He wasn't born, he had no parents, no family. He was created. Created by the Centuri Delegates, a secret organization at the heart of the Deag23 government, one of the major rulers in this part of the known Universe. They used technology far beyond what many would even consider possible. He was created for one reason, to fight against the Connexxion in a vicious war that had raged for decades. Deag23, nearing defeat, need...

I try so very hard to understand. Why? Why me? Then why not me? So confused. I must do better. You see, the last three weeks my health has bothered me. Why try to move when it hurts so bad? I have to get better. For me. I don't have you anymore. Only me. I'll take my meds and sleep longer. Maybe when I wake. I'm sorry I am rambling. I'll fight some other time.

Clanking, banging, jiggling the rusted bolts, the machine breaks but meanders to the chore Going forth into the forge, the flames melting the gourmets, the tracks baron form the many miles It springs a leak, the oil, the lifeblood spilling on the concrete floor The patina scrap of hardware patched together from the many stockpiles Sweltering steam rising from it’s billowing stacks The brass demands more, faster and more p...

The Meadow I walked across a meadow once, where phlox and daisies grew, their brightly colored petals lightly dipped in morning dew. A tender carpet woven from the blades of grassy green, where nature tossed some sprigs of moss to fill the in-between. The smell of blooming flowers floated sweetly in the air, and pollinators on the wing made sure they’re always there. A field of beauty cast beneath the blue and cloudless s...

It’s been two moons since I’ve heard your voice Not even your laughs could mask your choice Strained and hollow in your muted tone A far cry from the person I’ve known A wit once as sharp as a freshly forged blade, Has since drastically dulled and decayed A voice once light, bright and animated, Has since become inanimate and deflated It’s been a fortnight since I gazed upon your mouldered visage Not even the hood you wor...

Love is like the wind, you once told me, your voice a soft caress carrying secrets on dawn's breath. We danced in its embrace, two leaves caught in a breeze, spinning together, our touch light as air, yet deep as the sky's expanse, like the passing wind, brief, yet deeply felt. Your eyes held the horizon, vast and open, and I, a wanderer, lost in their dark infinity, drifted on the promise of forever whispered by the wind...

Emilia regained her consciousness and opened her eyes slowly. "We done?" she asked, as she looked around and searched for the members of her team. But none of them was around. A single unknown young woman was staring at her in confusion. The room she had woken up in wasn't even similar to the sterilized lab where the test had started and was supposed to finish. She recognized the room. It was used for robot repairs, and s...

They say everyone has something to hide, and you can only tell the truth when you look someone in the eye. * Shelley Withams-Glennie claims she’s an only child, but last month I read an article about her paraplegic brother in the local newspaper. Davis Currie was in youth detention for shoplifting, but says it was his twin, Frankie, who stole everything. Frankie never uses the urinals at school, and instead locks himself...

1958 - The 5-year-old Emilia Conly was taken to a science exhibition by her mother. The exhibition was held by a company called "Aperture Science Innovators". She was extremely fascinated by the things on display, which seemed magical to her. A part of the floor was painted with some kind of orange gel. The visitors were allowed to push special cubes on it to see how fast and far they go with just a little push. A little...

The summer of 1975 provided hot, sunny days and warm, balmy evenings in Detroit. Having a pool in our backyard meant late-night swims so we could go to bed and let the box fan in the window blow air on our wet hair, helping to cool us off enough to sleep. That was my parents’ idea of air conditioning. I never minded the heat. As hot as it was, it was nothing compared to the humid, tropical weather I experienced on my many...

I slipped on my moccasins and walked to my desk where I gathered my notebook and psychology textbook. I lifted my head and stared out the window of the top-story dorm room I shared with my roommate, Chloe. It was a dreary, spring morning. Gray clouds veiled the blue sky. Rain was imminent, I was sure. “Looks like it’s going to rain,” Chloe said as she opened the door and walked in the small room. I broke my gaze from star...

It was strange really, how it began. So totally unexpected. Hmm... let me explain from the beginning. It was a normal day. My role as the village blacksmith kept me firmly in the background. I had been doing this kind of work all my life. When I was young, I started as a simple villager, running errands, selling fruit and vegetables, just blending in really. But it was the Smithy that really attracted me, so I learned how...

Stand by the willow and skyward blue with the unspoken voice of nature like a tree of memories reflecting life of the verdant green for all seasons bending knees genuflecting in a breeze in the moonlight over the Susquehanna

“I can explain,” he pleaded, though it came out more like, “I cah eshlaih,” with his mouth stretched around the barrel of my shotgun. I raised my eyebrows, dark rage bubbling inside. “Explain?!” I spat. “Oh, this ought to be good. Let me guess, you came round to balance the books, tripped on the rug, your clothes fell off, and you landed in my miraculously naked wife?” Bryce held up his hands and shook his head against th...

The conscience of my soul scarlet light sunset with the herons that shake the willows in shadows that we dance horizon ever bright dipping oars into the waters of dreams whispering the music of my soul's glee as the moon is sailing upon the tide listening to sounds of yesterday's nightingales perched in the trees of the thistle glow hanging a star on a string with poetry dipping oars into the waters of dreams