Worthing Flash

TesCraft©55625 lands at night and reanimates me. I open a ValueNutriBreak©, eat, depilate, then run a system diagnostic. The planet should sustain life but TesCraft©55625 cannot access further data. It is nine months since TesCraft©55625 showed an ERROR message and mapped an unfamiliar star system. I can only hope TesCorp4© 's colony has reported my non-appearance. My supplies will not last and I do not have the codes to access the cargo. It is against TesCorp© policy. Dawn emerges and I stare at the plethora of green which fills the screen. * The cold hits first. Then the wet. But the air—I take in huge gulps, inhale until I’m giddy. So much green. And the trees—all trees on TesCorp7© are in TesRec© domes. None are as resplendent as these. The wet passes, and as unguarded radiation heats the day an eerie polyphonic resonance penetrates my ears. I activate TesCraft©55625’s cloaking device from my wristband then head downhill, towards a dark green mass. The mass is thous...

Enduring Together Meghashri Dalvi As the searing sun rose over the cracked streets of Greenfield, old Mr. Patel shuffled to the town square. His mind drifted back to the days when the rivers flowed and the fields were lush with green. He sighed and leaned on his cane. "Good morning, Mr. Patel," Sara called out cheerfully, despite the scorching heat. She was often the first one at the well, smiling, eager, and ready to help. "Morning, Sara," he replied, his voice gravelly with age. "Remember when this square was full of market stalls? Fresh fruits, vegetables... the aroma of bread baking." Sara smiled wistfully. "Well, haven't I heard the stories of those wonderful days?" "They were wonderful." The old man's eyes glistened. "I would come here every Sunday with my wife. We'd buy apples, as fresh as the morning dew." Young Jose waved from a distance. "Mr. Patel, I saved you a spot in line!" "T...

"Mrs Darcy Johannes was convicted today of the horrific murder of five...." I turned off the radio. "What's up, Syd?" said Beatrice. "Our daughter, Darcy. Her name is cursed, tainted with murder." "Well, Syd she hasn't been registered yet. We could choose another name." "Such as?" "I quite like Myra." "Like Myra Hindley?" "Or Ruth?" "Like Ruth Ellis?" "Well, what about the old Queen's name?" I registered our daughter as Elizabeth and came home. I even put on the wireless. "You can't chop your mother up in Massachusetts, "And Lizzie Borden knows because she tried." "Oh my goodness," said Beatrice   Derek McMillan is the author of the cheerfully-entitled "Murder from Beyond the Grave" which is available as a paperback, kindle or audio book Murder from Beyond the Grave Click here

End Game This is the end game. “If only, I reported being sick, when I had mild symptoms, if only I was more careful, if only…” The thoughts echoed in my head as I lay on the ventilator, struggling to breathe, fighting for life. The patient in my next bed suddenly deteriorated. By the time, the anaesthetist will be ready, donning the PPE kit, it might be too late. I removed the mask and jumped to action. Within minutes, I intubated the patient and was back in bed. I am a doctor, I will do my duties till my last breath. Dr. Bhargavi Chatterjea Bhattacharyya,