Corner Bar Magazine Volume 6 Number 2

Page 1 — DALLAS: A CLOSE ENCOUNTER by EXTRATERRESTRIALLY PHILLY. T Philly Loyd loves fat chicks and cheap beer, though not necessarily in that order. Loyd has worked for Forbes and McGraw Hill, each time running for his life as if waking up from a nightmare. His dream is to one day move to Hollywood and win a Razzie. Loyd lives in Dumbass, Texas. [email protected]. Page 5 — MAKEUNDER MAVEN by Douglas J. Ogurek. Publications have rejected Mr. Ogurek’s work more than 1,500 times. However, The Paris Review, considered one of the world’s leading literary journals, thanked him for submitting a manuscript in one (form) let - ter. Another highly respected journal, The Yale Review, stated, “We want to thank you for your kindness in letting us see your work.” More at www.douglasjogurek.weebly.com. Twitter: @unsplatter Page 17 — NIGHT CREATURE by K. A. Williams. K. A. Williams has been published in many various magazines including Corner Bar, Calliope, Ariel Chart, The Creativity Webzine, Bewildering Stories, Nuthouse, Altered Reality, and Transfigured Lit, with upcoming fiction scheduled for Yellow Mama. Page 25 — FREEDOM by Shainur Ullah. Mr. Ullah writes, “My name is Shainur Ullah and I am from England. I like writing short fictional horror stories on the creepypasta site (http://www.creepypasta.org/user/ullahshy). My most popular horror stories online have gone “viral” – “Crunched Up Paper House,” “The Camera Man,” and “The Guys Behind Hollywood.” They have also been narrated onto YouTube - check them out!” “D ALLAS: ACLOSE ENCOUNTER ” by EXTRATERRESTRIALLY PHILLY

On June 4, 2020, NASA received a sig - of the Primeval Atom (also known as the nal from outer space like no other before. Big Bang Theory). There was even a Bible, After careful deliberation, it was agreed just in case. that the signal was indeed from intelligent There were questions from mankind life not of this world. What did it say? Just itself, like: How was the Earth really creat - one word: Dallas. ed; what was the Universe like in the very But first, a little history. beginning; and, what actually happened to Travel back in time sixty years. 1977, the dinosaurs? When mankind received the and NASA launches the Voyager spacecraft. message from outer space on June 4, 2020, Anyone who ever saw the first Star Trek it could mean just one thing: there was, movie knows this. What most people don’t after all, intelligent life out there. know is that in the summer of 1980, a simi - On June 21, the same radio communica - lar probe, Explorer, was sent into space as tion was received again: Dallas. well: in the opposite direction. NASA jumped into high gear. Satellites On board was a document of life on quickly detected a large alien spacecraft in Earth called the Golden Record, a sort of orbit around the Earth, and there was no time capsule shot into outer space. The doubt where it was headed. The only signal Golden Record was a gold-plated, audiovi - received from the extraterrestrials sual disc chock-full of all kinds of goodies, remained, over and over again: Dallas. like the sound of a baby crying, whale song, On June 25, everyone who was anyone even music by Blind Willie Johnson—all converged on Dallas, Texas, to meet and just in case the probe was ever discovered greet our little green friends from outer by extraterrestrials. space. All the important people were there, On it were classic movies, popular TV just like in the movie Mars Attacks . All the shows of the day, as well as documentaries smartest people were there, as well. and historical writings of the history of There were historians, mathematicians, mankind, good and bad. theologians, and scientists of all kinds. There were also much more technical Especially, the outer space kind. The guy documents, like Einstein’s Theory of with the funny hair was there. The guy in Relativity, Carl Sagan’s Intelligent Life in the the wheelchair, too. They even brought Universe , and George Lemaître’s Hypothesis Einstein’s brain out of cold storage. And

