Boaz ran through his mental list. Thinking of something, he quickly went down the stairs and entered his home office. He shuffled the data files around on his custom kazinoir desk, barely noticing the deep blue patterns of the inlaid kyanite.

“You really are going, then?” Boaz paused and looked up. His cousin leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.

“Of course. She asked for my help.” He re...

When the sun sets and the blue fades to black,

I once again wonder, what is true love?

What it is that I lack?

I have tried to learn, to pick up the knack,

From when I hear the early song of the dove,

To when the sun sets and the blue fades to black.

What have I done, to be sent away with a smack?

That when I offer a smile, I receive a good shove?

What is it that I lack?

I’ll never wish upon an...

There is a place I go that only a few know about. It is quite a hike to get to, which deters all but the most adventurous. Or the most desperate. The path steep for my hoverboard, so I keep it folded in the pack slung across my back. And mag-cars break down if someone tries driving them past the city limits, so no use trying to use one of those.

It is important to wear the right shoes when climb...

As the sun dips lower to kiss the horizon a clear sound rings in the early autumn air. The sound is echoed by the varying tones of a multitude of bells swinging in their scattered towers standing sentinel across the land claimed by the castle town.

Although the work is not yet finished, those toiling in the fields and orchards immediately gather their tools and scurry towards the single open gat...

May I have a puppy, please?

A pretty puppy would be perfect,

Don’t you agree?

About the puppy, did I ask Daddy?

Tell him my dream of having a dog all my own?

What did he say?

No.

But please, Mommy, may I?

My puppy will have the bestest care,

I swear.

I will walk her and bath her and brush out her fur.

I will love her forever and ever, and ever and ever.

Please?

No.

…May I have a kitty, plea...

Screeching alarms echoed throughout the ship silencing all chatter on the mess deck. At the same time, the lights along the top and bottom of the walls turned orange and began pulsing in a steady pattern. What we heard next had us scrambling to our feet, meals forgotten.

“Alert! Alert!” The ship’s voice sounded over all comm channels. “This is a code orange! Alert! Alert! This is a code orange! U...

*Kelson, Drew, and Edith are seated on a couch playing a racing game. Ryan walks into room looking at his phone.

Ryan: Did you all know that there’s a place called Christmas Island?

Kelson: Do you mean the island with the giant heads?

Edith: That’s Easter Island.

Drew: There’s a Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean that was invaded by the Japs during World War Two. Is that the one?

R: No, th...

“Good morning Sam!”

“Good morning Miss Kim!” I waved to her as I walked by on my way to class. Then my brain registered what I was seeing and I halted mid-step.

“Decorating for Halloween, Miss Kim?” I asked even though the answer was obvious. She was busy rearranging the arms of one of the skeletons on her porch. Two were already set up, posed sitting at a table as if studying the game of chess ...

‘The hustle and bustle of a city that never sleeps.

The glimmer and glamour of lights always aglow.

Every day the same, every day a change.

What would I do…’

“Music off.” The mag-car’s computer complied as the autopilot maneuvered through the narrow streets. The pedestrians below barely glanced upwards as the car flew by. Its single passenger gazed past her reflection to watch the street signs as...

Once upon a time there was a great battle among the gods that almost destroyed the very world they created. On one side was Aetos, the great golden eagle. On the other was his younger half-brother, Typhon, the winged emerald serpent.

Both loved the world they created, full of varied lands and life. From the giants that lived among the tallest mountains to the denizens of the deepest seas, all wer...