dreamszilla

Holly falls into a paranoid spiral as the US government intensifies its crackdown on "illegal" immigrants. Image generated with OpenAI "Ma'am," says the man on the phone, "you listen to what I am telling. Very important. Listen me, or you will going to be deported." I've just gotten up to pour myself a glass of Barefoot Riesling. On the TV, Tom Homan is shaking his fist before a crowd. On the laptop, whirring softly on the sofa, a lawyer is giving an impassioned lecture, warning his subscribers that not even our green cards will save us from the coming purge. He knows what he's talking about. He's Nigerian. Once, in eighth grade, I played the part of Juliet in a middle school production. I was a good Juliet. At thirteen, I knew what I was talking about. The way I staggered about on stage, gripping the rubber dagger to my ribs while fake blood spurted - it was a high-value production - gasping, swooning, then collapsing, is e...

Bobby and Ditz steal a van on Christmas Eve, and take a road trip with some unexpected passengers. Image generated with OpenAI "How long, Ditz?" "About an hour," stuttered the shivering voice. "We got time." It was Christmas Eve and snowing large. Hefty flakes of the white stuff blanketed the van, providing natural concealment. "T-tell you the truth Bobby, I didn't even notice what make it was. I was that scared." They were concealed alongside a single-story red brick building just off Veterans Highway. The parking lot was inadequately lit and well off the main drag. A perfect spot to hang unnoticed. They had discovered the van sitting outside a closed ACE hardware store. It was almost new and begging for a ride. "Hey," said Ditz. "You think the cops are on to us?" "Nah. It's Christmas, man. If anyone reports a stolen car tonight, the cop who has to write it up will get nothing but pissed. Work...

Erin dumps her fiancé in Georgia, comes back home to Vermont for Christmas, and falls head over wounded heel. Image generated with OpenAI Erin stood in the narrow aisle of the train, jostled by impatient passengers pressing toward the exit. The faint sway of the car seemed to nudge her thoughts toward the past. Out of old habit, her thumb slid beneath her bare second finger, seeking a ring that hadn't been there for over a year. It was gone - long gone - but the ghost of it still clung to her skin. The attendant's voice broke through her thoughts. "Louden's Crossing! All out!" The door clattered open, and a rush of frigid December air swept inside. Erin stepped down onto the steel stairs, blinking at the sight beyond - holiday lights twinkling in a dozen colors, oversized candy canes flanking the station doors, and the sweet, resinous scent of freshly cut pines. Charming, yes. But where were her parents? Her suitcase wobbled in her grasp as she d...