Author: Carew Bartley After the dusty, scorching heat of the Via Flaminia, I looked forward to the cool silence of the tomb I had read so much about before my trip. Originally buried in a Central Italian necropolis, the tomb had been assiduously reconstructed in the ...

Author: Stuart Watson Overtime became mandatory. The “client” (no one knew who, whether nation or corporation or social medium) had insisted that they move their original deadline forward. Something about a solution to climate change. Ben told Phil and the others about the ...

Author: Bill Cox “And so, we commit their earthly remains to the vastness of space and we ask and pray that their brave souls be granted the peace and tranquillity that they so richly deserve. Amen.” The two astronauts, standing in the open airlock, pushed the sealed ...

Author: Chana Kohl With my blade’s edge poised and a steady hand, I watched a decade of locs fall into the sink. A military uniform, once diligently maintained, hung lifeless in a closet. A soft tunic slid across my clean-shaven head, worn over jute trousers, and cinched, ...

Author: Julian Miles, Staff Writer “Read for me the writing on the wall.” We bow our heads and recite the words writ high above, engraved deep into unyielding stone. We have no need to see them, having recited the Second Law every morning and evening since the first day we ...

Author: David Henson I motion toward the two interns. “You can all come in now.” Unpronounceable frowns at me. “I mean, both of you,” I say. The three enter my office. The two students leave after I give them their assignments. “You need to be more careful,” ...

Author: Alfred C. Airone I awoke in completely unfamiliar surroundings, not remembering having gone to sleep. There was someone else in the bed with me. I turned and saw her: cropped copper-red hair, perfect face, lips slightly parted, still asleep. I recognized her ...

Author: Ruby Zehnder "We can't afford a flex pet," she replied sharply. Ben said nothing. He knew she was right, but it didn't matter. This wasn't about money. "I'd love for Addie to have an emotional support pet, but--" she stopped speaking and wept. Ben took his young ...

Author: Majoki The last repairman sat in his cramped booth at the nano-mall. He hadn’t had a customer in months. Around him shoppers scurried with their latest purchases micro-manufactured in neighboring stores. The last repairman looked at his hands which should’ve been ...

Author: Michael Edwards The Introduction. “He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know.” — Lao Tzu As for me, it may sound rather grand, but I am called a seventh degree master of The Mountain Pathway tai chi ...