@wipsnips.bsky.social At once, a jealous seagull #nation Erupts in cacophonous ovation, Claps the air then tries to stand A mile above the shining sand. As white confetti screws the skies Some imitate, some criticize.

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPSnips “The weeds outside aren’t from our yard, Eunice. They’re called tumbleweeds because they #tumble. All those weeds outside came here from somebody else’s yard. Not our dirt patch. Somewhere upwind. Probably somewhere far upwind. Maybe from Texas…or even China.”

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPSnips I reminded myself that I must not have an emotional #meltdown. This was ground-breaking science of an unprecedented scale. More than ever, I needed to be a part of it. I needed him to see that I was still a competent scientist.

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPSnips A final orange spark glowed briefly on a solitary black wick, and then exhaled a tiny #stream of smoke and winked out, joining the general gloom.

@wipsnips.bsky.social Now approaching the throne, head bowed in pretended deference, his cat eyes flitted from side to side to acknowledge those awaiting his #signal. In lieu of a wink, he gave a sly smile, displaying a single fang. The agreed-upon signal would be his biting off the queen’s head.

@wipsnips.bsky.social “No, no. Volpians are not interested in Earth as a permanent residence. It’s too far from Volpia. If contracted, however, we would gladly become custodians during the terraforming process but expect final #payment when the new residents take possession.”

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPSnips He tried leaning against the door, but it seemed to press back, opening even further. Exhausted and realizing it was hopeless, he abandoned the #effort, shuffled back to his chair and then slumped into it. “No one there,” he said.

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPSnips Mr. Locke tried to stand, but failed, the effort having triggered a fit of coughing. Both daughters looked alarmed, but Hannah rushed to his side, and made him sit back down. “Are you alright sir?” asked the geologist sympathetically. “Shall I #call 9-1-1?”

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPSnips “A #month isn’t so long if you consider that someone needed to clean up all the blood,” Veronica reasoned.

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPsnips Meadowsweet smiled and replied, “And your own natural beauty is enhanced by the wood sorrel and oxlip in your garland, Sister. They #distract from the bald spots.”

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPsnips Putting down the laundry basket, she latched the door and then dragged a kitchen chair to #wedge under the knob.

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPSnips "No, there’s something else. Laura and I have been hearing noises coming from outside. Right, Laura? Like something knocking on the #exhaust vent! Clunk! Clunk! Clunk!"

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPsnips When he had insisted to the salesperson that the robot’s face be “ordinary looking, at best”, she had assured him that the “Alice” model was very average-looking, with relatively small eyes, wide nostrils and long #teeth.

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPsnips The next morning, as she was detouring around a stalled big- #rig, a gang of bandits had stopped Diana at gunpoint, pulled her out of the truck, then stolen it and all the supplies it contained.

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPsnips Calculating that the darkest night of the month was imminent, he made a #mental note to confirm that all his preparations were ready. It was during the new moon when the demons always attacked.

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPsnips However unpleasant the odor they daily imparted to the hallways and #elevator, he realized it must be a hundred times worse inside their apartment.

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPsnips Steeling herself with a #sigh, she exited the car and headed across the snowy yard. Something caught her eye as she neared the porch. “What are those yellow spots?” she asked over her shoulder.

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPsnips The bridge furnishings had plainly been designed for human operators: two chairs equipped with safety belts, levers for manipulating robot-limbs and weapons, and a control #panel with enough levers, knobs and lights to shame a casino.

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPsnips The head vanished, but no blood gushed forth, nor did the body #collapse. It remained both standing and bowed, like a scarecrow unmoored from its cross.

@WIPSnips.bsky.social #WIPSnips #effective “Your final speech was very rousing, sir. Very #effective.” “More #effective than my strategy?” “I never said that, sir.” “But it’s true.” “We were very unlucky.” “Betrayed,” the general grunted through gritted teeth.

@vss365hq.bsky.social #vss365 #glove #haiku Who would like this glove, Married until recently? Fingers point nowhere.

@vss365hq.bsky.social #vss365 #broom At the sound of a horse neighing in the distance, she excitedly set down the #broom, pulled open the door, and stepped outside to scan the horizon.

@vss365hq.bsky.social #vss365 #console If Kyle was there—her lazy brother—she knew she would forgive him everything. They would patch things up on the spot; she would cry in his arms and he would #console her about losing Terence.

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPSnips "I believe I can reach your G-spot from here," he said, pushing the #button marked "G" for "Garage" with a mischievous smirk.

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPSnips “Of course she’s there. Like all ghosts, she’s just thin. That’s how they pass through walls. But their flesh materialises in magic #soup. May I assume you already have #soup?”

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPSnips “For someone who died recently, you seem pretty #adept already at being a ghost,” Meadowsweet snarked. “Myrtle said I was a fast learner.” “You’re one up on me. I still haven’t learned how to die.”

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPSnips Laura’s eyes lit up as she peered through the glass. “Are those faeries?” she cooed. “I thought you were lying when you said your #garden was full of them!” “Now you can see for yourself,” said Ben, folding his arms.

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPSnips As tears drained the last light out of his tired eyes, he would feel the familiar nudging of one of his faithful homunculi crawling into the bed to #snuggle at his feet. "Zat you, Yerglupp?" he would mumble, his eyelids too heavy to lift.

Now available in eBook* (all major platforms), 6x9 paperback or hardcover, and US Letter-sized hardcover.* *For the first time. jotinthedark.com#hungrything

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPSnips “Hotei is merely lazy,” countered Daikokuten. Still, he aimed the evil-warding #symbol on his mallet directly at the monk to check for an adverse reaction. “Knock it off!” said Hotei, struggling awkwardly to pout and chew rice at the same time.