Tag Archives: archaeology

WILLIAM MITCHELL: Pompeii

Adventure, Submissions, , , ,

Another body; it never gets easier.

She was young, her face, clothes, once vibrant, now a mere plaster-filled void, an ash-entombed statue, agonies frozen that disastrous day, centuries ago.

Her belongings emerge; linguists decode the ancient markings:

“Timex” – “Nike” – “iPhone”

And occasionally, rarely, paper fragments survive:

“Pompeii Tourist Guide: 2026”.

William Mitchell lives in East Sussex in the South of England. He is an award-winning author, having had early success with various Horror and Science Fiction publications before winning the Writers of the Future contest in 2012. His first novel, CREATIONS, came out in 2014 with John Hunt Publishing.

MIKE KEYSER: Distant Ember

Adventure, Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

He, born to dirt, smoke, and blood-stained rocks, watched his clan diminish in this harsh environment.

Now alone, longing to share his fire, he searched empty horizons.

His journey is inscribed in etchings and ochre on cave walls.

The Neanderthal’s light dimmed, never knowing his distant spark would reach us.

Mike (and his 3.2% Neanderthal DNA) uses speculative fiction to explore the boundaries between what was, what is, and what could be.

SIMON CLARK: The Nefertiti Legacy

Adventure, Submissions, , ,

Exquisite, translucent, shimmering. Vials of ancient mystery plucked from sand-blasted ruin by an intrepid adventurer.

Now lost, due to his new love, unknown until one evening when he placed his first bet. Cards became his new mistress, replacing exotic beauty hard won weeks before. Opalescent love, sacrificed for earthly addiction.

Simon Clarke was born in and raised and currently resides in East Anglia, United Kingdom. He has been writing fiction for at least five years and regularly submits to UK and international publications as well as reading short pieces and poetry at open mic events. He is currently working on his first novel and continues to write short stories and poetry.

The Day I Met a Tyrannosaurus X

Odd, , , , , , ,

Evolution happens.

I found that out for certain the day I met a Tyrannosaurus X.

He had weak eyes, massive jaws, and stubby little arms.

He was cold-blooded. Scaly-skinned. Exclusively carnivorous.

I was intrigued. I asked for a blood sample. He roared.

He was the missing link, the old fossil.

This story was based on a title suggested by @Tally_LRR.