The two noble mountaineers, weighed down by their leathers and hoods and frost-encrusted beards, were less than an arm's reach apart and within touching distance of the summit; yet the brutal, howling, all-engulfing blizzard made both distances seem insurmountable. “Victor!” Dudley screamed over the torrent of snow, both his voice and parched lips cracking with … Continue reading May Microfiction Contest: Gold Winner: “Breadcrumbs” by Scott Tierney
May Microfiction Contest: Silver Winner: “The Vampire Child” by Oliver Kleyer
When the vampire hunter finally managed to break open the door and enter the tomb, the vampires had already abandoned it. Coffins were overturned; lids fallen to the floor. The hunter looked around. It seemed like there was nothing to do for him here anymore. Then he saw something move behind a coffin. Slowly, he … Continue reading May Microfiction Contest: Silver Winner: “The Vampire Child” by Oliver Kleyer
May Microfiction Contest: Bronze Winner: “Under the Moonglade” by Jacob Young
On the beach, we dreamed of our remains. In a millennium, would they find them? Would they find the ash moon in the sand where a fire once singed the peach fuzz on our cheeks, when we made believe we were troglodytes, our beer bottles wedged in dunes? They could trace our steps along the … Continue reading May Microfiction Contest: Bronze Winner: “Under the Moonglade” by Jacob Young
The planet of two Suns
By Erni-Szakács Szilárd I tossed the room key card to the receptionist. He caught it swiftly. „I hope you slept well," he told me without any intention. I shot him a glare. After the morning swim, a dull ache still wandered through my bones, like an echo of the night spent in a bed harder … Continue reading The planet of two Suns
Making a Difference
By Lewis Brett Smiler Mr. Erdofi could not recall how many millions he had donated over the past twenty years. However, there was no place where his philanthropy was more evident than his hometown. He had been honored numerous times for his local contributions, but not everyone was impressed. Wayne Thompson, an old high school … Continue reading Making a Difference
Bear the Pomegranate
By V.T. Wes When in contempt for the other, they will sit across from each other in an isolated room on leather sofas. The room is minimal in use. A radio fills the atmosphere with static as frost collects on the chilled window. A portrait hangs above each person, catching the little light melting inside. … Continue reading Bear the Pomegranate
Icy Prison
By Erni-Szakács Szilárd Icy Prison It was a bleak winter day. Just like every other day on Jarvistensaari, the even more northern island of the northern hemisphere. The island did not have too many inhabitants; it was home to only some children and their parents. Perhaps it was better that there were only a few … Continue reading Icy Prison
The Blank Page
By Steve Cristinzio Kevin is a writer. Kevin spends much of his time writing stories. Everywhere he goes, he carries a notebook with him in case inspiration strikes. Every so often, his stories turn out quite good. Sometimes they don't, though the quality of his work never mattered to him. He revels in the joy … Continue reading The Blank Page
Quick Harvest
By Donna Gum At the Orange Sparrow Grocers, Shanda saw with dread that the people in the blue and purple robes focused their attention on her. I don’t have any money for them. She felt uncomfortable. They collected donations about once a week. Thus far, Shanda had evaded them. As she neared the entrance, the … Continue reading Quick Harvest
Winter Deer
By Zary Fekete The town of Cokato is almost exactly halfway across the state of Minnesota on Highway 12. The name Cokato comes from a Siouan word meaning “amid”, helpful for orienting the original indigenous travelers across the territory many years ago before the railroad was built. Despite the encroachment of modernity, the land in … Continue reading Winter Deer
Academy of the Heart And Mind 