My eyes open slowly. I am lying on a cold, hard surface and see the dim outlines of things – broken windows, turned-over furniture, debris on the floor. Where am I? I remember running, hiding, being hungry. Humanity died when the war started. I inhale the night air. Then hear someone else taking a breath. I exhale stealthily. “Are you awake?” A hoarse voice comes … Continue reading before it ends

Nobody talks at dinner; their heads are down, staring at devices in their hands. The other hands hold utensils, and they work in motion from the plates to the mouths, making occasional noises. I bring a spoonful of the tomato bisque to my lips, “I miss the old times,” muttering under my breath. All heads at the table turn in my direction. I quickly cover … Continue reading order

She stirs the pot, scrunches her nose at the smell of garlic and herbs, and mops the sweat dripping down her neck. A sudden clinking sound of bottles behind startles her, but she keeps her eyes on the pot. Her hands shake a little, more sweat breaks out. The braids of her hair tremble. The clinking bottles move away, out of the kitchen, down the … Continue reading what’s cooking

  Tim tries to open his eyes and flinches. “You’re gonna make it, buddy.” Who’s that? Tim tries to move and realizes he can’t. “You’re all strapped in and immobile,” the unfamiliar voice seems to be talking to him, “You were in an accident.” Accident? Tim tries to remember what happened. He was driving. He had borrowed Dad’s car. Tim moves his eyeballs and sees he’s … Continue reading precious cargo

  I knew it was coming, but this soon? TV, SNS, and the papers are talking about the alarming discovery. What do I do now? I take the box out of the closet, carefully open, and remove the contents. Keys, a towel, a knife. All familiar. A pang in my chest. At the bottom, I find the answer. It has always been there, in the … Continue reading a package deal