The Man With the Golden Eyes by Fundelstein, literature
Literature
The Man With the Golden Eyes
I like art, but I don’t like art galleries. I’d just gotten off of a long, hard case, and I didn’t want to be here tonight. But Uncle David’s been dead-set on me being his plus one, and we owe the Hylands everything. After all, who else appointed him as Chief of Police? At least I had an excuse to buy a new dress— a nice one with a low v-cut and a leg split. I don’t look half-bad in navy blue. While nursing a glass of boozy punch (and wishing it was a beer), my uncle suddenly yanks me away from the bar and pulls me to a corner by the dance floor. “You see that young man over there?” He points to the other side of the room. “The one with the mayor?” I follow his pointed thumb and see Mayor Hyland with a man dressed in black. He’s sporting a familiar shock of carroty-red hair. I can’t get a clear look of his face, but I know him straightaway. “Wait, is that…” “Yeah,” my uncle confirms. “Little Rocco’s back.” Rocco Cassidy Hyland. The second son of Mayor Hyland. An awkward music
A Rush of Sage and Rosemary by Fundelstein, literature
Literature
A Rush of Sage and Rosemary
When I woke up this morning, I knew I had to go out for a ride. Last night was not a good night. While the stable hands take the feed to the horses, I single out Quagmire— my beautiful, smoky-black queen. I ease myself back, sucking in a deep breath. First rule in caring for a horse: leave your drama at home. I’ll have to try my best. I let her eat from her bucket and give her a gentle rubdown with a brush, checking her from head to hoof for any sore muscles. She doesn’t flinch once. A good sign. I lean close and take in a whiff of her mane, sniffing out the bouquet of her mood. I can smell the aroma of hay and dirt, but something else pops open in my nose: the scent of her contentment, the penetrating sweetness of her trust. It registers as sage and rosemary to my senses. After the rubdown, I bend her legs, brushing caked mud and grass out of her hoofs, looking out for rocks. My darling’s fighting fit. More than I can say for me. “Glen?” I go rigid at the sound of Dad’s voice.
Conan Khullar sits on the floor in the middle of his neighbor’s hacker cave— aka her bedroom— and wonders exactly why he’s there at all. Anyone on the team could’ve given him the download. The door’s cracked behind them, and an oddly familiar bouquet of spices wafts in from the kitchen. He's fresh from his advanced programming course, and he's starving. He’s not hoping for a dinner invite. Liat is perched in front of a series of holographic monitors, bundled up in a black over-sized sweater. She types rapidly on the keyboard screen glowing on her desk surface. A cuddly, black robotic dog nuzzles against his leg, swishing its little black tail. A small flash drive is sticking out of its “collar”, streaming information into its computerized brain. “How far along, Kali?” she asks. Kali the dog replies in a deep computer voice. “Approximately ten minutes.” Conan speaks up. “Um… thanks for the upgrade. I’ll make sure to catch up.” Liat gives him a quiet nod and keeps typing. “No
They called us crazy, running off to Costa del Sol in the middle of fall. Yeah, it’s not at its sunniest and there isn’t much going on, but the crowds are non-existent, a school of dolphins keep hanging around the beach, and the locals have a habit of lighting bonfires in the middle of the night. I’m glad we came here. I am so glad Tifa and I decided to come here. Golden Saucer had sounded fun and all, but that place is way too glitzy for peace and quiet. Skying in Icicle Inn was on the table too, but Tifa wasn’t in the mood for cold weather. And Wutai… well, Wutai… “I don’t get it,” Yuffie complained. “It’s not like you’re going on a honeymoon. Why don’t you just come my way? Haven’t you heard about Wutai in the fall? It’s gorgeous around here.” “As tempting as that is,” Tifa replied (with never-ending patience), “we’re supposed to be having some alone time. Having a friend pop in to visit kind of defeats the purpose, don’t you think?” “But Johnny lives in Costa del
A Fleeting Memory of Heroism by Fundelstein, literature
Literature
A Fleeting Memory of Heroism
When Tifa opened her eyes, the world had gone sideways. What? Her vision was spotty, and her lungs burned at every breath. A rock dug into her jaw, another one against her stomach. She tried raise her head, tried to push herself up, but she barely got her fingers to twitch. Where… am I? Why can’t I move? Tifa wasn’t alone. Someone else was laying there, justbeyond her reach. They were nothing but a shadow on the ground. Who’s that? For a moment, her eyes focused, and she saw him. He was laying on his back, lifeless as a rag doll, his body strewn on the ground. His head turned away from her, but she saw his hair. His blond, spiky hair. Cloud? And then, it came back to her in a flash. She had been trying to cross the bridge, but then her foot slipped. She fell. Someone had shouted her name. And then he grabbed her, wrapped his arms around her… “Cloud!” Her voice came out in a weak croak. There was blood underneath him. He was so still. Why? What was he even doing
Cyber Black: Titans 7 - Chapter 13 by Fundelstein, literature
Literature
Cyber Black: Titans 7 - Chapter 13
Bait and Switch: Without a Hitch
“Conan, this had better work,” warned Liat. She had her radio clasped between her hands.
“It will,” he replied. “Don't worry. All you have to do is think of Miss Trig.”
She shifted uncomfortably, doing exactly that. “I suppose you can't tell me if she'll be safe and sound,” she asked. Though she thought it was rather silly to ask someone who couldn't control their predictions.
“I can tell you she won't be very happy,” he offered.
Liat groaned.
00000
From an apartment rooftop in that upscale part of Valonia, Bijou squinted one eye, took aim, and
Liqin and the Fairy Serpent by Fundelstein, literature
Literature
Liqin and the Fairy Serpent
Somewhere in a far off kingdom, there was once a merchant named Xiaosi, who had three beautiful daughters. The eldest of them was Yanmei, the middle child was Mingzhu, and the youngest was Liqin. The merchant doted on them and loved them all dearly.
One day, when he prepared to go on a journey to buy his wares, he asked each of his daughters what gifts she would like him to bring her.
“I wish for a new coat, Father,” said Yanmei.
“I want a pair of earrings with pearls,” said Mingzhu.
When Xiaosi asked his youngest, Liqin simply replied, “Please bring me a flower you have never seen before. I want to use it as