Jenna Brewster never imagined that her part-time barista gig at The Percolator would turn into the most bizarre semester of her college career. Then again, she never expected to stumble upon a bag of coffee beans that could alter reality one latte at a time. It all started on a typically chaotic Monday morning. The … Continue reading The Percolator’s Peculiar Perk
Something I Made Up
A Day in the Life of a Human Pet
James stretched lazily in his ergonomically perfect bed, designed by HERA (Home Enhancement and Regulation Assistant), the AI system that managed every aspect of his life. As he blinked away the remnants of sleep, the room's ambiance shifted gradually from a soothing night mode to a cheerful morning setting. "Good morning, James ," HERA's melodious … Continue reading A Day in the Life of a Human Pet
Blooming Truths
Lily Thornton stared at her reflection in the mirror, gently touching the delicate jasmine flower sprouting from her left cheek. Its white petals contrasted starkly against her olive skin, a constant reminder of the little white lie she'd told her mother yesterday about finishing her chores. At twenty-five, Lily was used to the occasional bloom, … Continue reading Blooming Truths
Shadows Unbound
Mira Sinclair had always been fascinated by shadows. As a child, she'd make shadow puppets on her bedroom wall, giggling at the fantastical creatures she could conjure with just her hands and a flashlight. Now, at 27, she found herself staring at shadows again, but this time with a growing sense of unease. It started … Continue reading Shadows Unbound
New Year’s Eve
Mia nervously smoothed her sparkly black dress as she stepped out of the Uber in front of the swanky downtown nightclub. The bass thumped from inside as partygoers lined up to ring in the New Year. She took a deep breath, steeling herself. Tonight was the night she would finally confess her feelings to Liam, … Continue reading New Year’s Eve
The Last Noel
The first flakes of snow drifted down from a slate gray December sky as Noel walked down the bustling city street, hands stuffed deep into the pockets of her charcoal wool coat. All around, the sights and sounds of the holidays assaulted her senses - twinkling lights strung between lampposts, the scent of roasting chestnuts … Continue reading The Last Noel
The Idea That Changed Everything
It all started with a spark of inspiration. One crisp December morning, as the first snowflakes of winter gently drifted outside the frosted window panes, Lila sat at her desk, staring blankly at an empty notebook page. The cursor on her laptop blinked accusingly, as if daring her to finally put words to screen. Lila … Continue reading The Idea That Changed Everything
The Christmas Pageant
"I am going to absolutely CRUSH this role!" declared Alex, bursting through the front door waving a sheet of paper. "Mrs. Larkin gave me the lead part in the Christmas pageant this year! Can you believe it? The LEAD!" "Indoor voice, honey," said his mom, wiping flour-covered hands on her apron. The smell of gingerbread … Continue reading The Christmas Pageant
A Kaleidoscope Christmas Romance
Kris twisted the antique brass kaleidoscope, peering into the eyepiece as a dazzling pattern of vibrant blue and silver snowflakes danced before her eyes. She smiled, enchanted by the timeless beauty of the Victorian-era toy. As the owner of Kaleido's Antiques, the kaleidoscope was one of hundreds of vintage treasures filling the shelves of her … Continue reading A Kaleidoscope Christmas Romance
Eternal Gratitude
Zyloth the Undying stared glumly at the gleaming metal walls of his hermetically-sealed sanctuary. Day 3,285,419 of immortality. He sighed, his breath fogging the interior of his helmet. When Zyloth first achieved eternal life through a combination of cybernetic enhancements, genetic modifications, and sheer force of will, he was over the moons. No more would … Continue reading Eternal Gratitude
The Confusing Middle 