Stories tagged “choices”
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Decision
The light came through the window, landing on the small card table that had sat in his kitchen for years. The sun felt good, he closed his eyes, leaning forward to feel its warm kiss. His glass of water refracted the light onto the table top. Dust danc...
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Surviving Among The Stars
With each slow, deliberate breath, all she could think about was the fact that it would be nice to be able to panic. Unfortunately, that was an emotional luxury that escaped her. Her intense training at the space agency had taught her that survival in ...
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Which Side?
Shaun’s eyes were starting to burn. At that moment, he knew two things were true. He had gone through two packs in an hour. And the building was not moving any closer. He had no idea it would be this hard to just walk through the front doors. His pla...
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She is but a blind mute, and I a ghost
The thrum of the diesel engines mixes with the hiss of hydraulics as the rolling carapace allows passengers into its warmth. She steps in on the third stop since my own boarding. She doesn’t return the smile from the operator as she pays her dues...
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Smoke and Ashes
I can’t believe that I actually fell asleep. How could I do that? It was probably the dumbest thing I could do. Seriously. Before I even closed my eyes, I made it a point to turn on the tv and watch the news. It was 27 min of fire coverage and 3 ...
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Choice
I stared at the gloves in my hand. Why in God’s name wasn’t I running? Barkley was sitting out in the car—my car—and here I was in a Walgreen’s three hours from my home, buying gardening gloves and Windex and a fucking Sha...
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October
‘No!’, she screamed at the top of her voice ‘No?’ he asked hurt, surprise, defeat crossing over his face. She turned back to face him. For a few seconds they just stood there staring at each other. She dropped her bags, covered...
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Dieter touched his fingers to the wall.
And pushed, cracking plaster and crushing concrete, pushed with both hands then strode through the weakened barrier. Above him, the building groaned as it shifted, trying to settle with one of its load-bearing structures now fragments beneath steel-toe...
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Better to be the Water
I skirt the edge of incoming waves as I try to stay dry. I didn’t think to change into swimming trunks when I came out here and started walking. I just wanted to enjoy a moment with my new-found friend. Things have been difficult lately. At first...
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Your Choice
Untie the knot of evil that’s encircling your soul You may not believe my words but you will soon lose all control In that instant where the evil starts to tear yourself apart looking back, you’ll find you’re wishing that you’d ...
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Friends/Lovers
He chain-smoked his Camels while he waited in the church parking lot. She came out and she was tall and brown, like always, and her face was peppered with freckles and intellect, and what could he do? He was leaning against her car door trying to look ...
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After World
Many years ago people made a choice. They chose poorly. We survivors live with that choice. The last of the generation that participated in that choice would pass on in a few years. Many of them still deny their culpability. Still. Those few of us stil...
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Talking to myself
On July 6, 2009, I met my doppelganger for the second time. The first was as I was exiting the MTR (or subway, or underground, depending on where you are). He was going up the escalator, I was going down. I notice he’s wearing the same suit he di...
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Choices in Escape
The past chases at a leisurely pace yet does not waver. Carried along by the winds of chance a balloon proffers itself as good a means of escape as any. Clear days bring slow travel. Stormy weather speeds progress until spelling its doom. Thus Girard t...
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Little Dreamer's Gone to War
Little dreamer’s gone to war Still in the fight before Called upon off he goes Didn’t volunteer Won’t say no Shall we call this bravery Up for the pounding In for a penny Up til now up to fantasy Imagination’s lad Flights of fan...
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[ storm ]
I could hear the rain hitting the pavement and the thunder crashing in the distance. The lightening illuminated the entire street every few minutes, a glorious cacophony of sound and light. It was so beautiful, even if to other people the storm was a l...
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[ storm, ii ]
I pick up one of the oblong pills and roll it around in my fingers. Slowly I let it fall down into the cup of my palm. It looks too small and delicate to cause that harm that it would. My fingers trace the numbers etched into the side, the tracking num...
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Trust Me
The girls didn’t actually go to the bathroom, nor did they powder their noses. They actually walked out to Eve’s car and smoked a bowl. “So, dish, girl,” Becky said, handing over the pipe. “Which one are you going home wit...
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In Between Minds: A Step in a New Direction
“I’m not hungry.” I said automatically. My stomach disagreed with a loud grumbling sound. The girl in the doorway smiled. “That’s okay. You don’t have to eat but you should drink this- it’ll make you feel bette...
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The Choice
A screen crackles with static charge as it opens it’s eye to stare. It’s early, before the rooster calls the day to start. Salt and pepper static foams across the screen, casting a bluish tint onto Peter’s face. A test pattern rolls into ...
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And so he falls?
A two-step to the choice. A commitment made of the present As it’s very nature contorts and yields. As when by a superior force. Defenses shatter. Tender, sharp proves the doubt. But no counter-moves are allowed. Waves batter and the din’...