MAX JOHNSON met his grandmother Neta at the community center for bingo as he did every Thursday. They always arrived early to talk while they waited for the volunteers to finish setting up and other players to arrive. This week, Neta shared a harrowing story about an elderly neighbor who had discovered a spoiled half … Continue reading Milk Carton Universe (Chapter One)
Evil’s Conundrum
The young superhero Waveform jogged in step with the harried chief of security. Dark patterned carpet muffled their hurried progress through the Legge Airport past silent restrooms, abandoned counters, and deserted restaurant tables toward the B-Gates. A single person leisurely paced the open central space between the waiting areas for the four B-gates. He wore … Continue reading Evil’s Conundrum
CH 5: Open Water
Saturday, Sept 10, 2022 - Swim to Alligator Lighthouse At the start whistle, I swam out of the starting gateway with the group which began to spread out within the first 100 yards. We veered toward the first buoys where swimmers were required to merge with their support kayaks. Luckily, my kayaks spotted me quickly … Continue reading CH 5: Open Water
Current Mood
CH 4: Event Day
Saturday, Sept 10, 2022 - Swim to Alligator Lighthouse I knew it was vital to be rested before an athletic event but I was awake at 5:00AM and checked the clock every five minutes (ugh, adrenaline) with the uneasy, and mistaken, impression that we were late. Our phone alarms woke everyone else at 6:00AM as … Continue reading CH 4: Event Day
Coping Capacity
Otso Mustonen stood among onlookers crowding a pool table watching an intense game between an audacious university student and a cool-headed man wearing an over-sized cream-colored sweater. At 6'5" and as an avid weightlifter, Otso dwarfed all other patrons in the tavern. He stood in the back, leaning against the wood-paneled wall, and observed the … Continue reading Coping Capacity
Evil’s First Hello
Neutrino strode down a line of people seated on the bank floor with their backs to the wall, faces lowered, and hands on their heads. The armed supervillain's footsteps were the only sound in the largest financial establishment in the city. Police had surrounded the building and cut power nearly an hour ago however, due … Continue reading Evil’s First Hello
CH 3: Anne Beach and Amara Cay
Friday, Sept 9, 2022. One day before “race” day. Friday morning, Anton stayed in the hotel room to finish up a few things on his laptop for work while the rest of us went exploring before the mandatory safety meeting at 1:00pm. We chose to drive south on the lone road that threads the length … Continue reading CH 3: Anne Beach and Amara Cay
Weather Limbo
In the spirit of hurricane preparedness, we're ready but we're also doing normal crap like playing World of Warcraft and going to work tomorrow. While my bro Anton and I grew up in central Florida, we currently reside in Hillsborough County which is way closer to the coast than we're used to being for named … Continue reading Weather Limbo
CH 2: Point A to Point B
Thursday, Sept 8, 2022. Two days before "race" day. Reaching the general vicinity of the venue of the Swim to Alligator Lighthouse was an endeavor in itself. Seriously. I currently live in Tampa, FL. Our destination was the village of Islamorada in the Florida Keys. I won't give you a minute-by-minute account, but I woke … Continue reading CH 2: Point A to Point B