A wonderful collection of stories by eighteen talented authors.
Living in a post-pandemic world isn’t easy, especially if you can’t remember your past. Sixteen year old Kara returns to the human world after living with wolves for eight years, in A. L. Kaplan’s “Wolf Dawn.”
“Congratulations, Mr. Baker. You’re officially cancer free. Welcome to the year 3015.”
I grabbed the doctor’s hand and pumped it up and down. Not bad for a recently thawed popsicle. My billion dollar investment to cheat death paid off. Now I’m healthy and far from my nagging ex-wife.
“Thanks doc. Check me out of here. I’m due for a double bacon cheeseburger and a walk on the beach.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Baker, but outside toxicity levels are inhospitable and the ingesting of animal products was outlawed years ago.”
“Aw, heck. Sounds like my ex’s heaven.”
“There’s also the matter of your bill,” said the doctor. “You’re going to have to work off the remainder as an indentured servant.”
“What?”
“Don’t be alarmed. Your basic needs will be met.”
“So I’m supposed to be some guy’s slave?”
“Only for fifty to sixty years.”
“That’s absurd. I’ll be dead by then.”
“Sorry, but you’re the property of New Life Incorporated until paid in full. The Long-Life serum will keep you young for many centuries. You should feel honored that the president herself requested you as her servant.”
“Well I won’t stand for it. I’m no one’s slave.”
The familiar clicking of high heels made the hair on my neck stand up. I spun around and stared at my ex-wife. She looked as young as the day I left. My heart pounded as she examined me through narrowed eyes. This was impossible.
“Well according to the law you belong to me.”
It seems that good news comes in happy little clusters. My poem, “Midnight Dance,” won honorable mention the Balticon 49 poetry contest and was published in this year’s BSFAN magazine. I had the pleasure of reading my poem at this year’s convention. Balticon is run by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society. (BSFS) See my recommended links for more details.
Earlier in the week I receive notification that my poem, “Aware,” was accepted for publication in Dragonfly Arts Magazine 2015. Dragonfly Arts Magazine is published by Hope Works. (Howard County Maryland Domestic Violence Center.) Check back soon for the link to a free copy.
After so much good news, how could there be more? Well, there is. Indies Unlimited 2014 Flash Fiction Anthology, which contains four of my short stories, is now available on Amazon as an E-book. A print version is forthcoming.
Happy writing Y’all.
My skin felt like over-cooked bacon. There was no water or food on this island, only a few spiny shrubs. Dehydration would probably get me first. Already my tongue felt thick and heavy. It would have been better to have drowned with the rest of the crew. Instead, I floated for days before washing up on this sandy deathtrap.
It was midday when I collapsed on the coarse sand. Something snapped in the scrubby growth. I opened my eyes. The sun hung low. I strained to hear past the steady crash of waves. Another rustle, even closer. Maybe it was something to eat. I scanned the landscape.
A dark shadow moved toward me. Two giant eyes peered from the darkness. Vertical slits reflected yellow in the failing light. My stomach twisted. To have come so far only to be eaten by a beast was fate’s ultimate cruel prank.
I forced my cracked lips open. “Make it quick.”
The beast towered over my prone body. Instead of death, furry arms scooped me up like a babe. I was too stunned and exhausted to fight. It carried me down a ramp into a bunker and place me on a bed.
“Catherine. We have a guest.”
Another creature appeared. “Poor thing’s dried out and terrified, Tom. Bring me some cactus juice.”
I sipped the offered juice and let my feline rescuers fuss over me. If this was a hallucination, it was a good one. If not, I’d have an interesting story to tell.
A.L. Kaplan is the readers’ choice in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge for “Claim Jumper.”
The winning entry is rewarded with a special feature here today and a place in our collection of winners which will be published as an e-book at year end.
A L Kaplan is the readers’ choice in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge with her story, New World.
The winning entry is rewarded with a special feature on their site today and will be published as an e-book at year end with the other 2014 winners.
Congratulations to A. L. Kaplan, whose entry “Blood and Ice” won this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge.
The voter-selected story was recognized with a special feature at Indiesunlimited.com and wins a place in there 2014 Flash Fiction Anthology, which will be published as an e-book when this year’s challenges are completed.