Completing the first draft of any story has always been a challenge for me. Once I get close to the all important end, I sometimes aggressively avoid writing the conclusion at all because I'm aware that my creativity will stall as I grumble my way through a thesaurus even though I know I should save … Continue reading Finishing First Drafts
Blanche walked barefoot on the beach one last time before heading back to the city. Her quaint coastal hometown held a lot of fond memories, especially involving the beach. "Don't forget to make an offering to the sea," her grandfather had said as she was hugging her grandmother goodbye that morning in front of the … Continue reading Deity of the Sea
A $120 bottle of whiskey was opened and poured into a glass, and along with the dark gold drink swirled two bugs. The insects' departed souls were so steeped in alcohol that their spirits staggered toward the second entrance to heaven, a doorway meant for all nonhuman creatures, but then missed the mark. This happened … Continue reading Two Bugs in a Bottle of Whiskey
“What are you doing?” “Nothing.” “Don’t lie to me!” “I’m not!” A struggle ensues for whatever is being hidden. “Dork! You’re reading a book!” “I know!” “Why didn’t you say so?” “Go away and let me finish…”
THE UNMARKED government trucks sped out of Max’s neighborhood with dead leaves fluttering in their wake. No evidence remained to show that Max’s home had ever been disturbed. Zero footprints marred flowerbeds, no discarded gloves littered the hedge, neither a cheese cube nor an animal cracker dotted the lawn, and not a single drop of … Continue reading Milk Carton Universe (Chapter Eight – The Conclusion)
THE SCIENTISTS carried a thick case into the kitchen where they set it in the middle of the tile floor. The case, when sealed, was capable of withstanding any temperature, acidity, pressure or insult. The assistant lead scientist opened the small door on the side of the case and watched closely as the lead scientist … Continue reading Milk Carton Universe (Chapter Seven)
THIS GUY wants my expired soy milk. Max looked from the carton in his possession to the lead scientist who held out his hands, beckoning intently. Then this isn’t a prank… Neither Grandma Neta nor anyone else at the community center could pull off a prank of this magnitude, but that only left him even … Continue reading Milk Carton Universe (Chapter Six)
BEFORE MAX was able to satisfy his curiosity, a team of federal agents burst through every window in the house. They were all armed and wore dark uniforms, body armor, eye protection, and breathing apparatuses in a way that no part of their bodies were exposed. They dashed through windows in the kitchen, living room, … Continue reading Milk Carton Universe (Chapter Five)
AN ALARM sounded in a government monitoring center. It’s suspected one might, anyway. No one of accountability has ever admitted as much. It’s unknown precisely how The Secret Department for Interdimensional Research and Defense (S.D.I.R.D.) is alerted when dangerously expired cartons of milk and milk substitute products are at risk. To this day, the secret … Continue reading Milk Carton Universe (Chapter Four)
RETURNING HOME, Max ignored the three cats napping on a basket of clean clothes in the living room and went directly to the kitchen. “It has to be a joke,” he reasoned with himself. “A strangely coordinated and bizarre joke. Or maybe it’s a generational thing which could be why it went way over my … Continue reading Milk Carton Universe (Chapter Three)
Duri Rolvsson 