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The Baboons of Mars
No one ever wanted to play catch on Mars. Nine-year-old Jasper trudged across the red sandscape, grumbling under his breath about boring adults and stupid baby sisters. Dad promised a game of catch. Why’d the colony’s generators have to break down today? ... Read More |
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Scars
Every scar tells a story.
Dark webbing still marks my shoulder from the day that bullets separated my squad from our company. The bleeding would’ve killed me if my comrades hadn’t bandaged it. But isolated from medical equipment, we couldn’t stop the scarring.
After days of wandering the Amazon I tripped, leaving a white slice across my stomach. A dumb wound. Not from a heroic battle with enemy soldiers or fleeing some hungry beast. I just got tired, so I fell.
Then came the jagged blossom encasing my thigh. Forever a vengeful red, as if still burning after all these years.
Some stories I’d rather forget. ... Read More
Every scar tells a story.
Dark webbing still marks my shoulder from the day that bullets separated my squad from our company. The bleeding would’ve killed me if my comrades hadn’t bandaged it. But isolated from medical equipment, we couldn’t stop the scarring.
After days of wandering the Amazon I tripped, leaving a white slice across my stomach. A dumb wound. Not from a heroic battle with enemy soldiers or fleeing some hungry beast. I just got tired, so I fell.
Then came the jagged blossom encasing my thigh. Forever a vengeful red, as if still burning after all these years.
Some stories I’d rather forget. ... Read More
Frozen Heart
The snowfall muffled the distant highway, and frosted autumn leaves still clung to their branches. Cody perched on the bench’s edge. His pug flopped into the carpet of snow at his feet. He watched Rachel’s fingers molding the handful of snow—clumsy and awkward. So simple, so ordinary. Magicless.
It was beautiful.
“How can you like me so much?” he blurted.
Rachel’s fingers stopped. She tilted her head towards him, brown curls framing her face. “For your information, I’m not ‘in like’ with you. Try ‘in love’.” ... Read More
The snowfall muffled the distant highway, and frosted autumn leaves still clung to their branches. Cody perched on the bench’s edge. His pug flopped into the carpet of snow at his feet. He watched Rachel’s fingers molding the handful of snow—clumsy and awkward. So simple, so ordinary. Magicless.
It was beautiful.
“How can you like me so much?” he blurted.
Rachel’s fingers stopped. She tilted her head towards him, brown curls framing her face. “For your information, I’m not ‘in like’ with you. Try ‘in love’.” ... Read More
Servant of the Tiger
"Can I see your scar?”
Makoto’s slender fingers brushed his palm. Outwardly, Ichirou remained calm, gaze still fixed on the white and orange coy fish drifting in the shallow pond below. But Ichirou’s breath caught in his throat. Electricity built on the flesh of his excited heart. This energy could’ve cast a dangerous spell in battle.
Ichirou turned to face her while his free hand fell in his pocket. His fingers grasped the cold ring hidden inside. “I call it a scar, but it’s a bit more than that.”
Makoto blushed then turned away, letting black hair fall in front of her face. “If it’s too personal…”
Ichirou hesitated. Ever since scratching the final stroke into his own shoulder, Ichirou had sworn himself to secrecy. But if he must share the burden with someone, he could trust Makoto. ... Read More
"Can I see your scar?”
Makoto’s slender fingers brushed his palm. Outwardly, Ichirou remained calm, gaze still fixed on the white and orange coy fish drifting in the shallow pond below. But Ichirou’s breath caught in his throat. Electricity built on the flesh of his excited heart. This energy could’ve cast a dangerous spell in battle.
Ichirou turned to face her while his free hand fell in his pocket. His fingers grasped the cold ring hidden inside. “I call it a scar, but it’s a bit more than that.”
Makoto blushed then turned away, letting black hair fall in front of her face. “If it’s too personal…”
Ichirou hesitated. Ever since scratching the final stroke into his own shoulder, Ichirou had sworn himself to secrecy. But if he must share the burden with someone, he could trust Makoto. ... Read More