Storygram #52
The light comes back on, and a woman in an orange jumpsuit is standing by the fence with her head tilted down, eyes up, staring at me with a nasty grin. I leap backwards and point my rifle at her.
Storygram #51
The door to the station creaked as she opened it. Illuminated by computer monitors, Silas was slumped over his keyboard, snoring. She flipped a switch and fluorescent lights crackled on.
Storygram #50
The pursuing car must have seen him on the phone. Using its front bumper, it nudged his vehicle from the rear. “Look, Lance, I’m sorry I gave you a sore nose, but I’m about to die!”
Storygram #49
My oxygen meter redlines, and a readout begins counting down from 3 minutes. “Colony first, Oliver. You know that.” I hear the familiar click of the radio cutting off.
Storygram #48
A patch of dirt in the center of his entire cantaloupe patch looked as though it were bulging upward. He tiptoed over to it and brushed the dirt away…
Storygram #47
Their 50th wedding anniversary was celebrated that morning with many tears and memories. But it was evening, now. “Mary, I… I’m scared.”
Storygram #46
The watch on his wrist beeped. He didn’t hear it, but he felt the tiny speaker’s subtle vibration. It was giving him a five minute warning—not that it mattered.
Storygram #45
I don’t know why I do what it says, but I’m glad. As I duck, a yellow coolant pipe bursts, spraying liquid nitrogen onto one of her guards.
Storygram #44
Its voice was gruff and deep… “All persons wishing to permanently enter Fairytale World must pay a fee of one happy memory.”
Storygram #43
He longed for comforting words from someone. Anyone. As he clung to this forgotten road, the rows of corn were pointing him to a small church.
Storygram #42
Stray. That’s what it says on the tag stuck to the top of my cage. But it isn’t true. Come, and let me tell you an old dog’s “tail,” if you’ll excuse my pun.
Storygram #41
His wife penned every heartfelt apology on his behalf until three years ago. Before the cancer took her, she made him promise that he would try.
Storygram #40
Millions of people were dying of dehydration. Those who were fortunate enough to catch a rain shower faced attacks from those who had none. Water had become more valuable than money ever was.
Storygram #39
We plummeted from orbit around Planet LJ257-12. It is home to a primitive culture, still using the planet’s natural resources for power. Now, our survey mission has become our worst nightmare.
Storygram #38
“We love you, Katy. You’re so pretty,” many voices whispered to her. She sprang back up. The Whispering Forest was in front of her, and she had no choice but to go through it.
Storygram #37
If he sent this article to print, tonight would be their last. He would never see her again, and this article would represent his last words. They would kill him, for sure.
Just Do It
When it comes down to creating and delivering art for the world to see, deserved admiration is often pummeled by ignorant scrutiny. It is dangerous because you will blame yourself, if you aren’t used to it.
Storygram #36
Everyone was competing to be the first to answer the question of the century: What’s inside the chamber? No one knew who had put it there, but they all assumed the contents would lay to rest the other nagging questions.
Storygram #35
Jason has been hit seven times. He has endured several broken bones, usually ribs, and has had to replace his bicycle each time. An orange vest and several reflectors are all that urge drivers to notice him.
Storygram #34
The sweat covered handle of the briefcase in his right hand kept slipping from his grip. In it was the presentation of his life’s work, neatly prepared to convince a board of executives to see his invention as the future of travel and the salvation of the environment.