Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Humans.
A Minor Obsession
“Hey?” I whisper into the quiet darkness of the bedroom, “Are you awake?” He doesn’t answer. Asleep. His steady breath sounds strange and unfamiliar in the intimate ambiance of my bedroom. I poke my finger into his relaxed side and he jumps groaning to a sitting position. Whoops, maybe I poked too hard. “What do you want?” I think he is angry at me for disturbing the glow of his sleep but I say it anyway. “I want to talk.” He sighs, “God, Beth. You always want to talk. Can’t we ever just relax and enjoy some peace? Or sleep? Like people do at night?” Hurt, I turn my back to him pulling the blue blanket that my grandmother made for me up to my chin. “Never mind, then. Just go to sleep. Forget it.” And I deliberately turn some more so that my blanket pulls away, leaving him cold and I can feel him glare at my back. “Yes, I think I will.” He is really mad and he slams his feet down, probably waking the baby that sleeps in the apartment below me, and he stomps to find his clothes in the dark and he swears while he puts them on. He doesn’t say goodbye as he bangs the door shut behind him. I get up to lock it so nobody will come in and steal me. Then I jump back in my bed and pull my knees up to my stomach and nestle into the hollow left by his body. I press my nose into the silky pillowcase with embroidered flowers (Grandma again with the win) and it smells like I him.
By Shelly Slade3 years ago in Humans
Experience Life in Colour
When I met him, I was enamoured with the radiance of his smile and of the whiteness of his teeth. They perfectly complimented his skintone, a soft, caramel brown. I recall that it was a bright summer day in July. Flowers rich with vibrancy via bubbly pinks and pastel yellows, with accents of royal purple were in bloom. The crystal-like blueness of the sky complimented the leaves on the trees, and they shone like emeralds— it reminded me of days spent in science classes discussing chlorophyll and wavelengths, how so many more colours exist, but we are only given a pittance of what is visually possible. It was inconceivable that more colours existed outside of what I could see. This catalysed a fascination of collecting colours, as many variations, tones, and shades possible. Finding words to describe colours would became a mental exercise, “how would I describe the colour yellow to someone who has never seen it?” This eventually evolving into an appreciation of colour, as well as the experiences that words could create without having to say the word “yellow”.
By Emma Iizuka 3 years ago in Humans
Body Builder
Mathew Dean, short man with a slight build always had a deep affection for big bodies. The bigger the more beautiful. Being twenty-three, five foot three weighing in at one twenty-three Mathew always searched for ways to make his self bigger, if not in size then in stature. Photos of bodies he thumbed through developing a fetish for mounds of flesh. Stretch marks covering pounds on a corpulent cutie is what he loved to see. He saw their folded skin as his rotund canvas where he might create the most impressive masterpieces.
By Cam Rascoe3 years ago in Humans
Mayhem Manifested through the Makings of a Manic Meth Head
As a youth Robert was always disobedient and disrespectful. His single mother did her best to raise him right, offering him morals, values and spirituality. He rejected it all, always. He blamed her for his absentee father, never appreciating anything poor Cynthia did for him out of love for her only child. Curse, embarrass and disrespect his mother Robert did in the presence of his peers, family and authority figures. He didn't care what anyone thought. The boy was just a bad seed and eventually he would be uprooted from his comfortable existence once his mother grew tired of his abuse.
By Cam Rascoe3 years ago in Humans
Pink Musings
I remember the first time I allowed myself to wear pink. It wasn’t the first time I’d worn pink; after all, I was assigned female at birth in the mid-90s. Between first breaths and the first time I heard that something was “for boys” or “for girls”, I bet I wore every colour of the rainbow. I have no memory of those simpler times.
By Jennifer Black3 years ago in Humans
A New Friend
I live in a location that is far removed from the downtown city of Durango. Having only been here for roughly five years, I am still in wonder and awe by my surroundings – and all the wildlife that here. Through the mountains, the main road winds upward and eventually deposits a traveler into a land that looks very much like they have just been dropped off onto a movie set. It leaves most people speechless, and it is breathtaking to absorb the surroundings.
By Sara Elizabeth Walker3 years ago in Humans