Story

A Sudden Halt Beside the Road A golden retriever paced the edge of the asphalt, planting its front paws in the tall grass before turning back toward oncoming traffic. A few feet behind the dog, an elderly man sat slumped motionless against a wooden utility pole with his head tilted back. Vehicles continued passing along … Read more

A Fierce Guardian on the Wooden Pier A massive white swan reared back on the wooden planks, spreading her wings wide and hissing directly at a startled pedestrian. The woman leaped backward, pressing her tote bag tight against her side as the bird took two sharp, threatening steps forward. Nearby boats bobbed gently against the … Read more

A Tangled Struggle The small bobcat kitten twisted against the wire netting at the base of the dirt fence line, unable to pull its back legs free. A few yards back, the mother bobcat crouched in the dry dirt beside a white pickup truck, ears pointed forward as dust kicked around her paws. The kitten … Read more

A Tiny Head Above Murky Water A small spotted fawn paddled its front legs against the galvanized steel wall of a deep water trough, unable to gain purchase against the slippery green algae. Beside the rim, an adult doe stretched her neck downward, nuzzling the soaked ears of her baby while a second fawn stood … Read more

A Sudden Tear On The City Sidewalk A white sneaker sole tore loose from its stitching, flapping wildly across the concrete with every step. The young man stopped in his tracks, staring down at the ruined footwear dangling from his foot. He threw his arms out to his sides, looking around at the passing pedestrians … Read more

A Guard Stops a Guest at the Door The guard extended his right arm, blocking the glass doorway as a gray-haired man in a casual jacket attempted to walk into the lobby. The visitor wore a button-down denim shirt under a faded brown canvas coat, with a worn leather strap running across his chest. The … Read more

A Cold Reception At The Counter The bank manager pointed her index finger straight across the polished wooden desk, holding the phone receiver firmly against her ear. Her eyebrows knit together as she looked down at the older man standing in front of her. He wore an olive drab fatigue shirt and a green baseball … Read more

An Unexpected Object on the Pavement A man in a denim jacket stepped forward along the crowded concrete sidewalk, his boots tapping steadily against the stone. A small square of folded brown leather lay motionless right between two expansion joints in the walkway. His stride slowed to an abrupt halt before his right foot could … Read more

Stopped At The Velvet Rope An elderly woman clutched a wrinkled brown paper bag against her wool coat as she reached the hotel entrance. From the opening of the bag, the worn head of a small stuffed teddy bear peeked out into the evening chill. A blonde gala host in a tailored black suit stepped … Read more

An Empty Bowl On Wet Pavement An older man with weathered hands held an empty silver bowl outside the clinic doorway. Rain coated the red brick wall behind him while a brown and tan mixed-breed dog lay quietly on the damp concrete at his boots. A veterinary assistant in dark blue scrubs paused at the … Read more

A Slow Walk Along The Pavement Torn denim dragged across the concrete as her feet moved forward one slow step at a time. Her jacket hung in shreds, gray fabric frayed and dirt ground deep into every seam. She kept her eyes lowered toward the sidewalk, clutching an empty shoulder bag close against her ribs. … Read more

An Unnoticed Hand The woman stood up from her outdoor cafe table, leaving her orange phone lying next to her plate of steak and fries. A man walking down the narrow cobblestone alley slowed his pace as he reached the table. His hand reached down, scooped up the bright orange device, and tucked it into … Read more