A withered old man sat in a large velvet-covered chair a blanket over his lap and cat nestled in one arm as his other arm rested on the chair’s long boney gem-encrusted fingers tapping the ornate hand rest. He had an old pair of spectacles and long dishevelled hair over an antique-looking smoking jacket. Stood the opposite him behind a desk another old man stood, with short grey hair, a monical and a brown suit,…
Towards the end of the twenty-first-century humans were still bound to earth, a lack of energy and easy means to produce it meant that only a few nation-states possessed enough to make life comfortable for their people, while the rest could only dream, and fight for the ability to duplicate that life. As a result warfare was a constant feature and it felt too many that war had become a way of life, powerful nation-states…
After he pulled the trigger the man in a lab coat collapsed into the chair blood pouring from the gaping wound, his face already a twisted monstrosity twisted further by agony the gun he had been wielding spun across the floor. The Detective stood opposite, face emotionless as he pointed his hand cannon at the crumpled figure. A Magnum Max, 3 cartridges each big enough to take out an elephant. Something that may be of…
“Concordia Base, this is the Constellation, we have joined the line.” The vast warship joined the throng of others moving to intercept an enemy of immeasurable strength. “Data received, good luck Constellation.” “All carriers, deploy fighters” Bright blue streaks launched from the gargantuan space hulks, a seemingly endless stream of death. “All forces, this is Grand Admiral Global, we stand at the end of time, the end of our world, we all know that there…
“Coor sure is raining out there.” The short-haired girl mocked as she pocked at his sodden coat and newspaper a mischievous sparkle in her eye. “You noticed?” The dripping wet chap asked slightly agitated while he placed his newspaper on the table, the stern-looking guy handed him a steaming cup of coffee silently. “Sure did, I’m a bright spark me!” She chuckled and took a bite of the doughnut in her off-hand while her other…
“You kids think you know stuff? Fresh out of boot camp stinking of perfume! Thinking you’re gonna teach that ravenous swarm a thing or two about your big guns from over the water, built in the land of free? You’re gonna be saviours of the whole fucking race? Makes me laugh. I remember when I was just like you. Cocky and full of spunk and vinegar just chomping at the bit to get my bit…
Two figures stand in the doorway of a run-down cafe, rain whipped sideways by the ferocious winds roaring through the streets. Red stained clouds race across the sky obscuring the stars and moon that must hide beyond, howling swallows up the night sounds, trees that dot the side of the road yaw as if to breaking point their branches clawing into the darkness, shadows dance and leaves, plastic bottles and crisp packets swirl relentlessly in…
He stood before his dresser mirror, then looked down at the photo of his wife and son. He’d taken the photo: broad smiles on their faces. He couldn’t remember where he’d taken the picture, only that he had. Every once in a while, he felt like he was about to remember. A picture of him wearing a military uniform, bold and proud. He opened the side-drawer and glanced down at the revolver. He picked it…
The dead? The dead… well they don’t die anymore, just slowly waste away. If they’re lucky maybe they can have a volshebnik use their dark arts or some taytakura prey to some unseen fiend to stop their body from rotting and existing in a state of agony until they break down to dust. Of course in some parts the dead that don’t die are hauled into fires and burnt, unlive, screaming and kicking until they’re…
Naomi Wilding, Senior Student at St Authors Academy Missing for 3 months. Unstable family home Reported delinquency Body found buried in the garden. Brain missing. Empty cavity used as kind of plant pot for a flower. Flower not previously catalogued. Charlie Bird, Junior Student at St Authors Academy Missing 11 weeks Part of Miss Wilding’s friendship group Single parent household Truent Body found buried in the garden. Similar state to Miss Wilding. Hanna Smith, Senior…