Here We Are

By Blade Moore

Here We Are is a collection of short stories and flash fiction, most of which stems from simple assignments that got edited to go further. The stories held inside include LGBTQ+ romances, science fiction, fantasy, and realistic fiction.

 

"Mechanical Heart" follows Zinx, a robot, who just wants some peace and quiet after another humiliating defeat. However, His housemate Ajax has a different idea for how the day should go.

 

"Snake in a Bird Cage" is written from the perspective of a pet snake who longs to see the world outside. All it has for reference is a small bird friend who loves to boast about it through a window.

 

In "Eternity" Kara gets a free ring from a garage sale. However, things quickly go down south when the ring begins to give her nightmares and worsen her anxiety. When the ring makes matters even worse, she finds solace in Zee.

 

"Little Performer" follows wannabe dancer Katelyn, who has just broken into an empty theater with her best friend, Francis. She'll spend her time there practicing, but far too focused on perfection.

 

The story "Of Light" follows Ally as she mourns the passing of her friend Ray. She reminisces about the time they shared, the feelings unspoken, when her handmade keychain suddenly appears on her bed.

 

The LGBTQ+ short story "Wheel of Fortune" introduces anxious lesbian Valorie. This year, her town is holding its annual Elk Ridge Festival, and she's excited to take her long-time crush Brielle out on a date. However, the universe seems to do everything it can to stop her from confessing.

 

Zona faces trouble in "Unaccounted For" when government workers poke her about photos that show her committing crimes. She doesn't recognize any of these photos—save for one.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blade Moore
• Release date: Nov 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223313687

Book preview

Introduction

Thank you for the purchase of my e-book. These are my very first stories, written for coursework throughout the beginning of my creative writing degree. Some of these had followed specific prompts. I hope you enjoy it regardless. Thank you again.

Mechanical Heart

The music that blasted in Ajax's room every time they had a break this week was starting to get on his nerves. Zinx wasn't even aware he had those, as a robot. He had just gotten back from another disappointing interaction with his long-time rival.

What was it that caused him to lose every time? He hadn't even the time to think about it without getting interrupted by their radio and he intended to do something about it.  

He needed to be broody in silence after all. 

He barged into Ajax’s work room and looked on as they twirled about with the janitor bots. He'd never admit it, but he wished they would dance with him like that. When one Janitor bot spun Ajax is when they noticed him.  

There was something about how they looked at him that made him feel he should leave at that very moment. They looked at him like that often: like he was their whole world. That soft, fluffy, feeling that came up in his database made him want to scram. He couldn’t compute it, couldn’t wrap his head around it, couldn’t logic his way out of it. 

He turned away before they ran up to him and pulled on his arm. He stared down at their hand before looking back at their eyes. 

Do you need something? he asked as if he wasn’t the one who needed something. His mechanical voice tended to take others off guard. He looked human enough, but he couldn’t sound it. 

But