We sit together in silence for what must be hours, until the sky is lilac above us and the lights have settled, the pool returning to normal. Even if the magic is gone, the area is still beautiful in the daytime. Massive blossoms rest among the leaves of the trees, and the fish are jewel […]
Beyond Nothing: Chapter Nine
The Umbra finishes speaking and we stand in silence, unsure of quite how to respond. Kea speaks first. ‘So you can’t… release some of the stolen colour, I suppose.’ ‘Oh, no.’ Says the Umbra, ‘That can only happen if I die. Which, by the way, if you can bring about, I would be very grateful. […]
Beyond Nothing: Chapter Eight
Once upon a time… All the good stories start this way. It’s a time-worn opening, proven to work. Once upon a time, there was girl. She was young. She was naïve. She was beautiful. She had all the things that mix together somehow to make a perfect fairy-tale character. She lived a in a bright, […]
Beyond Nothing: Chapter Seven
Kea glances around him, confusion evident on his face. Finding the location to be correct, he steps forward, picking up a clod of earth and throwing it at a tree in frustration, where it explodes into powdery soil. It occurs to me, later than it probably should, that he was never here. He rescued me […]
Beyond Nothing: Chapter Six
Kea pauses at the corner of the street, brows furrowing. ‘Didn’t you just have socks on before?’ I look down to my feet, encased in black trainers. ‘I don’t think so.’ He shrugs, and continues to walk. I have to run a little to catch up with him, my short steps no match for his […]
Viper: Chapter Five
Chase We run through the night. By the end, Viper appears to be sleeping on her feet, although I could run forever. My modifications make sure of that. The sun is pushing against the horizon, bright fingers of gold spreading across the sky. The forest melts into fields full of long grass, reaching to my […]
Beyond Nothing: Chapter Five
I wake an indeterminable time later, my eyes heavy with sleep. I feel compelled to rise, and do so. The curtains are open, and I glance out into the street, but the sky is bright with fire and I quickly look away. My feet stick on the floorboards as I pad downstairs, the sound echoing […]
Viper: Chapter Four
It’s a slow process. Over the days, supplies build up, piled in the cave. Food and medical supplies and useful gadgets, stolen over an extended period of time. I feed myself by hunting, as a fox or a hawk, chasing after small birds and rabbits. Each day, I have to hunt further from home. I […]
Beyond Nothing: Chapter Four
One chipped glass bead, glowing emerald under the pale lights, strung onto a thin silver chain around my neck. I was never the smartest kid. I didn’t do too well in school, however hard I tried. I knew I needed to – in order to follow my dream I would need a bachelor’s degree in […]
Viper: Chapter Three
Viper Sitting there, watching each other, the awkwardness is palpable. Neither of us know quite what to do next. He’s helped me; he’s fixed me up; what now? He coughs quietly, I think more to fill the silence than through the need to cough. Swinging onto heels, he unhooks the backpack, pulling it down to […]
Universe Unknown 