Image
Nocturnes
Words
Neal Ulen
When : Where
262 DE (2572 CE) : Terra
Following the Transcendence Wars (2300-2310 CE), Terra became an inhospitable world compared to its pre-war state. Regardless, huamnity was forced to eek out an existence there with most survivors of ... More / Infinispace / Möbius City
Freehaven, also known as Möbius City, is the only sanctioned city within Infinispace. It is overseen and managed by the Triocracy (specifically the Techspires). Like almost all of Infinispace it's pr... More
This story resulted from a 250 word micro-fiction contest with the prompts of “horror, looking in a rearview mirror, know”.
Some say life is a series of choices.
“Take a right here,” my fare says as he taps the cab’s partition behind my head.
“Wouldn’t it just be easier with an address?” I glance in the rearview mirror, but I see only shifting shadows caused by the passing city lights. He’s been directing me for what seems like hours. Another long, tedious night awaits.
“Not quite sure where I’m going, but you’ll feel it when you get there.”
“This is going to cost you.” I eye the ever swelling meter.
“I’m not concerned about it. Keep left.”
The dark city slides by as I mechanically follow directions. Buildings and streets blur into the next; a monotony of inhuman concrete.
“Wouldn’t it just be easier with an address?” I glance in the rearview mirror, but I see only shifting shadows caused by the passing city lights. He’s been directing me for what seems like hours. Another long, tedious night awaits.
“Where’re you from?”
“Oh, I get about. Slow down, turn into this alley.”
My hands do his bidding and the cab’s headlights shine down the wet, garbage strewn lane. The knowing itch of familiarity grows within me.
“Turn off the lights.”
“Listen man, I don’t feel like … ”
Loud tapping on the partition cuts off my words. I turn to look back.
“You’re going to need this,” he says to me in a familiar voice, holding up a long, red stained knife. Blood drips from the tip as he points it at a nearby glowing window. “It’s time again.”
I slide the partition window, pick up the knife from the empty back seat, open the cab door and step out.
I say life is just a series of uncontrollable urges.
.FIN.
Images & Words © 2021-2023, Neal Ulen.
Other images/videos cited © to their respective owner(s).
