-
“Reality’s Shelf-Life” by J.T. Hamilton
She died with a virtual reality headset strapped to her face. Jaw agape, cheeks sunken, polygonal patterns of crystallized sweat stuck to the fabric of her clothes. Her body was splayed out on an undressed mattress. A ceiling fan wobbled above. It was hot. Real hot. Alabama mid-summer-sun-expected-to-implode-this-decade hot. Scattered around the mattress, small plastic…
-
“GROWING SWIRLING CLOUDS” By Thea Boodhoo
“Mark died yesterday, Margery.” My tone was patient, sad but not distraught. The time for distraught was past, I thought. “Coral, don’t joke about those things. He was right here a few minutes ago.” I found a serious expression in my database and displayed it for her. “It’s not a joke, Margery. He left us…
-
“Science news: Octopuses came to Earth from space as frozen eggs millions of years ago” by Caroline Grand-Clement
(after an article by Ciaran McGrath in Express) i am too colorful for their fragile eyes so i hide in empty vases, shapeshift into silent pride. they have called me too complicated on eight different occasions & eight times i have screamed back coward. afraid of what they cannot figure out they have broken my…
-
“WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE GREAT FISH CAME GNAWING?” by Cavin Bryce
The Earth existed then as one all consuming ocean spotted with a single island near the equator. It was a thin strip of sand only four feet in length at its widest point, but warm and soft so the native boys never complained. The sky was only ever perfectly covered in thick, morphing clouds. It…
-
Walmart World Heritage Site by Wes Bishop
In the distant future, a Walmart in Cleveland, Ohio is a World Heritage Site. It is at an excavated and preserved location where people vacation and teachers march their students to see how their ancestors lived. A reenactor, blue vested and labeled “How Can I Help You?” greets the crowds like a jovial clown. They…