Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 42 (August 2004). Illustration: “Cyclops” by Romeo Esparrago On Christmas Day in 1998, at 4:45 PM, somewhere within the country of Indonesia, Sidney Jones died of a massive coronary. He had known of the facts of this reality since birth, and had lived his life with a purpose to … Continue reading The Cyclops Syndrome, by Anthony R. Heffernan
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 41 (March 2004). Illustration: “Mad Avenue” by Mike "Warble" Finucane A Coke sign swings in sand-driven wind and tumbleweeds race across interstate desolation like desert demons on a cactus hunt. A small parking lot holds a few pickups that are lacking operators due to low visibility and hazardous road … Continue reading Mad Avenue, by Keith Crews
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 41 (March 2004). Illustration: “Iceman” by Romeo Esparrago "Now, let me get this straight, the guy froze to death in his apartment in July?" Vince Minelli asked as they exited the elevator on the fourth floor, his brown eyes wide in amazement. The scar that ran diagonally down his … Continue reading The Iceman, by Brian C. Petroziello
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 41 (March 2004). Illustration: “Ghosts” by Romeo Esparrago A stranger dressed in furs and denim had entered the store, a string of gutted rabbits tossed over his shoulder. A young boy dressed only in furs was in step behind him. "Hello," Marcus Halloran offered. There were only half a … Continue reading The Ghosts of Tedjai, by Tamara Wilhite
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 39 (September 2003). Illustration: “"Circuit Box"” by Ehrad Looking upwards from the rooftop into low, heavy clouds, Joseph watched the torrential rain descend in sparkling streams, reflecting the myriad of lights from the city streets below, refracting the spotlights that swept through the evening sky. Beautiful, he thought. Water … Continue reading Death on the Wire, by Graham Adair
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 39 (September 2003). Illustration by Alan Rabinowitz / RABZ Illustration The pounding of the grey mares' hooves on beaten earth, I hardly heard. Eight sinuous and grime-smeared legs had hammered on at length, pulling my carriage to the muffling cover of a wooded dell -- then out from the … Continue reading Carrick Castle, by John Bailey
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 39 (September 2003). Illustration: “"Luxorite"” by Romeo Esparrago The wind howls down the slope of the mountain, gaining in intensity as it cascades over rocks and fissures in its way. Winds that rush like the Dread Horde through skeletal pines and birches, lifting their petrified limbs to the sky … Continue reading One Hundred Twenty Three Degrees, by Jo A. North
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 39 (September 2003). Illustration: “"Vilos"” by Romeo Esparrago There once was a simple young man named Jacob, who lived with his mother on a small farm. One day Jacob's mother said, "My son, the land has not yielded enough crops for us to pay next month's rent. I want … Continue reading Jacob and the Sorceress’s Daughter, by Justin R. Lawfer
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 39 (September 2003). Illustration: “"Game"” by Romeo Esparrago The canvas tent flapped softly in the warm evening breeze. It was a breeze laden with the smell of decay. Jahrel wrinkled her nose at the stench, but said nothing. In this part of the city there were worse things than … Continue reading The Game of the Phoenix, by Arthur Sánchez
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 39 (September 2003). Illustration: “"Blochead"” by Romeo Esparrago Lost in the woods, Roger and Walter were two vagabonds searching for shelter from the relentless cold wind that was tormenting them. As they reached a clearing, they were surprised to find a decrepit castle before them, almost indiscernible under the … Continue reading Eternal Grief, by Marcelo Hipolito & Marcelo Machado
