In the swirling mists of a London forever changed by the relentless march of steam-powered progress, Emmeline Fairfax stood before her greatest creation. The brass and copper monstrosity loomed in her workshop, pistons gleaming and gears awaiting their first momentous turn. At just twenty-five, Emmeline had already made a name for herself as one of … Continue reading The Cogsmith’s Dilemma
Fiction
The Arcane Institute of Manhattan
The Chrysler Building towered over the bustling streets of Midtown Manhattan, its Art Deco spire piercing the early morning sky. To the casual observer, it was just another iconic skyscraper in New York City's impressive skyline. But for those in the know, it concealed a secret that defied the very laws of reality. Nestled within … Continue reading The Arcane Institute of Manhattan
The Percolator’s Peculiar Perk
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
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
The Character Couch – Mike Hanlon
Welcome to another exciting edition of The Character Couch! This is that section of The Confusing Middle where we take a look at well-known movie characters and examine them from a psychological point of view. What makes them tick? Grab some popcorn because today we're going to dive into the psyche of the steadfast guardian … Continue reading The Character Couch – Mike Hanlon
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 Confusing Middle 