The neighbourhood she grew up in was a harsh place, but she barely noticed. Maybe she was just lucky; maybe even the drug dealers and petty thugs recognised something of the magic in her and left her alone; maybe it was out of awe or respect for her sheer audacity or fearlessness that they let […]

Clara came slowly to consciousness from what felt like a long way away. As her vision cleared and she found herself standing over the bed with bloodied hands still clasping the shard of mirror, her first instinct was to check the clock. Ten minutes had passed, which left her at least ten more before Dale […]

He understood about security blankets, and had never been surprised that they weren’t called security trucks or security dolls. He had a small stuffed toy with a ribbon around its neck that, for all intents and purposes, went everywhere he did. This is not to say that he took it with him when going to […]

“The base is under attack! Send the new recruits to the gate!” “Sir?” “There’s a spy in the outer compound. Some of the guard dogs have been found dead.” “Just one spy, sir?” “Yes, Colonel. Is that a problem?” “No, sir, only… are we the bad guys, sir?” “What insubordination is this?” “No insubordination, sir. […]

Falling Blossom left the fluorescent strobe of U-Eat #2016 half an hour later. She had delivered the message. It had been an unpleasant task, but necessary. Who knew, maybe it would even be heeded. It was out of her hands, now. The blue glow from the towering sign poured down over her as she climbed […]

The clouds hung low over the mountain, clutching at leaves and thickening in hollows. The sun had dipped below the tree-line and, although light still bloomed across the sky, the darkness too was starting to gather in the hidden spaces. It seemed to seep up out of cracks and roots and spread in pools. Aiko […]

“It’s just unsettling, is all.” “Yeah, well, it’s not like there’s any alternative.” “I know,” said Lucas, “but that’s the point, isn’t it? All the major governments and religions have signed off on it being morally sound, but if the only other option was the extinction of the human race what the hell else were […]

It had started to snow again, and the boat was soon lost to their view. They climbed in a snow-globe, just the two of them and a short stretch of ladder fading out above and below. The ladder had black rungs and white rungs, arranged seemingly at random, and Peter accepted unquestioningly the fact that […]

“Have you heard about this new ‘red’ they came out with t’other week?” “‘Redd’? No, what’s that then?” “Our Karen’s new man bought a car on Friday, and it’s ‘red’!” “Oh, it’s a car, then? I don’t hold with cars me’self. I’m all walkin’, me.” “No, no, it’s not a car.” “I thought you said […]

At first, there was the drought. The first animals were arrayed over the vast plain, silent and still clay moulded and baking in the relentless sun. One day, before there even were days, Gecko opened its eyes to find itself alone amongst the lifeless masses. Nothing else stirred. Lonely as only the first or last […]