“Natural places are no different than human cities. The old exists next to the new. Invasive species integrate with or push out native species. The landscape you see around you […]
Chapter 15
“Yo, Mara, what should we close with?” Parth’s words shook her out of a trance Mara hadn’t realized she’d fallen in, staring at a flier for tonight’s opening band, an […]
Chapter 14
Tommy had not intended to drink so much, but Reggie knew the bartender at Squire’s. She made everyone’s drink with top shelf, but charged rail. So. Tommy was pretty warm […]
Sub-Genre Slam! Body Horror Edition
The swell of my belly increases with each new dawn, my joints all filled with useless fluid, hindering movement and completion of daily tasks. I abhor my present state, but […]
Chapter 13
It was Sunday night, and Tommy was calm, level-headed. Almost too focused. Totally in the zone behind the grill. He flipped a pork chop. Exact diamond hatch marks. It was […]
Chapter 12
That new girl server—Mara, that was her name—had fucking questions. New, Tommy laughed to himself. Mara had started maybe a week after him. He kept telling himself there was nothing […]
Chapter 11
Mara had settled into a schedule of brunch shifts Sunday and Monday, a double on Tuesdays, and dinner on Thursdays. One month in, and she could feel herself getting comfortable. […]
Friday Links: What Even Is Control Edition
“’The fish rots from the head.’ Fish rotted all over, cell corruption being nonhierarchical and not caste-driven, but point taken.” – Jeff VanderMeer, ‘Authority’ Second week of October—how spooked are […]
Chapter 10
Olly’s didn’t have a liquor license, so Amparo and Martín would have a sensible two drinks at Squire’s, the weathered tavern down the block and across the street, after work. […]