Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Humans.
On the Fringes: The Waves
“Kelsey, I am not like you. My life’s led by the passions of now and the monotony of work just isn’t for me”, Mobley shuffled into the rain, raising an umbrella over his crimson head. Kelsey stood in the doorway admiring his redness – his hue an eternal blush, and his heart a fiery blaze. Mobley turned back and locked eyes with Kelsey, extending his umbrella slightly to cover the dead space between the brick storefront and the sidewalk. Offering a curt laugh in apology, Kelsey stepped down into the sanctuary of the translucent covering. Cinnamon was still on Mobley’s breath, and the smell melted Kelsey’s heart as they turned back towards for whence, they came. He’s one to talk about monotony, they thought, after all I know no one else that has such a rapid and persistent rhythm. As the space between the two warmed, and they watched Mobley silently, Kelsey thought, this is why I have friends.
Nadir SherrodPublished 3 years ago in HumansThe Moleskine
Ron raised his right hand to his mouth, meticulously nibbling at each nail before turning his attention to the left. He didn’t know whether it was the race or the knowledge of what was waiting for him at home that was having this effect on him.
Josh PowellPublished 3 years ago in HumansThe bus ride.
“Next stop, Sunset Boulevard & Irving Street.” repeated the recorded voice, cutting through the low hum of morning talk and eager taxis shooting by. It always had sounded too good to be true, Luca thought. Anyone who chose to include “Sun” in the name of a place was asking for trouble. But then again you couldn’t fault them for avoiding the more honest option of “Fog Boulevard”.
Cam HendersonPublished 3 years ago in HumansFelicia’s Interview
Felicia was somewhat of a maths prodigy. Actually, somewhat does not do her justice. Throughout her childhood, she found solace in numbers (and later algebra), which became her trusted friends and a way to escape the challenges of growing up as a girl in rural Ghana. Whether it was the death of her father or witnessing her mother struggle to feed Felicia and her sisters, maths powered her on with an infectious smile. She counted herself lucky – she did not experience the extreme poverty that was so widespread across the country and the continent, but it was not the upbringing you and I would have had. After winning countless mathematical awards and trophies and completing a degree at Ghana’s most prestigious university, she was awarded with a full scholarship to complete a PhD at the University of Sheffield, UK. She completed her 3-year PhD programme in just over a year.
Ever Yours, Rosalie
"-dead." "She's dead." My eyes close as the words echo in and out of each ear, repeating over and over incessantly, distorting more with each loop. Like the mosquito that stubbornly chases after the glowing light of your phone-screen at 3 AM, the doctor standing in front of me refuses to let me ignore them. But the only reason that mosquito got inside was because I left the door cracked and the only reason I left the door cracked was because the summer heat was getting to me and I still hadn't gotten around to getting a new AC unit after the last one died rather abruptly. I meant to get around to it but just figured I could get along fine and if I really needed one the world would find a way of getting me one. She always said I was waiting for the world to fix my broken pieces, I never thought she would end up being one of them.
Marina SaigePublished 3 years ago in HumansLittle Black Book
Ivy made herself a coffee and began cleaning her apartment from the night before. She tidied the papers on her coffee table so she could sit and read her morning newspaper. She discovered a leather-bound black book. She knew this was not hers and assumed it had been left by someone the night before.
Jenna JonesPublished 3 years ago in HumansUnlocking the Illusion
My pawn shop exists at a junction where reality is threaded with magic. To regular customers, it's just a store. To special clientele, it's a place to purchase items that arrive from another dimension. These special things have a distinct vibrancy, a definite glow, that makes the world around them appear old, faded, and worn. These items get put in the glass case under the till.
Robin JamesPublished 3 years ago in HumansOff the Dock
The water on the lake was smooth as glass when Gabby and her husband Ben made their way down to the shoreline to fish. The plan was to waste some time while waiting to meet up with Ben’s crazy family for a laid back action packed afternoon and evening. The week long founding celebration the town put on each summer was something she always looked forward to. Even before she got married. Somehow after she and Ben got together it became tradition to spend the day with his family at the lake and fight over which spot to anchor the boat from to have an optimal view of the fireworks. It was honestly one of her favorite annual traditions. There was also the festival food which could be found in various spots around the lake and in the last couple years, on food boats floating in between. The food consumption may be regretted tomorrow. Or not. Because festival food is delicious, evil and should be enjoyed to the fullest when one faces it. Gabby was prepared to take the hit when the time came.
Kerry LettelleirPublished 3 years ago in HumansSarah's Impact
“I’m coming to see you.” Part of me worried I’d never get to say those words. I fiddled with the hole in the sleeve of my grey blazer. For months, I’d been trying to save enough money, but it wasn’t easy on a receptionist’s salary.
Sophie CoghlanPublished 3 years ago in HumansThe North Room
Today marks two years. Five seconds in through the nose. Seven seconds out through the mouth. Repeat 10 times. I hear the voice of my therapist in my head. Let’s do a grounding exercise. Pay attention to your senses starting from your toes all the way up to the top of your head.
Amy CarlsenPublished 3 years ago in HumansPlease Say I Love You
Rays have flooded into the space, spreading over the little green sofa and illuminating the coffee table. I don’t know how long now I’ve been sitting here and watching the sun rays grow longer and spread across almost half of the room.
Suffering: The Series (Intro)
Back in 2015, 22 year old me chose the subject of pain as focal point for my senior thesis, entitled "The Gain of Loss: The Benefits of Suffering." Recently, I decided to dig up the 24 page analysis of the universal experience of pain from the archives of Google Drive to critique my navigation of the topic, which leaned very heavily on the works of Viktor Frankl and his insights within his book Man's Search of Meaning."
Alicia SummersPublished 3 years ago in Humans