Story

A Final Notice in the Window An elderly baker stepped out onto the snowy sidewalk and hung a cardboard sign on his shop window that read, ‘Lease Expiring – Everything Must Go.’ His flour-dusted fingers brushed across the blue floral patches stitched onto his worn gray apron. Inside the quiet shop, he walked over to … Read more

A Showroom Confrontation Begins A salesman in a black suit leaned forward and shoved his hands onto his hips. He frowned at the older man standing near a polished black motorcycle on the shiny tile floor. The older man wore a worn leather jacket with faded seams, a plaid shirt, frayed denim jeans, and scuffed … Read more

The Hawk Tangled in the Net The brown-and-white feathered wings of the hawk pressed flat against the dark green netting stretched across the vineyard row. Its talons gripped the mesh tightly, anchoring its lower body while fine nylon threads wrapped tightly around its chest and shoulders. The hawk shifted its weight from side to side, … Read more

Trapped Beneath the Surface Tiny hooves scrabbled against the slick concrete wall, slipping backward into a rolling bed of white golf balls. The spotted fawn kicked frantically, trying to find traction against the vertical curve of the deep ball retrieval pit. Every lunge forward ended the same way, with the small animal sliding down into … Read more

The Heavy Hand on the Collar The blue-uniformed security guard reached out with a heavy palm and bunched the brown fabric of the older man’s jacket right below the collar. He yanked the traveler backward against the aircraft bulkhead with a sharp, heavy jerk. The man in the worn brown coat stumbled on the carpeted … Read more

A Helpless Cry in the Grass A small coyote pup strained against a thick braided rope, its front right paw pinned tightly to the muddy earth. Every tug on the cord pulled the loop tighter against its slender leg, leaving the young animal grounded in the wet grass. Just a few yards away beneath a … Read more

A Sharp Snag in the Open Grassland The crane jerked its slender gray leg upward, but the rusted barb held tight against its joint. Its long neck stretched forward, letting out sharp, rattling calls across the open prairie. Just feet away on the other side of the fence, two other sandhill cranes paced back and … Read more

The Tangled Encounter The heavy leather work boot stepped over the rust-colored autumn leaves, crunching the dry foliage underfoot as a man approached the wire farm fence. A small, spotted bobcat kitten stood frozen against the barrier, its fur bristling slightly as thick metal strands pressed directly into its hindquarters and back. The wire mesh … Read more

A Guardian On The Shoulder A golden retriever planted his front paws onto the officer’s chest, barking toward passing traffic while leaning over the fallen uniform. The patrol officer sat slumped against the metal guardrail on the edge of the busy highway. His cap lay in the gravel beside his boot as his head tilted … Read more

A Tangled Struggle A young hawk sits trapped against the dirt, its dark, patterned wings pinned firmly against the netting. The mesh weave pulled tight around its body, preventing the bird from spreading its wings or taking flight. Just above the struggling creature, another hawk circles in the pale, golden light of late afternoon. It … Read more

A Tense Confrontation at Row Two An older man adjusted the leather strap on his brown bag and tucked it beneath the seat in front of him. He smoothed down his dark denim jacket and leaned back into seat 2B, resting his hands in his lap. A woman wearing a tailored pinstripe blazer stopped directly … Read more

The Heavy Hand on the Hood Calloused fingers pressed against the polished black paint of the luxury sedan’s front fender. The denim-clad arm belonged to a man wearing faded jeans and a worn work jacket, his gray hair falling loosely around his temples. A salesman in a sharp black suit and matching tie strode across … Read more