Sniffing the night air, Rusty nodded to himself before snorting steam through his nostrils. “And just what is this dance of life?” I asked. Grinning, he bowed his head so his nose touched the scattered leaves on the ground. “It’s the very place you’ve been looking for.” “I wasn’t aware that I was ever looking… Read more

The moon was big, bony and cold yet warm and brilliant. It shimmered like a reflection, and in the forest below that hummed and sang, the music continued to call my name. Yet not just my name, but the names of many. I couldn’t put a face to any of them save for one—the one… Read more

Under George’s instructions, the magpies flew from the bathroom. When they returned shortly after, between their beaks, they clutched a blanket retrieved from X’s bed. Letting it fall as they hovered in the air, it covered her naked body and helped take the bite out of her shivers. The tears were still flowing, yet unlike… Read more

In anticipation of signs of life, the animals crept closer, then closer still. From outside, the birds in the trees were singing, and the breeze from the wind carried their songs for miles around. All over town, you could hear them, and although most didn’t, those with an ear for delicate wonders smiled to themselves… Read more

The steam shimmered and sang, dancing in the air like a feverish child. One by one the animals opened their eyes, and together they saw it spinning above X’s body like a mini tornado. George was the last to catch sight of it. Adjusting himself to the warm sunshine that filled the bathroom, he felt… Read more

Although George had told the other animals to keep their eyes closed, one rat, in particular, couldn’t help but take a peek. He’d been working himself to the bone trying to bring the girl back to life, but the entire time they’d been feeding her their energy, there had been a familiar and distinctive scent… Read more

Whipping his tail from side to side, George propelled himself towards X as she floated in her bubble of light. Inching through the strange space inside her skull, the rope tied around his waist was ready to snap him back as soon as he reached her. She may have saved herself from slipping out of… Read more

As George floated in what was some peculiar layer of X’s subconscious, he willed himself to take on physical form. It was a difficult task—one that left him on the brink of passing out—yet focusing with all his might, he appeared just as he did in real life. With a full set of whiskers, fur,… Read more

There were no stars, but as she kicked her feet as hard as she could, George’s voice drifted from somewhere above. “No more tomorrows, Prudence.” She tried to call out to let him know she was fighting, but the words got stuck in her throat. “No more second chances” he purred. Clenching her teeth and… Read more