"You sure you want to go down this route?" Tony walked toward the massive desk in the center of the room. He flicked a switch, and a small flame ignited. The cigar in his left hand lowered into the sputtering fire, glowed, and smoked. He bent and puffed on the stogie until a thick cloud swirled around his head.
Read MoreElaine bent to pick up the rattle and placed it back into the crib with her newborn infant. Her mother scolded her that a newborn couldn't use a rattle, but she didn't care. Elaine had filled the crib with an assortment of stuffed animals and toys with pleasure.
Read MoreThe straps of the rough leather backpack were pulled tightly, securing a meager collection of tools and food supplies. At least the carving knife was sharp, and the compass was true.
Read More"My child lost her crayons!" The red haired woman's scream drowned in waves of noise. Her eyes were bloodshot and filled with terror. Her hair sprouted like neon red lightning bolts from their too-soon grey roots.
Read MoreThe phones all began to ring at the same time. His cell phone first, soon followed by his desk phone, and then the softphone installed on his laptop. An eruption of chirps and buzzes shattered the stillness of the morning.
Read More"Mary, go out there and ask them to quiet down. For goodness sake, some of us are trying to get work done."
Read MoreOn the main deck of the starship Galatron, Gerald Windsor peered into the swirling vortex. The visual display showed what the computer scanned and interpreted several parsecs in the distance. A plasma cloud rimmed black hole formation…
Read MoreHe was a man with nothing left to lose. The car was repossessed last Thursday. The plant sent him home three weeks before that without a word on when he was needed back. The divorce papers were in his mailbox (no surprise there) when he got home from fishing last month. He was a man with nothing left to lose.
Read MoreTony DeLorenta ran through the dark corridor in search of an exit. He stumbled up a flight of stairs. He fumbled with the handrail which was broken in several places. His foot crashed through the landing at the top of the staircase. All told, Tony was in a tough situation.
Read More"I don't stand at those disgusting things when I pee," Solomon Nguyen shouted over his shoulder. His friend Andy Smith approached the urinal on the wall to relieve himself. Water splashed and Solomon began his exposition on the cleanliness of public restroom facilities anew.
Read MoreA lone wolf howled at the approaching night when Andrew noticed a strange log covered with a clear glistening film. The three hikers searched for firewood in the high alpine desert grove by Hellroaring Creek. The backcountry campsite was reserved for one night, the only time they had available for each other.
Read MoreA strong wind blew through the open window, and toppled the dead potted plant. The rolling terra cotta pot knocked over a half empty bottle of beer. And the two went over the edge of the kitchen table with a crash. A lightning bolt tore through his brain without remorse or forgiveness.
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