When you see two people fucking, with a capital F—really sharing the spoils the way it should be—who cares if the Company has gathered at three o’clock on a Monday to hear the top dog give his all-hands spiel? You look, godammit, and you probably laugh. That’s the human thing to do.… more
Category Archives: FICTION
UFO Welcome Center
FICTION by Kim WeldinShe felt like she’d been folded up and stuck inside herself like a piece of origami. Like she was an empty shell, inhabiting someone else’s body the Earth, and attempting to exist like a normal human. Maybe she’d lost her autonomy. Maybe an alien had taken over her body and she didn’t realize it until now but it was too late to regain control.… more
Child Zombie
FICTION by Maliha MannanHow does one become a zombie? Hmm. All of us have unique stories, but one way or another, we end up losing our homes and possessions, so we take to the streets. Street life is hard. Some zombies get better, their situations reverse, but most of us keep getting worse. Our memories fade, speech gets slurred. It’s a common story, really. There are more of us around than you think.… more
The Feminist
FICTION by Läilä ÖrkenHe called out sexism and misogyny everywhere; occasionally even in his own family. Once, he stunned his mother by explaining how she had been the victim of domestic abuse. “You don’t understand,” he told her. “Father manipulated you into thinking you wanted to stay home. That was his way of keeping you under control. He was a textbook emotional abuser.”… more
On the Architecture of the Divine
FICTION by Steve PasseyThere is, in an anthill, a logic, an architecture, beyond what humans can conceive of. The ants, without thought, build from the order in their souls placed into them by the divine.… more
Jeffrey Aldeen
FICTION by Lloyd Alimboyao SyThe tabloids liked to point out his “shining good looks.” What good looks he had indeed. His smile was not quite natural—by design. Jeffrey knew that a true smile would not play well on screen. People wanted to see themselves in your teeth; you had to let those bad boys out.… more
Through the Wasteland
FICTION by Á. D. Canareira, Translated by Clare GauntThere was no need to ask why he was crazy about her again, in his romantic, foolish, desperate way; in a world where trying to persuade someone that love without irresistible physical attraction is possible, was like preaching in the wilderness.… more
Jacob Under God
FICTION by Jennifer Maritza McCauleyI struggled under his weight and felt his hardened muscles press into mine. I let out a long breath. Here we were. Just two almost-men molded and shaped and starved for this moment, to trade nasty heat and fear and fury.… more
Dry Rot
FICTION by Helena PantsisThe wind seemed to grow colder. John’s breath was held. He stayed entirely still, unmoving even at the will of the thankless, dry gale. In a jagged clash of metal against snake leather, the snake was stopped short.… more
Attempted
FICTION by Ross PeacockHe was face and body down on a hard surface. Was Heaven hard? More likely Hell. He had no clear vision. Thought that in the afterlife he would at least get good eyesight back but all he could see and not focus on, as normal, were grey shapes. He should have left all of that behind.… more
