Dynamic Duo

Dynamic Duo

I gripped Peter’s hand with a desperate strength I never knew I had.  The fire burned through my viscera, threatening to erupt from my eyes, my throat, my ears . . .

“Hold on, Rayna,” he whispered.

The genetic experiments worked wonders.  It was all about the right combination of genes.  The true potential of the human genome was finally coming to light.  Yet, as much as my power impressed me, it also terrifies me.

I’m constantly on the verge of losing control.

Focusing on Peter’s hand, I feel how he’s literally draining the heat from my body.  Sometimes I’m afraid Peter will turn to magma, but he’s my opposite.  I am fire.  He is ice.  He cools me down, keeping me from burning the world.  And I keep him from freezing it.  We were designed in pairs for a reason. 

Our combination of powers holds us in check until the time comes.

150 words

Volunteer

Once again, I'm treating you this Tuesday with a piece of flash fiction that I wrote for Flash Fiction Flourish.  Enjoy!

Volunteer

Outside the open window, I see miles of city skyline.  I don’t dare look down, but I know it’s going to be a long drop.  I volunteered for this, but faced with the reality of my decision, I’m having second thoughts.

Prompt provided by Flash Fiction
Flourish via MorgueFile

“It’s safe,” Joran insists.  He’s here to ensure I follow through with my end of the bargain.

I laugh.  “As if dying can be considered safe.”  I adjust the cap that’s been wired to my head.  It will read my brain activity during the experiment.  Yet it would be hard pressed to explain why a young woman would do this.

Since my brother died, I’ve wanted to understand death.  With reassurances that they can revive me afterwards, I have a chance of finding what I seek.

Taking a deep breath, I lean out the window.  With eyes closed, I push myself out until I feel the pull of freefall.

150 words

The Immaculate Association

Here's another Tuesday Treat dedicated to flash fiction.  The prompt from Flash Fiction Flourish inspired this week's piece.  Enjoy!

The Immaculate Association

The robed human male known as Brother Ron approached the leader of the Sargarian delegation, known more commonly as the Grand Wen.  A sneering green scaled face indicated disdain.

First contact between humans and the lizard-like species started out on reasonably good terms.  Unfortunately, the mingling of two species resulted in various kinds of cultural clashes.

“We have met with enough of your missionaries,” the Grand Wen announced firmly.  “We have no interest in whatever religion you might be selling.”

“Missionaries are salesmen of a different kind,” Brother Ron assured the assembly.  He set down a trunk.  He popped it open and pulled out a cylindrical mechanism with a long hose.  “We of the Immaculate Association believe that cleanliness is next to godliness.  Our mission is to ensure your people have access to a variety of cleaning products guaranteed to make your lives easier.”

145 words

The Twins

I decided to bring you a story treat today.  Thanks to Flash Fiction Flourish, I get plenty of inspiration to turn out brief little stories that I hope are packed with intrigue.  

The Twins

The twins worked in tandem.  As soon as Bobby and Billy learned to walk, they toiled together to build the toy skyscrapers that brought them to the cookie jar.  When one got in trouble, the other rushed in with a distraction.

People quickly noticed how in sync they were, and always without a word.  Testing at age 8 revealed that they were telepathically connected.  They often used this gift to mischievous ends, but nothing serious.

Gift turned to curse at 17.  

When a dead body appeared in their backyard, Bobby went to the police. "I did it.  I don't remember it, but I know I did it."

Billy remembered.  The girl liked Bobby better.  Being a twin, Billy rarely got anything to himself, and he was sick of it.  He was strong enough to plant the guilt in his brother's mind afterwards.

Now he was free.

146 words

A Brief Piece on an Epic Event

Hello everyone!  Today I bring you a flash piece that comes in at exactly 150 words.  Brevity isn't my thing, so this is a new record for me.

Why so short?

Thanks to Laura from My Baffling Brain, I learned of a new flash fiction blog called Flash Fiction Flourish.  

And it's literally brand new, so most of you probably haven't heard of it. The basic idea is this: a photo prompt is given, and you write a flash piece between 100-150 words based on that prompt.  The photo prompt depicts a boat on the water.

As usual, I must take it in a science fiction direction.  It's who I am.

This is also my piece for Friday Flash Dot Org.  Is that cheating?  Maybe.

Oh well.

More Than a Movie

The passengers on the cloaked timeship take their seats.  The staggered seating guarantees that everyone has unobstructed access to the wide viewscreen.

Fifty feet below, the cold water of the North Atlantic turns to white froth as the behemoth of a ship cuts through.  The oblivious passengers mill about the deck as the sunset paints them in shades of orange and gold.

Attendants are passing bags of buttered popcorn, assorted candies, and beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) out to the audience.

The images of Titanic are interspersed with interviews explain what to expect from the sinking. 

The CEO of Temporal Cruises soon fills the screen.  “Many films have been made about Titanic,” he explains, “but they don’t have the same impact as the real event lived out before your eyes.  People want to see that life and death struggle, and we provide that.”

Unseen, the iceberg looms in the distance.