Humans are incredibly peculiar. They stare at thin blocks that light up and make noise. Heads down, thumbs twiddling, ignoring the world. I think it is their god. To fit in, I too keep glued to the box. It worked. Not once have they realised I’m not of their kind.
Zoe is a passionate cinephile and bibliophile. She spends most of her time writing, reading, or thinking about films.
Every time I type my to-do list, auto-correct interrupts my train of thought.
I need to
…check the news.
…watch Netflix.
…buy something on Amazon.
Doubt descends. What do I really want? To put down my phone. I press ‘save’ and auto-correct says, Wait.
You forgot something.
Wait.
Stay here…
Michelle Wilson’s words have appeared in Bending Genres, A Thin Slice of Anxiety, Rejection Letters, Potato Soup Journal’s Best of 2021 Anthology, Maudlin House, Litro Magazine, The Drabble, 50-Word Stories, Flash Fiction Magazine, and Mr. Beller’s Neighborhood, among others. Her story ‘Fish Brain’ was nominated for Best of the Net 2022. She lives with her partner in Washington, DC. She can be found at michellekwilson.wordpress.com.
My lady and I are out of touch. We dine, surrounded by modern couples, each individual cradling a phone. Screens illuminate their faces while our candlelight wavers. Words flutter aimlessly, failing to land.
I ask, are we connected to the clouded world? She says, our connection is cloudy at best.
Matthew Gregory is a writer and filmmaker living in South Florida. He is currently working on his long-neglected Twitter account. For more visit Matthew-Gregory.com.
“I’ve invited you here to discuss this planet’s future. If we’re to achieve the ideal Big Brother State effectively, we need is a camera everywhere that there is a person, and get them to proclaim what they’re doing at all times.
“Do you have any ideas? Mr. Ericsson? Mr. Zuckerberg?”
Mark plays the ukulele, rides a motorcycle, and likes monkeys. He can easily be lured into a trap with the promise of chocolate.