James Pyles's Blog

“Come along, Sam.” Brodie was the oldest guard in the prison, the one who’d slip you an extra cigarette or talk to you some. Sam was glad it was Brodie walking the last mile with him. “No pardon, huh?” Sam’s last joke was lame but he was terrified. Six armed guards walked behind them and […]

It was an obvious trap. The robot was merely waiting for the right time to capture the children who thought it was just playground equipment and take them up to the mothership for experimentation. They might be kept on the aliens’ planet for decades and then be returned aged not at all. “You watched ‘Independence […]

Karl and Emma held hands as they walked toward their secret meeting place in back of an abandoned house. The two teenagers lived in a terrible place and time, but love always emerges strongest in youth. “What are you doing?” Emma giggled as Karl stopped suddenly. He let go of her hand and cupped the […]

Michael stopped, startled not so much by the shocking red, but that something beautiful could exist against the background of ugliness. It had been so long since he’d let himself see anything in the world except injustice and the need for vengeance and retribution. He looked at the flower and remembered his mother before she […]

“I’m getting too old for this.” Jack wanted to put on a pair of sunglasses to beat the desert glare as he drove but he didn’t wear contacts anymore and needed his regular glasses to see pretty much anything. “Up and down this damned freeway,” he complained. “I was raised in the desert.” He eased […]

The hiking trail had been a refreshing interlude but he always came back to the same place. Facing the dehumanizing blocks of motel rooms, Richard sagged wishing he could stay among the trees with a roof of clouds and sky. But she didn’t like to camp, said sleeping bags made her itch, and motels served […]

They called it “Freak Alley” for a good reason. It was summer when they faced each other. Zephyr realized he didn’t quite remember the argument’s source. Then he saw Jaison at the other end and his blood virtually boiled recalling something about a matter of honor. “You ready for it?” Jaison yelled with scorn. “Who […]

He watched her sitting in the same chair she always occupied. This was the resting spot on her daily walks where she watched the island. It and the empty chair beside her held terrible memories that would forever possess her. “Lily.” He called her name but of course she couldn’t hear him. In a few […]

Charles and Leon’s white and black fingers intertwined while exploring Eureka Springs. “Glad we got here a few days early for their Pride event,” said Charles. “Uh huh,” muttered Leon. They started walking down a set of rainbow steps. Charles was fairly trotting while Leon let go of his hand and slowed to a stop. […]

“I really hate these damn toys, Bob,” said Hank the propane barbecue on the left. “Me too,” replied Bob, the one on the right. “They make too much damn noise and that motorized one is especially irritating. Kids should not be disturbing the sanctity of the backyard. “Shall we consume them?” Hank asked eagerly. “Won’t […]