Copyright 2020 T Philly Loyd 1 Corner Bar Magazine yes, there were politicians. The politicians, The alien spacecraft landed to the musi - of course, had the best seats in the house. cal stylings of the Marine Corps Marching Computers and loudspeakers were set Band’s From the Halls of Montezuma . From up all around a makeshift runway, a la the drawbridge of the spacecraft itself came Close Encounters of the Third Kind . walking down, you guessed it, a big-headed, Whatever language the aliens may speak, little green alien man. Just like in the the smartest people in America were ready movies. and waiting to translate it. He was accompanied by a small ensem - The first thing that came to scientists’ ble of fellow green men. The good people minds was: What would we ask the aliens? at NASA had already provided a big micro - Of course, the first question would have to phone and the little green alien man be: Where do you come from? But there walked right up to it. It was then that he ⊑ were even more pressing inquiries, like: said: ỻ What’s on the other side of a black hole? Is What could it mean, everyone began time travel really possible? And, is the speculating? What did they want to know? Universe expanding, or contracting? Are we Were t⟒he⌰y⌰ c⍜ uriou⎍s⋔ a⏃s t⋏o⌇ w. hether America all going to die in another thirteen billion had completed its top-secret doomsday years, or will life go on? device in outer space? Had humans actually People more down to Earth, academics discovered a way to warp time and space mostly, were more interested in what the and deliver the deadly payload across the aliens themselves might have to teach galaxy? Not hardly. humankind, like: Where humans really The President of the United States gave come from. Because of the great divide the order, and in just a few moments the among mankind itself, the answer could be massive computer with all kinds of bells God, and it could be monkeys. Or even and whistles spat out the translation. something else. It read: Two Shot ER . To the clergy, there was no doubt. The Two Shot ER? WTF did that mean? aliens wanted to know more about God Were the aliens not really friendlies at all? Himself. They may have traveled halfway Had they come to Earth with hostile inten - across the galaxy and have superior intelli - tions? gence, but humans were God’s favorite, Before anyone could get carried away and the aliens wanted to know why. though, before all the torches and pitch - What the aliens indeed would ask, no forks started coming out, a doctor in the one could have guessed. And that a mild- crowd quickly deduced that the aliens may mannered ranch hand from Emporia, have been involved some kind of interstel - Kansas, by the name of Raymond R. lar mugging. Two had been shot. Killed, Krebbs had the answer, would surprise the maybe. Perhaps more were injured and now whole world. in need of an Earthling Emergency Room.

Copyright 2020 T Philly Loyd 2 Corner Bar Magazine The big-brained humans at work on the Kansas, and son of Amos Krebbs, stepped massive computer quickly formulated such forward with the answer that took everyone a question in alien speak, then blasted it by surprise. out like Francois Truffaut in a Steven “He’s asking,” said Krebbs, “Who Shot Spielberg movie. Mankind waited with JR?” bated breath. The alien at the microphone “Who Shot JR?” said the President. shook his head No, and said once again: “Who the hell is JR? ⊑ ỻ “JR Ewing,” said Krebbs. “From the TV Again, the gigantic computer lit up like show, Dallas?” so many traffic lights. This time, the trans - Could it be? Could highly intelligent life la⟒ti⌰o⌰n⍜ it sp⎍at⋔ o⏃ut⋏ s⌇o. unded more like: Who from halfway across the galaxy really have Shot ER ? traveled thousands of light years just to find Who shot ER? Who was ER? Someone out who shot JR Ewing, from the popular well-known throughout the galaxy? A friend 70’s and 80’s TV show Dallas? of theirs perhaps, hit by a stray bullet? Just then, a NASA technician Theories began flying all around over what approached the President of the United exactly the aliens meant by ER. States and whispered in his ear, “Sir, Dallas Could it be Endoplasmic Reticulum? was one the TV shows included on the How about Estrogen Receptor? Extended Golden Record aboard the Explorer Release? External Rotation? No one could probe.” agree on any one answer. Apparently, how - “Yes,” said the President, “go on.” ever, this time the alien at the microphone “Well, sir; Explorer was launched in July did not need to wait for the translation via of 1980, when the whole world was won - the candlelit megaphone. He shook his dering: Who Shot JR? It was all everyone head No, and said once again: talked about that summer. It was the big ⊑ ỻ finale to season three.” Again, the over-wrought, over-priced “By God, you’re right,” said the human computer began deciphering the President. “And it turned out to be his m⟒e⌰ss⌰a⍜ge an⎍d ⋔th⏃is⋏ t⌇im. e it came up with: mother, right?” Who Shot JR ? “No sir,” said the technician. “It was his Who shot JR? What on Earth did that brother, Bobby.” mean? Perhaps it was code for some sort of Just then, Harold P. Dunleavy, Attorney impending intragalactic catastrophe. General of the United States, joined the All the smartest people in America put conversation. “Mr. President,” he said, “it all their big fat brains together, and still was clearly Cliff Barnes who shot JR Ewing. they had no idea what the aliens were talk - He had motive, and opportunity.” ing about. It was then that Raymond R. “No,” chimed in General John J. Krebbs, retired ranch hand from Emporia, Masteson, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of

