November 2025

On our way back to the library, AJ suddenly got quiet. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “We should probably hurry up,” AJ said, eyes unfocused. “There’s some people coming this way. They don’t look friendly.” We hurried our pace and once we were back at the library, we began preparing to leave immediately. Coming down to […]

Seeing Sillwood as a hollow shell of what it once was never got any easier. It had been my home for my entire life, from a child to adulthood, and now it felt like I was staring at a body in a casket, so lifelike I believed it would spring to life at any moment.

A few days later, I followed Nell’s emotions to a large gymnasium within the H.E.S.P. compound. It was an impressive space, large enough to host sporting events with a running track that ran around the outer ring of the gym that encircled an elaborate multi-leveled obstacle course. There were all sorts of rooms, climbing ropes,

I saw you dancing. Emotions swirled like dust in the air. Nothing settled. “I’ve gotten glimpses before,” Nell said tentatively, “but I didn’t want to push it or ask about it. It felt like you didn’t want to share.” The irony of that statement wasn’t lost on me. I’d been feeling the same way about

The Director brought us to a private room with seating and a table to one side with refreshments. Nell idled by the snacks without eating anything. She just toyed with the cutlery while I eyed the Director, trying to get a handle on what they truly wanted. The Director sat patiently, stirring their cup of

And more importantly, a way to neutralize them? The words from the silhouette of the man seated above us sent a shiver down my spine. Did this man realize how violent he sounded? He wanted a solution and thought the best thing would be some sort of figurative pesticide for Shapers. “I will get to

The Director left us to our own devices while we awaited the tribunal. Richard and Vanessa came up to where Nell and I were sitting quietly watching the snowfall. “The crew is free to go, apparently,” Richard said. “That’s great,” I said, forcing myself to meet his eyes. Richard just stood there, frowning. I sighed.

Conrad’s long arms and towering stature claimed the space, even blocking out the light for a moment before he relinquished his grip on the table and stood up straight. I hated how claustrophobic I was feeling. I hated the sudden dimming of my connection to Nell. Conrad had rattled her somehow and now she had

AJ struggled as the faceless H.E.S.P. operatives grabbed him. “We’re the fuckin’ reason people are still alive!” he shouted, voice cracking with emotion.  I raised my hands. “Don’t struggle, AJ. Don’t tell them anything either. Let the grownups handle this.” “Fuckin cops!” “AJ,” I repeated, waiting for him to look at me. “Hey. Will you

Throwing aside a chunk of stone, I paused to wipe the sweat from my face using my t-shirt, terribly aware of how badly I needed a shower. It was day three of the aftermath and the water in the house Nell and I were using as home base had stopped working. We had made sure