Here is a list of all the authors flashing this week, along with a brief snippet from their latest free work. Click the link after the snippet to be taken to the complete story on the author’s home page
In Pieces #20 (6.4) by Julie Lynn Hayes
“Abby, what’s wrong?” Ryan asked. His question was immediately echoed by Ben, who was already moving toward the distraught girl. Ryan quickly followed in his wake.
Abby seemed surprised to see them. Maybe she’d assumed everyone was in bed by now. She swiped at her cheeks, but said nothing. Ryan thought he heard her sniffle. Maybe she was trying to pull herself together before she said anything. Or maybe she just didn’t want them to know what was going on. When she did speak, it was in her usual calm voice.
“I didn’t know you guys
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Disassembly Required: Part 5 by Sarah Hayes
Imagine time.
Or, at least a representative image of what scientists describe as time, as what a human brain perceives time as. Maybe it’s a clock, or a sun dial. Maybe it’s a piece of string that stretches forever, or an eternally long slinky. Maybe it’s even a blue police box, its light flashing as it fades out of vision.
Take those images of time and shake them until they disappear like so much magnetic fuzz on an Etch-A-Sketch. Imagine time as an amorphous blob
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Captain had allowed himself to be distracted for a moment, and then he’d been back to business. I wasn’t nearly as strong as he was. It was a good thing I wasn’t in charge of anything, because all I could do was eat, drain the cup of blessedly cool water I was given and then another as soon as it was refilled, and watch him. He was so sure, listening to the reports the crew gave, considering each one, and issuing orders that took us out of the berth in port and set us on the original course to rendezvous
Here Kitty Kitty: Chapter 12.2 by Carol Pedroso
Carl glared at Kitryn when Simon turned his back. He knew the pesky cat was trying to goad him into doing something embarrassing and that was never going to happen.
He clapped his hands together, relishing the fact it made Kitryn jerk suddenly and waited for Simon to turn to him.
“Right, I think first I should run you through some exercises, Simon. That way I’ll know how far along you are and I won’t be teaching you things you already know. Let’s head for the training room and start by testing your physical capabilities.”
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Adrift: Chapter 6 by J. Alan Veerkamp
“You know exactly what I mean.”
Franc’s dark gaze locked onto Torrins and the two resumed the unspoken communication which took on a new intensity and flared into an unheard argument. A test of wills, helmsman challenging the captain. Arad wondered if they were going to share their ideas or continue to communicate through body language and psychic streaming. Although Arad had the impression neither man had the requisite hardware installed or would allow themselves to be connected to any corporate network in such a fashion.
Wednesday Briefs 