spinning yarns from heartstrings
Uniforms were to be worn at all times, most especially on the march. A single body out of line subjected itself to punishment. A button undone, a boot unpolished–some said these were infractions severe enough to incur death. Every day Iris tested the water to see how much she could get away with. Monday she put […]
Two hundred years, he’d served loyally, a faithful playmate to the Miyuzaki children as they grew, a confidant worthy of their prepubescent daydreams and, later, their adolescent fears about a world too large and cruel to keep them innocent. He never allowed himself to favor one more than the others, but Saeko was different. From the […]
Six months, he searched for it: the wish sword. Dull of blade, but sharp with power, whosoever found it was granted the power of a single wish to change their life. All throughout the lonely quest, he thought about what he might do with that wish when he found it. He could have riches, prestige, power […]
She said the answers would come when the time was right, told me to watch the waves for my salvation. She said, “When at last you learn your lesson, Amelia, the key to your freedom will wash ashore.” A hundred years I waited, and finally it had come: permission to shed my isolation and mark my […]
I already know what’s out there. I remember the wind in the grass, the whispers of the chaff, the subtlety of the waves lapping at the shore. He wants me to see what’s out there so I miss it, so I ache for the freedom he’s taken away, but he doesn’t know what’s in here. […]
“Hmm?” Rough as sand, his deep voice cut through the silence, but she didn’t startle. Instead she asked again, “Will it always be like this?” He wanted to lie to her. Yes—that was the word she wanted to hear, the promise he should make, even though it would be impossible to keep—it will always be […]
“Hey, do you think we could talk for a minute?” She huffed the bangs off her forehead, a display of rainbow color rising upward before settling back in over pale, golden brows. “I’m on my way out.” “I know, honey, but this will just take a minute.” The things he had to tell her would […]
Everything good came in threes; Mama always said that, but Hark seriously doubted her reasoning. Three sons were born before Papa disappeared, not at the same time, but over a course of five years. He took off when the youngest was six and Hark was eleven. He was born first, but Mama said it didn’t […]
I have no choice but to leave this with you and ask that you keep it safe for as long as possible. Your life, and the lives of so many others depend upon it. I won’t tell you not to be afraid. You have every right to your fears. Terror breeds vigilance, vigilance will keep […]
Exhaustion burns in every muscle, tugging until her bones ache. The quiet hum of the engines should be putting her to sleep, but the underlights lining the cabinet cast a glow like muted, dirty paper across their naked bodies, and she can’t sleep. Can’t stop looking at him, feeling the warmth of his thigh pressed […]