Nothing is Ever Promised

By M. R. Doerner

In this collection, siblings face uncertain futures, strange adversaries, and impossible choices as well as their sometimes painful relationships with one another. In one story, the global community celebrates a monumental achievement, but one astronomer just wants her brother to know the truth. In another, a cowboy's siblings want to put him out of business, but he won't go down without a fight. An underachieving banjo player upstages his FBI-agent brother on an intergalactic stage. An old elephant says goodbye to her beloved sister. Finally, twin superheroes confront the limitations of their powers and the shady organization that made them who they are.

These tales, set in desolate landscapes and alternate realities, draw readers into futures both bleak and beautiful as the stories themselves increase in length and complexity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jan 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9781543959086

Book preview

Author

Collaboration Day

The hotel ballroom buzzes with laughter. I stand near the entrance, feeling like a stranger. Like my presence alone will destroy the jubilant mood that fills the space. I know all these people. I’ve worked with them day and night for months. Yet they’ve taken on some uncanny quality I can’t recognize and I find it unsettling. Just when I’ve made up my mind to leave, Priya separates herself from the crowd, smiling as she makes her way to me.

Isn’t it strange to see everyone smiling so much? she asks. That must be it, that strangeness. When we were working, there was never much to smile about. I hardly recognize them now that they’re showered, well-rested, and happy.

I try and fail to think of something light. I can only say what I came here to say. Priya, I need to tell you something.

It’s too loud in the ballroom to really talk. I lead her out to the hallway where the noise of the party fades to a murmur.

What’s the matter? she asks, concerned.

Last night, I was going over the data I got from your team and—

She interrupts me, Khady, we’re at a party. In our honor. Can’t you stop thinking about work for one night?

No, I can’t.

We can talk about it on Monday.

Priya, your calculations were wrong.

What calculations?

The detonation. I reviewed the trajectories again and again. The force of the blast was insufficient to prevent a collision.

I had thought she would react badly. Imagining this conversation in my head, I predicted anger, shock, denial. I thought she would demand evidence. I had prepared for that. Instead, she sighs and looks away. I know.

I am the one to flash through anger and disbelief. How?

We knew right away, of course. She shrugs, like this is any old conversation, like I’m making something out of nothing. But she won’t meet my gaze.

But your department confirmed mission success. I know what she is saying but I cannot fathom it.

We did. It wasn’t an easy decision. She looks for a moment as if she might cry, but sniffs and continues, But after careful consideration, we decided that if our final act was not one of salvation, it would be one of merciful deception.

I shake my head. "That makes no sense. We need to get back to work, send another rocket— we should not be having a party." My voice echoes down the empty hallway.

When Priya finally meets my gaze, her face is full of unbearable pity. You know we only had the one chance.

Then you should have admitted it. I can’t keep the tremor from my voice. "You lied to everyone. You lied to me." I can barely breathe. Priya just looks back at me with sympathetic eyes.

Khady, you’ve seen the projections. This is an extinction-level event. What would be the point of causing a panic?

Don’t you think that people have a right to choose how they spend their final hours?

"They have chosen, she says, raising her voice for the first time. They just don’t know it. Turn on the news. The whole world is celebrating Collaboration Day. People are taking in strangers, offering up their homes. Today there was no act of war. Every single person on Earth is filled with hope."

But it is false hope.

There’s no difference anymore. Please, let’s go back and enjoy tonight. And take comfort in the fact that certainty is a myth. Isn’t that what we always used to say? We may yet be wrong.

Instead of following her back to the party, I take the elevator to the rooftop terrace. I need air. I need space. It is a