by Dei Walker In her headlamp’s dim light, Mirrim traces the shapes on the ancient stone wall. They resemble claw marks more than runes, but she tries to speak them anyway. She shapes sounds and twists her tongue around impossible syllables with growing ease. Her fingers catch on jagged stone, slicing skin. In the subterranean […]
by P.S. Traum Alicia pointed as the archaeologists entered the labyrinthine Amazonian temple. “See? These ancient ruins predate Mayan, Olmec…” Vik shrugged. “Why build in dark caverns and cliffs under dense jungle canopy?” “Nocturnal? Look, these murals depict an extremely violent culture… My God. Cannibals?” As she stared upward, Alicia stumbled on a pile of […]
by D.R. Forge Locals called the mushrooms that grew on the sacred resting place of their goddess “The Flesh of The Lady.” Maya was curious. “Beautiful, but the natives won’t go,” William warned Maya, winking. “Let me take you.” And he did. To an unmarked, overgrown grave, thinking she wouldn’t know the difference. The jungle […]
by Jeff Currier Squeezing through the crevice, Kianu emerged into a verdant valley. Golden fish filled languid ponds. Pagodas climbed heavenward. A lost Tibetan paradise! But no inhabitants? A breeze swirled grey powder into drifts across the stonework. Kianu rubbed some between his fingers. Ash perhaps? Inside the largest temple, an intricate sand mandala encircled […]
by Chris Tattersall My humble home had been violated by thieves. They took a worthless souvenir that I had crafted for my now deceased wife. It had only sentimental value. After years, I finally tracked my quarry to a basement. A man sat alone, oddly taking extraordinary care with the stolen object. I watched, as […]
by Kimberly Rei “At the end of the world, there is Redemption.” The priest stalked closer, whispering over and over. Acolytes circled us, trapping me in a shadowed alcove. I didn’t believe the texts. Prophecy riding the tail of a comet? Ridiculous! I had to see for myself. I travelled deep into the desert, hoping […]
by Kristin Lennox The village had been entombed centuries earlier by a flash avalanche. Bodies, perfectly preserved in the ice, were twisted, mouths open in horror…except one: a young woman, standing with hand raised, as if hailing a friend. I visit the site nightly, as my colleagues sleep. My frozen siren… At last, I place […]
by Bridget Holland “I miss my daughter.” The woman’s hands knot together, white-knuckled, desperate. Few find our valley. Fewer consider trading our centuries of peace for a brief lifetime outside. But all may choose freely. “You must leave your notebooks behind. And never speak of Shambhala.” She nods eager agreement. *** The woman and her […]
by Kelly Matsuura The tremors worsen. The stone walls collapse under pressure, trapping us in a vast, labyrinthine crypt, deep under Minoan ruins. Well, not all of us… I draw my knife as wraithlike maidens encircle the group, hungry to receive the promised sacrifice. “What did you do, Renée?” Tomás screams repeatedly. I kneel and […]
by Petina Strohmer The atmosphere is thick and foul, and the rivers run an oily black. The planet’s squealing inhabitants are packed so tightly together, the barren ground beneath their feet is barely visible. They fight among themselves constantly, kicking and screaming, in desperate competition for space, air, everything. The weak, the sick and the […]