What You Ate Eats at You by H.L. Fullerton is the Syntax & Salt Fall Flash Contest 3rd place winner. Arden thinks she has a problem—and she does—but it isn’t the one she actually has. Right now, she’s in her office, squeezing a rubber ball so hard it looks like an aneurysm about to pop. … Continue reading What You Ate Eats at You by H.L. Fullerton
“Alice moving under skies…/ Ever dreaming down the stream…”– Through the Looking Glass Alice L. Dodgson was the first human sent to explore Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. She was chosen because she was a brilliant mathematician, had dark hair, and ranked highest in her class … Continue reading Singularity Alice by Lorraine Schein
Marcia, Tobias, and Amanda eat at La Bodega every August twelfth, calling in their reservation months in advance even though it’s never busy as most people don’t seem to want to commemorate the day that everyone lost something. But Marcia, the ringleader, who makes sure the hostess on the other end of the line knows … Continue reading Mourners by Joe Baumann
In the long sleep between home and Earth, Ve dreamed in song. She dreamed of percussions that sounded like war, of lilting chants so like her own lullabies. But most of all, she dreamed of the dun-dun-dun-DUN. When others would describe the images found on the disc, they would set the record to play the … Continue reading Earth Music by Jennifer Lee Rossman
Dear Madam, I must apologize for the lengthy break in our correspondence prior to this letter. With the death of Councilman Yamazaki under such bloody circumstances, I felt it best to avoid attracting notice for a while. However, I have not been idle after Yamazaki’s passing. Indeed, I have learned of an even graver danger … Continue reading Blood-Stained Letters Found in a Roadside Shrine on the Outskirts of Kyoto by Stewart C Baker
The room was quiet as they cut the cake. Alternating tiers of lemon and vanilla buttercream, sponge infused with rosewater. Carolyn was careful not to smear too much frosting on his nose, probably fearing he would retaliate with equal force and God-forbid some got on her dress. It was an immaculate white, lace handmade by … Continue reading Belong to Me by Rachel Harrison
After the first night, he finds it a little hard to walk to his car. This is partly because he wants to go back immediately and kiss her again and again and again but: he feels slightly off-balance, giddy. He drives home with both hands on the wheel, 10-and-2. At home, he takes off his … Continue reading Piece by Piece by Sean Woznicki
By far the best age is seven, when the summer grass grows around splayed fingers and each winter breath forms little clouds that morph into animals and pirate ships. When your older cousins watch with barely masked envy as sparks fly from your fingertips and pigtails as you spin. You show off for the little … Continue reading Seven by Sarah Krenicki
Contest is now CLOSED. Fall is my favorite season. I look forward to it from the moment it ends, winter descending, until the first real cold snap overnight in August, signaling imminent fiery return. For me, fall is often a brief season, and feels as if its glory is expansive, intensified as a result of … Continue reading Fall Flash Contest – CLOSED
Such a long, important day you had, sweet Tony. Your birthday. You’ve had cake, ice cream, and wishes. The presents are open, pretty wrappers shredded and tossed. Many people love you, Tony. Didn’t you like my present? Didn’t notice it? Of course you wouldn’t. What with the bike and the game system, the piles of … Continue reading Nine Little Rabbits, All in a Row by Donna J. W. Munro