From the sky a heavy rain of quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies fall to the earth. Some risk collecting the money from their driveway and gutters. Many are killed by the coins falling on their heads. The phenomena last for weeks then abruptly stops.
We were warned about climate change.
Denny E, Marshall had had art, poetry, and fiction published. One recent credit is fiction in Potato Soup Salad. See more at dennymarshall.com.
You and a friend have been stranded for over a decade.
You have searched for years, covering hundreds of miles, finding no signs of others.
You hear a loud roar and see a spacecraft approach.
Is it a rescue, or an unknown danger?
Markings on the craft read Earth One.
Denny E. Marshall had had art, poetry, and fiction published. One recent credit is fiction in Night To Dawn 35, April 2019. See more at dennymarshall.com.
Matthew is in surgery to have a large tumor removed from his brain. Matthew hopes it’s not malignant. After the operation Matthew recovers quickly.
Matthew’s doctor comes in and briefs him.
Matthew is happy to learn it wasn’t a tumor, though he wishes the poor alien didn’t have to die.
Denny E, Marshall had had art, poetry, and fiction published. One recent credit is fiction in Night To Dawn 35 April 2019. See more at dennymarshall.com.
Leroy orders online. Two weeks later the package arrives.
It is a head that looks exactly like Leroy.
When his work robot arrives home, he removes its head and replaces it with the new one.
Leroy will wait a month and then try to talk the robot into trading places.
Denny E. Marshall has had art, poetry, and fiction published, including fiction in Night To Dawn October 2018. See more at dennymarshall.com.
There must be 50 words to leave your lover.
Goodbye, see you later, don’t call, don’t text, don’t call or text again, it’s over, you cheated, I cheated, it’s not you it’s me, moving away, found someone online, with your brother or sister, with your best friend.
All recently used.
Denny E. Marshall has had art, poetry, and fiction published, including fiction in Night To Dawn April 2018. See more at dennymarshall.com.
Tex is old school, still uses snail mail. Today, instead of going to the post office, Tex will try the latest technology.
After the message is sent, Tex feels confident. Now all he has to do is wait for a reply.
Tex will go back to the telegraph office tomorrow.
Denny E. Marshall had had art, poetry, and fiction published, including fiction in The Stray Branch Spring 2017. See more at dennymarshall.com.
“Thought we destroyed them years ago and they were all dead,” said Caption Savoy.
“It killed the dinosaurs but not all life forms, sir,” replied Lt. Flit Duson.
“No big deal, Flit. Send another meteorite, a larger one this time. That should take care of it,” said Captain Savoy.
Denny E. Marshall has had art, poetry, and fiction published, including fiction at The Stray Branch Spring 2017. See more at dennymarshall.com.
Dr. Toms receives a soil sample from planet Mars. Dr. Toms views the sample under a microscope.
At 5000X she sees hints of something different. She turns the magnification up to 20,000X.
Dr. Toms can see: it’s writing. The words say,
“If you can read this you are too close.“
Denny E. Marshall had had art, poetry, and fiction published, including fiction at Postcard Shorts. See more at dennymarshall.com.
Cherry’s father is in the garage by the workbench when she gets home. She’s made it a habit of at least saying hello to him after school.
Cherry’s dad suffers from depression. A cockroach infestation makes it worse. He can’t take it anymore.
Her father pulls the trigger, sprays insecticide.
Denny E. Marshall had had art, poetry, and fiction published, including a recent publication at Postcard Shorts. See more at dennymarshall.com.
Amy’s boyfriend never physically abuses her, but the emotional abuse is constant.
One night in the kitchen, Amy snaps after a relentless barrage of name-calling. She takes a long knife out of the holder and stabs him repeatedly.
Amy is in shock as she sees sparks coming from exposed wires.
Denny E. Marshall had had art, poetry, and fiction published, including recent fiction at 101 Words. See more at dennymarshall.com.