Greg Caputi sits in a steel chair bolted to the ground, while a single bulb swinging from the ceiling causes the shadows to dance restlessly over the concrete floor. His body is tense, his hands gripping the armrests as though they are his last anchor to reality. Before him, a figure kneels, shrouded in a burlap sack, their identity concealed. The figure is utterly still, save for the rise and fal...

In the end, they were throwing everything in the back of the truck as fast as they could. They launched dishes in boxes. Crash. They threw boxes of books. Thump. There went bags of clothes. Oomph. There was no pattern to it. No sense of order. It was moving by chaos.

And still, the apartment was too full. They were running out of time to be out, and still, it seemed like all the stuff, their stu...

That’s my goldfish. Where did you find it? I lost it in the lake you poor thing. Did you try to fish it out of the water? Hope it remembers me. I think it does remember me even though goldfish has a very short term memory go back to me, it’s mine you can, sell it to somebody else. It’s got those features that it’s my look here. I’ve got the photo to prove it. I cannot depart from my goldfish. I’m ...

Across all of Erliea, no jewel shone as radiantly nor as colorfully as the Ursa Bazaar.

Thousands of luminous tent silks fluttered in the golden desert air, displaying countless hues. Blessed Silver bells tinkled from every tent and stall, joining the rich and rhythmic tones of street performers playing their instruments for bejeweled dancers in the firelight. The scent of incense and spices...

ITALY, JUNE 2024:

I thought it over that night as I stare blankly at my ceiling. Watching the fan blade turn slowly over and over like how I keep playing the events of that night over and over. Or how I’m turning my thoughts over and over unpacking every single detail about what he had said and what I believed.

I rolled over onto my stomach and grabbed my phone from my bedside table.

“Italy...

Detective Sanchez gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white as he pursued the suspect through the bustling city streets. The neon lights blurred into streaks of color, matching the chaos unfolding before him. But amidst the adrenaline rush of the chase, a sudden splash of water caught his attention.

"Aquarium?" Sanchez muttered to himself, puzzled by the unexpected sight.

"A small t...

I looked over the top of the cash register and watched the woman as she walked through the front door. She was holding a plastic Ziploc bag that appeared to contain a wad of paper towels inside.

The woman shut the door and stopped in the middle of the shop. The bell jingled as it slammed behind her. She stood there for a moment and looked around. Her eyes glimmered with joy as she looked at the c...

“That’s my goldfish!”

The words stung my ears. I looked back. “What?” I asked.

So close. I was so close.

Thomas marched up to me. “Its MY goldfish and you know it, uncle! Give it!” He demanded.

I sighed. “No, it’s not. It’s mine, remember? I just let you take care of it for a week.”

He wasn’t convinced. “Well, it hasn’t been a week. And i want to take care of it! Now GIVE IT HERE!” He snatch...

That’s my goldfish!

Only…

A little too alive to be my goldfish.

So what makes me think it’s mine?

A passing resemblance?

A significant spot or color,

That felt at home in my memories?

Why is that goldfish,

That fish I’ve never seen in my life,

Why is it mine?

Why do I think anything belongs to me?

They’ve as much right to it as anyone.

I can’t just steal some poor kid’s goldfish

Because I miss th...

“It’s not your goldfish. This is my friend.” Ethan said, looking down on a small child with disdain. It’s lip was quivering and the ballon that was in its hand had begun floating up into the sky.

“But I won that. You can’t have what I won.”

Ethan sighed. How was this his day? He thought it would be a fight at a carnival. Not arguing with a child about a goldfish.

“Why don’t I win you another...