The man at immigration inspected my documents, my bags and my very person in minute detail. Although disconcerting it was expected. I was their first. “It all seems in order. Welcome to Earth.” “Thank you.” “I saw the newscasts. Terrible tragedy.” “It’s regrettable dying so far from home and kin.” “That’s what I meant.” *** … Continue reading Echoes
Category: Short Story
Pictures of You
Death always smells the same. Yuichi adjusted her blue plastic overalls then picked her way between the fast food containers, betting slips and soiled laundry littering the floor to pull back the curtains and let in the Osaka morning. Another day, another cleanup, another invisible death. The sofa carried the indentations, dark stained upholstery to … Continue reading Pictures of You
Ahab
“Ticket 438 room one.” The P.A. floundered under the noise of the packed reception area. Sergeant Pat Blanchfield took the flimsy, pushed through the swing doors into the corridor. Five weeks until he called an end to a thirty year career and Captain Yasui had tied him to the front desk with six inches of … Continue reading Ahab
Once Upon a Time in the East
October in Vietnam is supposed to be relatively dry, but like everything else the country was trouble. Captain Dave Carvery disdainfully glanced from under the camo sheet serving as a hooch at the drizzle. Three days straight, just keeping it sticky enough to be uncomfortable. At least he could cool his heels here, sit back … Continue reading Once Upon a Time in the East
In Whose Name
She was terrified, wide eyes fixed on him, breath shallow, sweat across her brow. He leant closer, making sure she was secured to the pole. There was none to interfere or overhear in the crowded square, everyone keeping their distance perhaps out of respect, certainly out of fear. Brother Anteo steadied himself. “You understand why, … Continue reading In Whose Name
Sliver
It was a good landing, smooth and boring. Gordon released the hatch and stepped out, getting his first real view of the surface. Just as advertised, featureless and barren, an unbroken series of low mounds and shallow valleys carved in yellow-brown sand and rock. No buildings, no sign of any human habitation save the fused … Continue reading Sliver
Suicide Is Not Enough
She was stone, with none of the histrionics, tears or emotion that marked the other fault lines of a crumbling marriage. The earth had split asunder soundlessly, deliberately, and nothing would heal the breach. After making sure their son was safely buckled in Pat turned, wound down the window. “Its taken years but you’ve convinced … Continue reading Suicide Is Not Enough
A Little Knowledge
Errol Hasking held the clear plastic sleeve up to the lighting self-satisfied, feet on desk. A near flawless nineteenth century one-pound note nestled inside its plastic sarcophagus, a token of one more chip in the walls of the black economy from a thankful counterpart. Errol moved to the electrostatic wall and surveyed his team’s brag … Continue reading A Little Knowledge
Augmented
The tiles, in unmarked uniform antiseptic whiteness covering the floors and walls, added to the cold of the eyes behind the monitor. Alicia Sanz stepped to the floor, rapidly pulling on her dress and blouse partly to ward off the chill, partly to cover threadbare underwear. Hands guided her into a chair opposite those eyes, … Continue reading Augmented
Love is the Drug
Furniture of memory latex and plasteel; ceramics decorating walls and floors; windows of smart glass. A clean, harsh, efficiently depressing air bringing the silence of the tomb to the hospital. Emily and Tasha were with the specialist. The door opened and Dr. Heres motioned James inside, pointing to a solitary chair on the far side … Continue reading Love is the Drug
