A gathering of recent speculative flash & micro fiction, each presenting a tiny-yet-powerful universe. How tiny? About one-thousand words for flash; four-hundred words for micro. The word count isn’t as important as the emotion, the adventure, the sense of wonder. Including science fiction, fantasy, horror, and the spaces in between.
September offered several stories of the liminal spaces between life and death, and the way we explore this territory—whether seeking comfort or something else entirely. I’m also including a few wonderfully uplifting pieces, and a nod to the gods of irony. I hope you love these stories as much as I do!
***
Three Things That Happen the Night My Dad Dies
By Isabel Cañas in The Deadlands * 8oo Words
The night my dad dies, he’s not my dad—he’s fifteen years old, fluffy-haired and lean, and he’s sneaking through the neighbor’s backyard with a friend.
The dreamlike quality of this piece drew me in completely. Which scenario is the real one? Does it matter? I fell in love with the father as I visited the different options of his life, but even more, I love the narrator:
Then again, he’s not my dad, because this one never finds or marries my mom. I remain a mote of energy flitting through the dark matter of the universe, no one’s second thought or disappointment.
Give yourself time for multiple reads of this beautifully-crafted flash.
By Barlow Adams in HAD * 1000 Words
There are hundreds of priests and shamans in the world who can banish a demon or drive out an evil spirit, but there is only one unexorcist—only he can call the devil back, coax an evil to return.
This heartbreaker is packed with clever images and surprising language. Adams reveals a terribly complex father/son relationship through an enticing occult setup. This is another one you’ll want to read twice, just so you can soak up all the descriptive details.
By Rachel Gutin in Small Wonders * 970 Words
There are only three ways to break free of an umbrella: reach your destination, wait for the rain to end, or find a new companion.
This is an inventive story of human kindness and connection. Read it once for the fun of it, and then read it again to note how masterfully the author manages the rate of reveal, as well as the grounding structure of repetition: “There are only three options…” I’m drawn to the empathy of the protagonist, which puts me in mind of “Godiva of the Broken Shell” from Maya Dworsky-Rocha in last month’s Flash Fiction Online. Both lovely pieces.
By Lyndsey Croal in PseudoPod * 902 Words * Audio Available
First, I remove your eyes, then place the spider eggs in your skull, nestled safely in the empty sockets. Your eyes were so beautiful before, but now they’re dark, hollow.
This is a gorgeous love story, but it also made my skin crawl. If insects gross you out, don’t read this—but if you can stand the bugs, give it a try. You won’t be sorry, especially if you’re a hopeless romantic.
This is part of Pseudopod’s Flash on the Borderlands series, so while you’re there, take a look at “To Be Human” by Hannah Greer—a beautifully done look at empathy and inequality in a world of ready-made organ clones—and “Taproot” by S.L. Harris—a weird and fascinating visit to an unexpected garden. (All three stories are at the same link.)
By Stefan Alcalá Slater in Flash Fiction Online * 1012 Words
Ethel lassoes the twister but can’t break the beast. It whips her off the ground, carries her a hundred miles before spitting her up. Edgar, her brother, finds her hours later among a heap of splintered telephone poles and tattered cattle.
I can’t resist tornado stories. The energy and excitement of the storm breaker pulled me into this story. This is another one that revolves around an unkind deceased father. The hero in this piece is the brother, Edgar. The family emotion is the draw here, though I absolutely love the idea of a tornado breaker. After you read, take a look at this month’s editor’s note. Rebecca Halsey usually has some interesting things to say.
She Keeps the Monsters Behind the Ice
By Samuel Poots in Factor Four * 983 Words
My parents said I didn’t need to be afraid of the monsters in Lake Reema, because the Lady trapped them under ice.
This story brings to life a lovely relationship between a boy and his grandfather, and their connection to the creatures of the local lake. Again, empathy is at the heart of the piece. Despite the tragedies of this world, there is a hint of hope, after all.
By Deborah L. Davitt in Lightspeed * 1004 Words * Audio Available
I’m an early adopter. Mostly, that’s not a bad thing. I got nanite tattoos as soon as they came on the market.
Even though this technology isn’t yet real, the way the story progresses feels absolutely authentic. We see the current-day equivalent carried out in so many ways. Davitt captures the dangers of runaway capitalism and extremist behavior in a compelling scenario that had me nodding along as I read.
By Íde Hennessy in Flash Point * 991 Words
Friends and frenemies, drag queens and drama queens, this will probably be my last tutorial. I’ll be trading the cold glow of my ring light for the warm glow of candlelight soon, with all of you. So, I’ll just rip off the wax strip and get to it.
I don’t have much to offer at the end of the world. But not much doesn’t mean nothing.
The apocalypse is happening, and Roxy has some last-minute tips for the nomadic hellscape to come. This story is packed with clever language and a fun attitude. If the end of the world is inevitable, why not make the best of it?
By Meg Elison in Lightspeed * 996 Words * Audio Available
“How long do I have to have my membership with Juno before he proposes?”
The setup for this story is wonderful: people buy membership subscriptions to the god of their choice. What could go wrong?? Give this one a read!
Friends, I have only two human eyes and a single timeline to master, so I’ve undoubtedly missed a lot of fantastic stories. Please share your own favorites! You can add to my posts on Bluesky or Twitter, or wherever you exist!
Myna Chang 