Category Archives: Flash Fiction

“Upgrade” by Trey Dowell  Twenty-five years of renting cars had taught Hector Ramirez many things that were often true. A smile costs nothing. Service matters. The customer is always right. It had also taught him one thing that was always … Continue reading →

“Caveat Emptor” by John Haas “Let the buyer beware,” a hoarse voice croaked from behind. Richie spun, searching for the source. “H…hello?” He’d entered this shop—which he’d never noticed before even though he passed this way at least twice a … Continue reading →

“Thief of Souls” David A. Gray We ambushed the aliens as they took a boy’s soul in their Beijing game preserve. The hunters were focused on their prey, certain there were few humans on Earth still sentient, let alone capable of harming them. They … Continue reading →

“Birthday Card” by Jess Leigh Unrein Every girl lived in anticipation and fear of going to see The Oracle on her birthday. Some parents would take her when she could barely walk, shuffling her into the private receiving room with … Continue reading →

“Teeth of the Lion” by Jennifer Shelby “I’m half dandelion on my father’s side,” he told me, catching a sunbeam as it trickled through the forest and weaving it between his fingertips. I nodded and hoped he wouldn’t notice the … Continue reading →

  “The A to Z of First Contact” by Gareth D Jones   Advance planning. As a Captain of the Exploration Guild, a First Contact situation is almost inevitable at some point in your career. Plan now for how you … Continue reading →

“Binary Star System” by Phoebe Wood I remember being her: the girl on the other side of the observatory ballroom, starlight combing past her skin. Her hair’s the color of rose quartz, a tousled spray chopped below the jaw. When … Continue reading →

“Meteor Man” by Mike Adamson   When I was a child, I saw a meteorite come down. It was a blazing streak in the night sky, then a concussion that hurt my ears, and next morning my Dad and I … Continue reading →

“Stars and Stones” by Paula Hammond In this flat land, nature is our constant companion. On wild days, visitors become flesh-bows, spines curved, heads arrowing forwards through the buffeting turmolt. There are mornings when fog-shrouds hover like kestrels, and all … Continue reading →