Story

A Sudden Pull On The Leash The German shepherd’s claws skidded against the polished tile floor as he lunged forward, barking with his ears pinned back. A handler dressed in camouflage tried to brace his footing, but the dog threw his entire weight against the black nylon strap. Travelers pulling roller bags stepped aside, turning … Read more

A Sudden Standoff On The Wet Road The thick, patterned coils of a massive python cinched around the mother deer’s torso, pinning her legs against the wet asphalt. Her head snapped back toward the misty sky, her jaw open wide in a silent cry for relief. Instead of scattering into the nearby mountain brush, four … Read more

An Urgent Detour The electric scooter slowed to a stop as a golden retriever bounded onto the dirt path, barking insistently toward the tree line. The dog darted forward, turned his head back to check, and trotted directly toward the rushing riverbank. Stepping off the scooter’s deck, the woman followed the dog’s path through the … Read more

A Confrontation by the Gas Pumps The bearded biker poked his index finger firmly against the older man’s denim jacket, laughing as his friends gathered around. The older man held a brown paper bag against his chest and took a slow half-step backward toward his pickup truck. Three other men in leather vests surrounded him … Read more

A Confrontation on the Sidewalk An older man rested his hands on a worn leather bag, sitting quietly on the granite ledge outside a glass skyscraper. His brown overcoat was frayed at the seams, with holes dotting the fabric near his shoulders and elbows. His faded denim jeans had tears across the knees as pedestrian … Read more

A Quiet Step To The Counter An elderly man in worn work boots and patched trousers walked across the polished marble floor toward the bank counter. He held a folded white envelope between both hands, pressing his thumbs against the paper edges. The teller behind the glass looked up from his desk, glanced down at … Read more

Waiting On The Couch A little girl with braided pigtails rested her hands on her lap while looking up at her mother. She asked if her father would be coming home tonight. Her mother leaned in, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder as she explained he was working late but would return soon. The … Read more

The Morning Routine At Eastwood Diner The waitress rested the tip of her pen against the order pad as an elderly man slid a warm porcelain mug across the counter. His blue jacket bore veteran patches, and his cap sat square on his head as he asked for only coffee, declining breakfast once again. From … Read more

A Corded Telephone Call Mrs. Carter pressed the black telephone receiver hard against her ear. On the kitchen counter before her sat an open, empty navy velvet box. The voice on the other end gave her a name from a pawn transaction slip: Tessa Carter. The older woman lowered her chin, her knuckles whitening against … Read more

The Harsh Order The manager slammed a plastic tray loaded with spaghetti onto the laminate table. An older man sat alone, his bare feet resting flat against the gray floor tiles. His green jacket was frayed at the cuffs, and his gray beard was unevenly trimmed. “Eat fast, then get out,” the manager said, leaning … Read more

An Unfinished Conversation His hand gripped his colleague’s hand firmly across the polished conference table before letting go. He spun around, leaving the glass-walled boardroom behind as his smartphone buzzed against the mahogany desk. His thumb swiped across the glowing screen to decline the incoming call from his mother. He glanced at the metal watch … Read more

A Sudden Pour On A Sidewalk Display Dark coffee splashed across the top row of neatly folded white shirts, soaking deep into the cotton fabric. Bill gripped the blue canvas armrests of his lawn chair, his mouth falling open as the liquid dripped down the wooden table legs. The man holding the empty ceramic mug … Read more