Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Humans.
An Emperor's Request
On August 15th following the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki the Emperor asked Japan to endure the unendurable. Ten minutes later my commanding officer, Kenji Takagawa assembled us in the main lecture hall. He openly wept as he announced that we had failed in our duty to protect Japan. “Japan’s shame is our shame. The defeat lays on our shoulders.” Then he recommended us all to return to our families and try to rebuild our shattered lives. All of us stood there stunned as he quietly returned to his office. From the lecture hall we watched through his office window as he drew his service revolver, put the short gray barrel in his mouth and pulled the trigger. As chief medical officer on base I was required to examine him, and fill out the death certificate.
By Steve B Howard3 years ago in Humans
7 Days
Cold. This body is so cold. So many things hit me at once. In addition to the cold, I feel extreme hunger, something smells rancid, and someone is poking my arm. Tentatively, I open my eyes. The person standing over me seems pleased – I’m not sure whether it’s because I’m awake or because he thinks he’s responsible for reviving me. The younger man smells bad, but I think I’m the one who smells rancid.
By Julie Lacksonen3 years ago in Humans
Gemini Szn
You know how Aristotle said the gods separated us into two so we’d be less powerful? They failed with you. You are whole in one (haha! Bad pun.) Your ex boyfriend might’ve told you you were difficult to love, and we can’t say whether he was right, but you have love - are love - twice as much as most people can handle or fathom - in your own multitudes, so maybe he can keep screwing his side chick while you work on remembering the love you have in and for yourself.
By Madison Trice3 years ago in Humans
Letting Go
I remember my granddaddy saying, “Austin, boy every generation needs a war to define itself. This one’s yours. You go on and sign up now. You’ll come back a man or you’ll die a hero.” The coroner told me your suicide looked like a Jackson Pollock done in gray matter. You said you would been a painter if ‘Nam hadn’t of fucked you up. Fitting you were also the bastard that told me Hitler wanted to be a painter too.
By Steve B Howard3 years ago in Humans
Hapsley the Bird Hunter
The music throbbed, then pounded, then backfired into some sort of Indian Techno Disco hybrid. It was deceptively black inside the club. The walls, the ceiling, the bar, and most of the patrons were painted, or tanned in darkness. The deception was created by the lighting. Spinning light rainbows, white lightning flashes, and sparkling blue strobes puked out of the ceiling mounted special effects system and blended sickenly with the music. The net effect was a severe warping of ones senses and discretion.
By Steve B Howard3 years ago in Humans
Our Brand, Our Relationship!
If you have been in a relatively long-term relationship the chances, are you have experienced some highs and lows. Although it's nice to think that you have someone with you who is on the same wavelength and is somewhat in sync with your values, the reality is we all change. The person you found yourself to be the most compatible with once upon a time is now the person whom you wish to understand better. We can't make life easier and we're not responsible for each other's happiness. We do however need to respect each other and honor our devotion and commitment. If you're not coping your partner deserves to hear that. When we don't communicate, we tend to jump to conclusions and look elsewhere for an explanation. The last thing you want your partner to do is to blame themselves simply because they have no other explanation.
By Fringe Mellow3 years ago in Humans
Memories of the Big L
Remember that night well, clear as a spring sunrise in Montana. Slim kept buying ’em until I was under the table. Woke up the next day back in my bunk at the ranch with the worst hangover of my life. Haven’t been able to say his name since. Just call him the Big L in my mind.
By Steve B Howard3 years ago in Humans
Let's Talk About It: Casual Dating
I have always been a hopeless romantic, wearing my heart on my sleeve, falling for everyone that comes my way, gave me a compliment and a bit of attention. I have always been in serious relationships, long-term relationships, and anything that resembled a stable relationship, but recently I have been dating a man that has asked to casually date me, and it has thrown me off my game. I didn’t know exactly what he was asking for, I didn’t know what it meant to casually date, on top of that, he said that he didn’t want to worry about “titles”. Being told this was something unusual, something new, and quite confusing, so I started looking into it. I went onto my social platforms (Reddit and Twitter) to get a better idea of what I had gotten myself into, and I received many different responses. I wanted to write about it because I know many people like myself are curious about the subject.
By Carla SofiiLove Garcia 3 years ago in Humans
For fellow Geminis
As we approach Gemini season, those born under the sign of the twins stand at the precipice of greatness. Fellow Geminis should remember not to let the overwhelming nature of possibility prevent them from progress. Do not be afraid to seek what you desire. Fear of failure and other people’s opinions may loom over you but cannot define you. It may seem easier to let them prevent you from trying, to give up on dreams that feel impossible or unrealistic, but you will regret never giving your aspirations a chance. Not trying is the only way to guarantee failure. Even if you have to redefine success in relation to your goals, taking small steps ensures progress. Any momentum in the right direction is something to be celebrated.
By Clara Jennings3 years ago in Humans
It's something to share!
I’ve been a writer for as long as I can remember. At the tender age of seven, I wrote stories called The Evil Apple, Killer Babysitter, and How I tied my shoe with spaghetti. Sure, the stories were three pages long, full of grammatical errors, and made no sense, but they were proof that I was a natural-born writer.
By Rayna Scott3 years ago in Humans
Bone Splinters and Booze Vapors
Old Zenard used to say, “Never throw a damn punch when your so tanked you’re seeing double, Too numb to feel the impact.” Should have taken his advice. Wouldn’t be using a rusty pair of needle nose to pry Burpie’s tooth out of my knuckles right now if I had. Didn’t even know I’d slugged him till I came to this morning.
By Steve B Howard3 years ago in Humans