Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Futurism.
Heart Case
Gully came to, gripped by a terrible sense of panic, and sat bolt upright in his chair, gnashing his teeth and pulling at his hair with both hands. A name was caught on the tip of his tongue. He wanted to scream it, but it wouldn't dislodge. And then the terror passed, like a swift cloud moving across the sun, and everything cleared. The room around him swam out of the gloom, and he saw dark wood floors, mirrored walls, a vast chandelier of gold and crystal hanging from a chain, glimmering in the light of a hundred candles. Gully took a great shuddering breath and wiped a sheen of cold sweat from his forehead.
By Jeffrey Aaron Miller9 years ago in Futurism
Artifacts
Artifacts A common trait that many Science Fiction, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy aficionados seem to share is the love of things. Figurines, statues, props, and day to day objects adorn with our obsessions. They clutter our shelves, walls, table tops, and really any surface that can hang, hold, or display these things. This is not an uncommon behavior for fans of any genre or domain. Sports fans have their stashes of trinkets and garb displaying their colors and love of the game. However, the proverbial geeks of Science Fiction, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy seem to take this to an extraordinary measure.
By Nickolas Rudolph9 years ago in Futurism
Amulet of Stars
The storm was progressively getting worse as Arwen was making her way through the woods on the southern tip of Sorengard. She hated the rain, hated the cold, and especially hated getting her hair wet. She was traveling to the small town of Rivendare from a ‘business’ trip, and that business usually meant meeting the tip of the sword strapped to her back. She was Arwen Aelthar, daughter of Alastor Aelthar, the King’s Hand. Her father met his untimely death many years ago to the inhabitants of the neighboring Elven kingdom of Aldarlan, which was approximated on the other side of a vast forest known as the Woods of Moore which separated the two kingdoms. Just thinking about it made Arwen clench her jaw, and ever since that day she vowed to slaughter any unworldly creature that crossed her path. She made her living by becoming a sellsword, but instead of going after rogue humans she went after varmints that didn’t belong to her human realm. Her services were lent to those in need of exterminating creatures ranging from kelpies, pucas, goblins, trolls, and anything else that wasn’t considered mortal. There were hundreds of these creatures and more all over the vast continent of Talemdor, and she’d be lying if she didn’t admit that she took great pleasure in putting an end to them. It was the least she could do after their kind murdered her father.
By Taylor Buquoi9 years ago in Futurism
Grandfather's House
Billy’s fingers crept like spider’s legs over the coarse, pitted surface of the door, tracing the cracks and crevices of many chipped layers of paint, inching toward the big brass knob. The clatter of dishes in the kitchen sink echoed down the hall.
By Jeffrey Aaron Miller9 years ago in Futurism
Animare
From the Diary of the Imagineer, December 16, 1966: It's like he knew. He knew we would need him, but I have to wonder if we are up to the task. When we recreated Lincoln, we worked with what history had left us, from his life mask to his writings. It is the most accurate recreation of the human figure ever seen, but what we have been tasked with at Ayefive will make that seem like a wind-up toy if we are successful. He left us with volumes more than what history recorded of Lincoln, but right now our project is impossible. We don't even know what we will have to invent to see it to completion. But like he said, doing the impossible – it's kind of fun.
By L. Christopher Bird9 years ago in Futurism
'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' is British Humor at its Driest
I had long seen The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in bookstores, but it seemed too long to read and the title too eclectic to classify as comedy or science fiction. 109 minutes of DVD I could handle, and while the science fiction backdrop doesn’t seek any deeper understanding, the comedy made me feel as an honorary member of the British Empire and the British Humor that goes with it. In other words, plot, cast, special effects, whatever – just the passive/aggressive intellectual and sometimes cryptic delivery of the dialogue makes this 2005 film well worth watching.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Futurism
Seeing Through Doors
Sometimes when the door opened, it coincided with another door at the end of the hall opening. When that happened, if Desset pressed himself against the far wall, he could see outside. The glimpse never lasted more than a couple of seconds, but even the briefest image of yellow sunlight on white pavement and neatly trimmed green grass lingered in his mind for days. At night, when he was locked in place, he dreamed of wind in his hair and warmth on his face. He always woke from these dreams in tears, gnashing his teeth to keep from wailing.
By Jeffrey Aaron Miller9 years ago in Futurism
This Sublime and Bizarre Buddhist Sculpture Park is Dedicated to Alan Turing
In Wicklow, Ireland, about 50 kilometers south of Dublin, weary travelers with hungry minds can find a one of a kind park filled with beautifully handcarved statues of Hindu gods and figures, all dedicated to the memory of computer programmer Alan Turing. Victor’s Way Sculpture Park is the result of 25 years worth of money slinging by a wealthy buddha-chaser who spent his inheritance commissioning karmically charged statuary.
By Mickey Rivera9 years ago in Futurism
