“Guilty on all counts,” read the forewoman, setting off a flurry of reactions and camera flashes. Alice collapsed back into her chair, too stunned to care about decorum, too cold suddenly to react in any other way. It was such bullshit. But everything had gone wrong since she’d met that white tortoise in the FedEx uniform, so Alice didn’t know Read More
Category: Trunkated Tales
Trunkated tales demonstrate uncommon pachyderm proverbs that begin with “elephants never…” Each flash fiction tale features at least one elephant in a strikingly human situation. Most tales also occur in a world similar to our own, with the obvious exception of talking pachyderms having a prominent place in human society. Otherwise, trunkated tales create their own realities.
Transmit
“Damn! They just took out the eastern control tower.” First officer Anders slammed his gloved hand against the bridge display. “They’re definitely coming in force then,” pronounced Captain Caldwell. “All crews to their ships, Anders, and we must alert the planet.” The first officer barely glanced up from his monitor while hurrying to relay the order. “Yes, sir,” Anders replied. “Ensign Read More
Sit
Ellerey wobbled and swayed as he walked. His ears drooped more than usual, he knew, and sweat pooled where his hat met his gray scalp. The big male felt exhausted, but an age-old aphorism kept him on his feet. At least he could rest on the subway. First fifteen minutes of respite until his station, then one last trudge to Read More
Preset
The music thrums, an electric Bhangra beat full of quick hits and sharp highs. It’s catchy, dubstep marrying “Beware of the Boys” with a sonic antigravity that pulls my feet off the floor. I smile, enjoying myself. Aakash, more than enjoying, freaks out as the DJ pulls us through another tonal transition. “Holy balls of Shiva, man!” He yells in Read More
Forewarn
“Southern Gray Style requires mastery of opposing elements, young male.” The elder monkey knuckle-walked languidly around her new student. “Solid earth forms the base, while each movement shows the fluidity of water.” The young male tried to keep his eyes straight, to maintain discipline. But he found his gaze drawn to the older female’s muscular arms, and to the silver Read More
Commit
Teddy sat on the bench and sobbed. Around him, gathering clouds had driven most other people out of the park. But Teddy didn’t care. Pasua’s rejection had ruined the romantic view long before the clouds came. Now, the darkening sky matched Teddy’s mood. Against his will, Teddy’s eyes found the gray, felt box where it lay discarded on the bench. Read More
Forgo
“Whoa, fella, don’t you think it might be time to call it a night? You’re hitting the buffet line pretty hard.” I turn, a fistful of shrimp dangling over my plate. Denise is giving me the hairy eyeball and looking meaningfully at my selections. I discreetly replace the ladle of pasta salad with my trunk, and do my best to Read More
Forfeit
The hockey game was over. Like, it had been over since midway through the second period, nearly fifteen minutes of game time earlier. But there was Elphege, still throwing his weight around out front, trumpeting at his teammates to keep skating, and pissing off the other bench with way-too-hard hits for a blowout. When the ref gave him a double Read More
Admit
Phuoc stepped back and surveyed the field, taking in the neat, orderly rows of plantings. Slowly, a smile peeked out from under his trunk. It was finished. Phuoc and his father had put a lot of work into cleaning up this rocky plateau. Phuoc’s forehead felt raw from the trees he’d pushed over, and his tusks ached from prying up troublesome Read More
Hit
“No! I can’t.” The little pachyderm plopped down dramatically in front of the herd. “Yes, you can,” replied his aunt, not slowing. “We haven’t been walking for long. A big, strong pachyderm could keep going.” “I’m too hurt, I can’t stand. Look.” As his aunt passed by, the little pachyderm tossed himself onto his side, puffing dust into the air. Read More