It had been two years since the artificial trees—designed to capture carbon and illuminate pathways while generating electricity from foot traffic—were tested and running efficiently worldwide. A new system of water purification had made access to potable water safer and easier. At the same time, soil rehabilitation programs
They pulled over quickly on a country road. It was almost time. All the lights from the surrounding cities were about to be turned off. It was the fifth year since small groups within different governments had agreed to create a holiday where, at ten o’clock sharp, every light
He put his hand on the sand and felt the vibration of the earth, almost like a heartbeat. But something was wrong. There was anger in it. A part of the rhythm felt unreachable, sealed behind a wall of darkness. He lifted his hand and began walking toward the inactive
She ran out of the building with one hand raised, calling a taxi. Inside, she gave the driver directions to the tallest building in the city. A sneeze she didn’t expect forced her wings out, sending dust all over the back seat. She pulled them in before the driver
Bronze-plated armor, half-sister of Athena and Aphrodite. A warrior by circumstance, her gentle nature hidden behind the armor. She could take lies and wrap them in compassion, and still fight the battle. In bloody wars where the mind is gone and the sword moves by itself— where soldiers become more
Reverse. The footprints on the sand started to appear as every wave hit the shore. They grew deeper with each wave. Then a foot began to form from the dry sand around the edges of the prints. A leg, a torso, and then a head—stepping backward at the edge
Intro The replicant sat on the kitchen stool and poured itself a cup of coffee. With a pointed finger, it tuned the radio to a familiar station. After placing the phone on the wireless charger, holographic images bloomed above the kitchen counter. Every app lifted into the air, hovering in
Stories
It was the worst blizzard he had seen in years. At a stop sign, a car sat parked with its emergency lights flashing. A man stood beside it, waving to be picked up. He thought, what the hell, and pulled over. “Where are you headed?” he asked as the man
Stories
He signaled the waiter for two more with his fingers. The bar was loud and packed that night. “Dude, what are you even talking about?” “Listen, man. The whole thing is broken. We’ve been using the same system for hundreds of years, and even Churchill said, ‘Democracy is the
Stories
She spread her wings in a single movement, and light spilled from them as the trees around her swayed. With the same motion, she jumped and flew high above the clouds to catch the first ray of sunlight. As the sun began to rise, she positioned the bottle where the
Stories
“When did we stop creating—really creating—and looking for what could be a better system?” asked Caph. “What do you mean?” replied Ain. “Like Winston Churchill said, ‘democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others’—except he probably didn’t say that at all,” Caph
Stories
The stars aligned on the ninth day at the ninth hour, a line of bright points drawn across the sky. Sand from the bottom of the ocean lifted, forming a path that began at the beach and followed the stars. A bridge of sand rose as the shadow stepped forward,