The Friendly City
"Isn't the air clearer out here?" Field asked, beaming brightly (as if mimicking the late-afternoon sun). "I mean, just ... bolder, you know? Just ... " "Better?" she supplied from the passenger seat. "Well ... yes," was his answer. "Yes." ...
Tomorrow on the Runway
What you don't have hope for ... you lose. And crammed inside Devil's Hollow, hope was hard to hold to. The air was stuffy (and too warm), and there was limited space. Fur and form were squashed into the darkened, metal elevator. The only light...
Shiny Pennies on Parade
Walking (again) ... as they often did. It was the next day. Rather, the morning of the next day. And Ma Sparta was a full five paces ahead of Adelaide and Field. As they walked through Sheridan town, on their way to the high school. As...
Delicately Around the Room
She was like juniper when he breathed her. Or a windy sigh of a day in May. The mouse thought of such things ... as they did (slowly) sway. Lately, it had taken merciful nights to keep the world at bay. To keep this conspiracy away. To keep it...
Two-Step Revival
It was twilight now. And snowing now. And, now, Adelaide and Field were walking the sidewalks (and side streets) of Sheridan. Lit by weak lampposts. Lit by the headlights of trolleys ... and they chug-a-lugged around corners. Here and there. But always...
Something Fire-Like
"I look ... awkward," said Field. "Black looks ... " " ... sleek." " ... morbid." She, standing behind him, replied, "Well, isn't that the point?" She blinked. He nodded uncertainly. It was. The dreams Field had been having ......
Rivers of Suggestion
Ring-ring-ring ... ding-ding-ding! Field froze in place. Fearing. Raising nose to the air ... sniff-sniffing. Nose and whiskers twitching. Ears went ... swivel-swivel. There was no mistaking that sound. And the rumble in the ground. The call...
In the Pale Moonlight
They were quiet this time. As they walked. They whispered to each other, had some hushed conversations, but they were careful to stay in the shadows. Out of the pale moonlight. Though, every few steps, one of them would step into it. By accident. Or...
Ebb and Flow
Akira was on a large, thick branch. Halfway up a sycamore tree. She scanned the area. It was night, the dead of night. And not even the moon was out. She took a deep breath and fired off a few echolocation bursts, which squeaked out into the black....
Bluebirds Fall
The cat and mouse took a booth (the plush seats colored a brick-red). Near the back wall. Near one of the two televisions hanging from the ceiling (playing sports games on low-sound; the Pacers were playing Los Angeles, and Indiana was winning; Field...
Half Acre
"I met a mouse the other day." "Yeah?" "Well, I'd met him before, I guess, but ... those times, we never really talked," Akira said. Belly on bed. Wearing a pink tank-top shirt and some pajama bottoms. Her night attire. It was evening. She...
Betting on Trains
Field sat by a tall, clear window. Looking out, unblinking, at the not-so-clear day. The fog and the clouds ... that got in the way. And the perimeters of persistent patience were evident in his breathing. The obvious clues of him being an outsider. ...