Category: issue 12

The four of them clustered in a round booth at a midnight diner. Danae stirred her steaming, black-as-pitch coffee with a long, manicured fingernail.

It’s only after Cloud’s funeral that we realise none of us can remember why we followed her in the first place. No-one, that is, except for Robbie. He stowed away, he claims, and kept a clear head. The rest of us? A drink, maybe two; compelling blue eyes; and the next thing we knew, we were on the ship. Contract signed. Memories hazy. Cloud renamed us, gave us each a job, and that was it. We were crew.

When the northwestern wind blows through the island, the shutters of the grand houses on Archbishop Street rattle like the tips of snake tails. Ships moored in the harbor moan at their anchors. The ancient capital city perched on top of the weathered limestone cliffs slumbers in a deep, dreamless sleep. There’s no light, save for the frantic beacon of the lighthouse, calling from the depths of the sea sailors of lost fishing boats.

The grassfire crept towards the granary. This one was worse than most; it got so big that the whole village together could do nothing but watch. Everyone’s grain, a whole year’s worth—for eating and for selling both—was about to go up in flames. 

I'm riding through space on my bike (as one does) when I see this enormous sunflower.

Being a demigod is very taxing for the psyche. You end up seeing things that aren’t there, killing things that aren’t there. Shh, it’s okay; it wasn’t your fault.

I'm not sure exactly how long it’s been April 11th. We had a guy in charge of keeping track until we realised he was just making it up whenever someone asked. It’s been April 11th for a very long time.

June’s missing and no one seems to care. No police report, no missing persons search, nothing. It’s been three months and her school should have sent a letter: a call, even. Mama and Baba haven’t noticed either. No one seems even curious why June hasn’t called, emailed, or even sent a letter. No one seems to know she’s missing except me.

Tap, tap-tap-tap, tap, tap-tap-tap… Chakra wanted to cover his ears, but that meant letting go of the paper in his hands. He had to keep reading so the tapping wouldn’t madden him

Bright, pale blue light dimmed over M-360’s head as she sat in a steel pew of the church. Around her, everyone else in her neighborhood sat in wait for the sermon.