Sometimes I wonder, if you believe something strongly enough, what’s the difference between that and reality? From this comes another, related question: If enough people — say, 100% of people — become convinced of the truth of something that was once untrue, does it then become true? I guess you probably think I’m talking about … Continue reading The Truth
Tag: Short Fiction
Abandon
He knew, even back when the first vestiges of his plan had begun to form in his head, that his students would not approve of his actions this night. Even Evran, whose willingness to push the boundaries of acceptability had led Colomb to end his apprenticeship, would have found his actions questionable. Normal people would … Continue reading Abandon
Becoming, Part XIII
Becoming, Part I Becoming, Part XII Rystala did not easily accept her fate. She screamed and cried for help, even as, from beneath her bed, she withdrew a sword. It took me by surprise, though of course I was not concerned. I would not have expected her to possess as word, let alone wield one. … Continue reading Becoming, Part XIII
The Other Kids
My mother used to walk to school when she was in elementary. I would never let my kids do that, not these days, but her mom thought it was safe. At first. My mom didn’t let me walk to school, either, but for completely different reasons. I asked her why, in elementary school, and all … Continue reading The Other Kids
Painting
“Sylvia?” “Just a minute. I’m almost at a place where I can stop.” “Okay, well, I’m ready to go.” “Oh.” “Tom and Corey are waiting.” “I know. I just... I feel like if I leave now, I’m going to lose my rhythm.” “We told them we’d be there ten minutes ago. We’re already late.” “We … Continue reading Painting
Cyrène
The knock at the door startled Leoth. He jumped. It was not an inherently frightening sound, and he was not one to be easily frightened, but people rarely, if ever, came knocking at their door. People almost never came knocking bearing pleasant tidings. People didn’t come this late at night, either. Baruch lifted his head … Continue reading Cyrène
A Good Day
On April 28th, 2017, Jerry Wilkinson had a good day. This may sound insignificant, but to him, it was not. It was the first time he remembered having and actual good day in a least seven years. Jerry did not think of himself as an unhappy man, but he was not a happy one. When … Continue reading A Good Day
To Be Happy
This is Callan’s house, and Niall does not live here, but by the way Niall commits himself to washing the dishes, you would not guess it. There is silence between the two for now, though Niall’s stiff, straight back and the angry vigor with which he scrubs the dishes, when paired with the defeated … Continue reading To Be Happy
Time Wasted
Yesterday, I sat down to each lunch after I finished writing for today. Today, I realized that I never came back and posted what I had written! Oops! Here's yesterday's post. From the fourth grade onward — or perhaps from a bit earlier than that; her younger years tended to blur together in her memory … Continue reading Time Wasted
First Flight
The first time Avery flew was in the dead dark of a winter night, while his mother and a good portion of the city were fast asleep in their warm beds. Trembling with the fear that his mother might awaken to discover him preparing to leave — or worse, that she would be awake when … Continue reading First Flight
Daydreams 