Normal Life

The hairdresser with a comb in between her teeth, mumbled, “Hey, Maxie, be with you in a few minutes.”

The hum of the blow dryer and the loud chatter filled the room with an abundance of life. Women flipped through magazines while waiting, and the owner turned on the television to the game show channel.

I went over to the coffee machine and made myself a cup. Steam rose and I sniffed the heat while sipping the hot liquid that warmed my insides.

I hadn’t been out in months with my treatments, and it felt great being around normalcy again.

From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher

Song Of The Absurd

Simon, the court jester, pranced across the oval flagstones, drawing sneers from the many important personages in attendance. They found his antics both annoying and embarrassing, and wondered why the king tolerated him.

Just last week, Lord Bulworth had insinuated, in the most polite tone, that perhaps his majesty had been ill-advised when he ordered the Naval attack against the Kingdom of Flavina. He was beheaded before sunset. Yet Simon was allowed to hurl all manner of insults against the King's most trusted advisors.

When the royal order for the next purge came, Simon was the only one to survive.

Necessities

My sister thrives on sunshine. She says it lifts her spirits and gives her hope.

I try to avoid the sun, or any bright light.

The other day a flickering light spun my head. I screamed uncontrollably. It took me a while to calm down after the lightbulb was replaced.

I’ve learned to find contentment in being alone. At sunset I go out to kick around a soccer ball in the backyard. It frees me of life’s burdens. It lifts my spirits, gives me hope.

Doubt my sister will ever understand. Few people do, what it’s like to have autism.

From Guest Contributor Krystyna Fedosejevs

Graves

The buildings stood empty, monoliths etched by lichen and rust, each one a decaying monument to a forsaken past.

Dr. Niemann and his team surveyed the remains from the safety of their hazmat suits. Acquiring the grant money for their investigation of Old New York had taken more than a year. No one wanted to know what had happened. Perhaps out of fear it might happen again.

The surveyors delayed entering as long as possible. But the initial measurements and data tracking were complete and the time had come to learn why ten million people had all died at once.

Powerful

After finishing his breakfast, Frodo sat by the kitchen recliner, begging for some of Ralph's. Any closer, and the Labrador would've been in his owner's lap. Ralph wondered if the dog considered him an all-powerful being, miraculously dishing out kibble each morning. Soon Ralph would be at his Uncle Frank's dry cleaning business, and no one considers dry cleaners to be all-powerful, although they can easily crush buttons. Frodo drooled on Ralph's crotch, as he thought – What the hell, let him imagine he's a superior being for a moment, as long as he tosses me some of that poppy-seed bagel.

From Guest Contributor David Sydney

Mountain

Eons ago I was born in a cauldron of lava and steam. When I finally cooled off, tectonic plates shifted, lifting me upward thousands of feet. The ages passed and I was molded by the rain, wind, and cold. Eventually I was dressed in vegetation and scarred by rivers. My face has developed wrinkles and I have shrunk. Through the geological ages I have looked down upon a parade of flora, sea creatures, and mammals.

Modern man sends in his bulldozers, cuts down my trees, and mines my ores. Despite this, I will be here long after they have gone.

From Guest Contributor Janice Siderius

Life In The Country

A rainbow fills the sky with blue, yellow and red colors, the vibrancy a sign it’s going to be a beautiful day. The birds chirp and soar above, their wings spread, adding to the calm of the setting.

I have the blanket and picnic ready for when he arrives, and the delicious aroma of fried chicken and ribs make my mouth water.

I throw pieces of bread into the pond for the ducks as they quack, swim, and cool in the water.

I left the city for the tranquil life of the country and I don’t regret it.

Not ever.

From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher

Captain

The captain’s mother decided to prepare her son for a watery death. She took the boy to the seaside and held his head underwater. The captain screamed and thrashed, for the Mer people mocked him. They said you’re a Man O’ War: a floating bag of gas. But then the captain fell in love with the Mer king. One day when his mother held him under, he made to kiss the king. The king accepted his kiss by filling the boy’s lungs with water. Then he approached the mother and said, “I will be your captain.” “I accept,” she said.

From Guest Contributor Jeremy Nathan Marks

The Fade

The village of Walter's Blessing has been abandoned for more than two decades, ever since The Fade.

No one talks about The Fade. Occasionally, out-of-towners in the vicinity will visit with all kinds of stories, asking about what really happened. The locals know to keep their mouths shut.

The truth about The Fade is too awful to contemplate. Not only because no town should have to suffer what Walter's Blessing suffered. What is truly frightening is that the same thing is happening to hamlets, townships, and settlements all over the country. If you aren't careful, your home might be next.

Tempting Flavors

He tempted her with a single scarlet rose. Enchanted by its silky petals, she fell in love. When a thorn pricked her finger, she shied away. He tempted her with ripe raspberries. Delighted by tart nectar, she fell in love. When the berry’s cane scratched her skin, she shied away. He tempted her with an apple. Charmed by candied sweetness, she fell in love. When she discovered it was a forbidden fruit, she shied away. She tempted him with fermented flavors of rose, raspberry, and apple. Seduced by her ingenuity, he fell in love, and they drank happily ever after.

From Guest Contributor Elizabeth Murphy