by Jim Stitzel | Jun 18, 2024 | Stories
This entry is part 4 of 5 in the series AvaThousands of birds swarmed through the sky like a great, migratory organism — swelling, shrinking, pulsing according to an invisible rhythm only they could feel. They flew over the countryside, darkening the sky for long...
by Jim Stitzel | Jun 18, 2024 | Stories
This entry is part 3 of 5 in the series AvaBeth turned away from the screen. “Turn it off.” The security footage of Ava’s raw power was sickening. “Girl’s not natural,” Thad said. “Nothing that causes such wanton destruction on a global scale can be natural.” Beth...
by Jim Stitzel | Jun 18, 2024 | Stories
This entry is part 2 of 5 in the series AvaThe cast-off tennis shoe lies discarded in the gravel by the side of the road, its white leather dry and cracked. Just beyond it stands a sign delineating, in large block letters, a speed zone of 30 MPH. Atop the sign a black...
by Jim Stitzel | Jun 17, 2024 | Stories
“Don’t get discouraged,” the Voice says, right into my ear. Which is weird, because there’s no one there, and I’m not wearing an earpiece. “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” it continues, “so I expect it will take you more than one to solve this puzzle.” I’ve been here for...
by Jim Stitzel | Jun 16, 2024 | Stories
Please give me another chance. I know. I fucked things up the first time around. I’d like to make it right. If you’ll give me a chance to do so. I know I got the carvings correct. You said so yourself. But I realize that was about the place where my...
