Califia

A chilling four-day diary left on a soldier's cell phone tells a tale which pushes the boundaries of our understanding of the human heart. What nineteen-year-old private Harmon was to learn about the powers of desire in the last moments of his life is a lesson for all of us. For he was to experience the rarefied gift that what we will eventually see is that which we most desire.[As a standard disclaimer, the characters in this story are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, including those who might be similarly named, living or deceased, is purely coincidental.]…

Califia

ODE TO THE SPECIAL CHILD:No Prize this Year for the Ethically Gifted.Jeremy was a boy labeled by many as "special." Few knew, however, just how special he really was. This flash fiction (just 1000 words) is dedicated to all those in the world who have been judged or categorized as "special." Special in the negative sense, that they may lack certain expected abilities. But it is a stigma unfairly given them by their own myopic societies--people limited themselves in perceiving phenomenal talents which we can truly call "special." This is the case of one such boy. It is a short tale with a huge message. That we should recognize and acknowledge our most essential talents---found often where we least expect them. Jeremy's case is a lesson for all of us.Read this Flash Fiction and pass it on to others. The world needs more tolerance of diversity. And to learn to embrace and celebrate Emotional Intelligence: https://www.wattpad.com/story/68183543-ode-to-the-special-child…

Califia

Sometimes when fate strikes, we wish to question it forever. Unfortunately, there's a place where it can happen---eternally. Laura experiences this, and more, as she remembers her first Christmas in Hell."Eternity is long time, especially near the end." ---Woody Allen[Written as an entry to the Weekly ChickLit Challenge. Prompt #3]…

Califia

Cynics of love take notice! There's a sassy personality out there you can totally relate to. And like our protagonist who had navigated through life as a disbeliever in anything smacking of romance, his life was changed forever via his smartphone. It was an epiphany in the form of Siri, the ubiquitous Apple iOS assistant, couched in all her whimsical and ironic glory. Over time, and through a series of our character's mundane inquiries--gradually waxing more personal, Siri's tepid charm and intellect eventually bewitched his lonely heart. Romance, it seems, can be be a strange and beguiling force.[Submitted as @Mystery's Valentines Contest 2020]…

Califia

While cyberspace is vast, its myriad of voices limitless . . .there are some out there which can never be explained. . .A haunting series of messages on Twitter following the death of her boyfriend sends Janet into a split with her friends and family.…