The Extra Room by Cristian Leata

The Muji phase had begun in summer. She’d go there on Saturday mornings, study each object, and fill her basket with shirts, notebooks, lamps, anything she’d, by some undisclosed decision tree, deemed worth buying. The people at the store knew her, though they never showed it overtly – she could…

Solar Time by Jean George

My body was always trying to keep up with my mind. I wish my body would carry me. Instead, I have to drag it. The damp cold made it all worse. I tried to fight it by contracting my muscles. But I’d heard that was pointless – counterproductive, in fact.

Genie and Goose of 18, Dursden Street by Ruchi Sneha

Tomorrow, the papers will finally post an obituary about her: amateur artist, full-time freelancer and weekends-only volunteer at the Art History Museum. Friend of Kim Jeong, Director of said museum.

Genevieve Sutton, they would say, was featured in some local art magazines and had a few original pieces that [may…

Someone Was There by Denise Atzori

“HELP, PLEASE!”

The chattering of Sam’s teeth made it hard for him to get the words out, but he carried on screaming, panicking and staring at the discarded Gregg’s bag that someone left hours before, when the winter sun was still smirking at them.

Narrow Walkways and Still, Grey Puddles by Wakonyo Ayeko Gachanja

The sound of a cock crowing pierces through the thick blanket of silence.

My eyes snap themselves awake, looking for a fixed point of familiarity. On the chair slightly to my left is my outfit for the day. Black sweatpants. Black t-shirt. Black hoodie. Black sneakers. My courage. Today is…

The Boy Who Danced with the Fishes by Dakshika Cooray

Nestled into a hillock, emerald green and trimmed in a giggling lace-white spring, the estate bungalow he called home, overlooked four hundred acres of a tea plantation. It belonged to one, Mister Peacock, who looked nothing like a peacock. Kelum would know.

Grey Matter by Irenosen Akharele

I have always wondered what it would be like to eat my brain. Not quite in a suicidal way, nor in a scientific way – more a thing of idle fascination.

I imagine it will be a rainy day, and I will be dressed in pink, craving something warm.

Crossword by Ian Carass

They managed to arrive at the cafe, walking at pace, without getting soaked.

The sun had not made much of an effort that morning, as the year drifted into dilapidation. A thin blear of cloud covered the sky; a fretful, cold drizzle fell intermittently. The sea, always there in the…