by Jonathan Tolstedt The contractor pointed out three places where nails I had driven into studs had broken through the sides of the noggins. Three nails out of how many thousands I had put into this house? He told me to fix them and went on about how he puts a part of himself into […]
by Stephen Herczeg I can’t believe she did it again. Sixth time this week. Rule One: Always expect someone is leaving the elevator. Does she care? No. Every time the doors open, in she charges, regardless of whether you’re getting out or not. She’s like a virus. Others drawn by her stupidity follow her in […]
by Kristin Lennox Doug’s head snapped forward as he woke with a snort; the greasy pizza box in his lap fell to the floor. He squinted at the sun streaming through the tiny basement windows: mid-afternoon? But what day? Doug cracked his neck and set his controller on the desk…or tried. The gamepad was stuck […]
by Bridget Holland Gabby smacked her torch against the hydra’s severed neck. Flesh sizzled. The air stank. “Last head!” Luke called through the murk. “Keep up!” As she lunged forward, a coil clamped onto her shoulder. She fell, swamp water closing over her head. Her health points flashed red. Blackness. *** Her mother, shaking her […]
by Crystal N. Ramos I didn’t do it. She was my daughter, officer. I was playing some kind of new VR game. Really immersive. See, you run around stealing cars and stuff and try to evade the law. The game has this mechanic where you can pick up a prostitute, gain health, and then kill […]
by Grace Quon Derek grabbed the shotgun from the table. Six shells. Guttural snarls erupted in the hallway. He burst the first zombie’s head open like a rotten melon, but the next one was already charging. Bring it on, assholes. A minute later, six festering corpses littered the floor. TUTORIAL COMPLETED What? ExtremeReality had hyped […]
by Nina Miller You saw me selling wares from a cart. Watched my bosom jiggle as I cried over my pies. Asked me what was wrong, and I told you of my sister kidnapped by necromancers. I needed a knight errant and offered what I had. You obliged. You entered the cave and negotiated with […]
by Fiona M. Jones “Damien.” It was the Enemy. “What—” Damien dodged away, throwing chairs to slow the Enemy’s advance. He needed to level up, exchange the bread knife in his jacket for a machete. He headed for the Great Hall, ducked into the equipment cupboard, but the Enemy had seen him—had him cornered now. […]
by Liam Hogan “There’s a new video game, ADikT, available on the darknet. We think it’s killing users.” Anders half-rolled his eyes before catching the chief’s stony gaze. “What’s this one do? Drag players into the game world? Inflict the virtual damage they get there on their real bodies?” “We’re not sure. Hence: a case […]
by Greg Schwartz “Josh!” His mom stomped into his room. “I’ve been calling you.” “Sorry, Mom. Trying to kill this monster.” Josh feverishly manoeuvred the controller, his face contorted in concentration. “You’ve been playing all day,” she said. “Time to turn it off.” “Two minutes,” Josh pleaded, eyes never leaving the screen. She yanked the […]