A Night on the Beach
“A Night on the Beach” “Summer vacation is starting out a blast this year,” Toby was saying as he chugged his third brewsky. The bonfire they’d lit hours earlier was still burning hot and strong, fed by whatever the guys could get their hands on. Laughter echoed across the sand as the fire crackled and […]
Crashed Part 14
“Crashed” Part 14 She had put enough distance between herself and the humans to risk stillness. The forest thinned here. Old growth. Rotting wood. She lowered herself onto a fallen log, its structure failing beneath her weight but holding long enough. Long enough to try. She reached inward—toward the quiet signal. Toward the one that […]
“CRASHED” PART 13
“CRASHED” PART 13 In the hotel room, after Ken and Patty finished unloading their suitcases, Patty reached for the remote and turned on the television. The screen cut immediately to a red banner. BREAKING NEWS. A reporter’s voice filled the room. “We’re coming to you live from Cattle Way Drive, where the scene behind me […]
“CRASHED” PART 12
“CRASHED” PART 12 The command center wasn’t what Ken expected—though, truthfully, he hadn’t known what to expect. The tent was larger than it looked from the outside. Rows of laptops and monitors glowed in the dim light. Young soldiers sat at folding tables, headsets on, fingers moving fast. For all the military presence, it felt […]
“LATE DELIVERY”
“Late Delivery” Friday night, and here she was — working another shift. Sandy had called in sick again. “I’m sorry, Janet,” Becky had said. “Sandy called in again. You wouldn’t mind—” Janet cut her off. “Do I have a choice?” she replied, voice dry. She just smiled, said thank you, and walked back to the […]
“CRASHED” PART 11
“Crashed” Part 11 “Good morning, Mr. Miller,” the young MP said as Ken brought the pickup to a stop. “We’re going to give your vehicle a quick once-over, and then you’ll be free to go. Sorry for the inconvenience, sir, but my orders are to check anything coming or going.” Ken nodded, doing his best […]
“Crashed” Part 10
“Crashed” — Part 10 “Ken?” Hayes’ voice crackled through the radio. “You there?” “Ten-four,” Ken replied. “My team just pulled in,” Hayes said. “I’m not trying to rush you, sir, but do you have an ETD? I’d like to get this sweep underway as soon as possible.” Ken already knew what the call was about. […]
“The Unrest”
“The Unrest” Pete was watching the 6:00 news again, even though he had sworn it off. Too much violence. Too much negativity. Hate and division—those were the only things that ever seemed to make the screen anymore. Pete never considered himself an activist or anything like that, and he wasn’t necessarily on any side. He […]
“Crashed” Part 8
“Crashed” Part 8 It felt different now.The simple knock on the door sent a wave of panic through all three of them — as if fate itself stood on the other side. Ken opened the door. Lieutenant Hayes stood there, just like before. But this time, he wasn’t alone. A younger, slightly thinner man stood […]
“Crashed” Part 7
“Crashed” Part 7 There she was. Standing in the doorway. Glowing. A fiery orange aura rippled off her skin — or rather, off the suit that clung to her like a second layer of light. It pulsed for only a few seconds… then faded completely. Ken and Patty stood frozen. Then, without a word, they […]