIARY ENTRY SOL 4,155 Seismology from the moons’ impacts established what extremes that could be withstood should something bigger wander into Mars’ orbit. This was prudent, considering what goes whizzing by in the next outer orbit around the Sun.
By Gerard DiLeo2 years ago in Fiction
Unhinged. Content Warning.
"When it starts," Phil said (thick, freckled fists clenched) "You join in. Got it?" Riley, a scrap of a boy next to his mountainous classmate, gulped and nodded. It was hard to believe they were both fifteen. Phil sloped to the back of the line. Whispers had been circulating that something was going to happen in Ms. Garnett's woodworking class. Exactly what was unclear. She appeared in the doorway in her leather apron, hands on hips, a determined set to her face. She was a tiny woman, but tough. Many of her classes were all boys, and oversubscribed. She ruled them with an iron fist. Her flashing green eyes tolerated no nonsense. Her red hair had been escaping from her bun all day as if it were a live thing, Medusa's snakes uncoiling in a ginger halo of stress. Ms. Garnett let them pass into the room singly, or in pairs, only when they were neat and orderly. Several gave an appreciative sniff. It smelled the way all woodworking classes do: mostly of woodshavings, a hint of oil and glue and hot metal. "This is practical time you're wasting," she said when the noise level rose. "I don't want to see a lot of wandering about and chatting. Stay at your workstations!" Near the end of the lesson, Phil nudged his bench partner, Jay, who nodded at Ruben and winked at Ollie. Jay asked Ms. Garnett for help. Handsome and charming, teachers rarely refused him.
By L.C. Schäfer2 years ago in Fiction
Dave's Story. Top Story - October 2024.
Laney always was precocious. It was me that bought her the camera. Point and click! I never thought that she'd follow me with it. Why would I? To Laney and Bethan, I had a job that took me away part of the week, the life of a salesman. I never gave them any cause to be suspicious of me but thinking back now, there must have been something that I did or said to make Laney come after me.
By Rachel Deeming2 years ago in Fiction
276 The Struggles Behind Closed Doors. Top Story - October 2024.
There appears to have been a struggle. Something violent. Something had finally snapped. Something terrible. It must have been quite the commotion, but the sound clatter was over. The strikes and blows were over now.
By Gerard DiLeo2 years ago in Fiction