Copyright 2020 T Philly Loyd 3 Corner Bar Magazine Staff, “it was Clayton Farlow.” said: Are you sure ? “Clayton Farlow?” said the AG, “But he The computer answered: Т K. Or, Yes . didn’t even show up until season four. JR The aliens all looked at one other in dis - was shot in the last episode of season gust. Had they traveled halfway across the three.” galaxy just to find out it was Kristin “Doesn’t matter,” said the General. Shepard? JR’s secretary? Sadly, it appeared “Farlow was retired Delta. He shot JR so. Ewing off camera. Black ops, style.” The last alien communication needed “Oh, come on,” interjected the First no translation: Lady. “Everyone knows it was Sue Ellen. Could it have been more obvious?” It was at that moment, amid high-level discussions by the most important people in America, that Raymond R. Krebbs, retired ranch hand from Emporia, Kansas, Dejected and deflated, the aliens and son of Amos Krebbs, interjected again. turned back around, boarded their ship, “It was Kristin,” said and blasted off into the sky. Kristin Krebbs. “It was Kristin Shepard? Are you fucking kidding me? who shot JR.” “Who?” They’d traveled a thousand light years just said the President. to find out it was Kristin Shepard? Lucky “Kristin,” said Krebbs. Earthlings. At least they’d only had to wait “Kristin Shepard. JR’s sec - one Earth summer to get the answer to the retary.” Everyone drew a disappointing, season-four episode and blank. cliffhanger revelation: Who Done It? “His mistress,” said Krebbs. “Sue Over was one of the weirdest close Ellen’s sister? You know, Mary encounters in human history. Little did Crosby?” “Are you sure?” said the mankind know, however, that in just a few President. short years, long, slimy, serpent-like crea - “Absolutely,” said Krebbs. tures from the planet Dynasty, who had “Okay,” said the President. “Run it come across the American space probe through the computer.” Frontier (launched in the summer of 1984) In just a few moments, the computer would be landing in Denver, Colorado— blared out the answer, and it was at that home of the Carringtons—to ask the ques - moment that all the aliens looked at each tion everyone in the Sombrero Galaxy was other in bewilderment. The head alien wondering these days: returned to the microphone, saying: ₦₱ $₮₩￦¥￥₴¤₰៛₪? Or: Who set fire Т ℥Ω℧Kℶℷℸⅇ⅊ ? to the cabin? And, did Crystal and Alexis The computer quickly translated it. It survive? v

Copyright 2020 T Philly Loyd 4 Corner Bar Magazine “M AKEUNDER MAVEN ” by DOUGLAS J. OGUREK

The book’s spread says “Wiggy.” The “Lilith Dewfetter...there’s a bit of an illustration shows a woman laughing and issue.” holding over her head intestines connected “Who did this? I think Lordi and to a man’s corpse. Maltop did this. It’s potent . . .” A cube-shaped chair holds the woman “Most Lilith Dewfetter products . . .” with the book. She wears a fluorescent “I know a couple guys from Lordi and green watch. Maltop.” The man beside her talks on the phone Tame frowns at her tablet. “My back - and studies a tablet computer. “Where’d ground image.” you hear that? Hello?” The sound of a jet “I changed it. It was too...” He flaps his engine fills the lounge, which smells of hand and his cuff links, silver, square, leather and wood. “I need you to move me gleam. He straightens a stray cluster of her a little up, okay? Just above Belstone and hair. “Lordi and Maltop. Those guys know Fistel and voila. All right? Bye.” me.” “MentPath Airlines,” in curveless let - Shrieks of laughter come from across ters, glows from a stainless steel rectangle the space. A woman, the lounge’s only on the wall. other occupant, pushes blades of her short The woman closes her book, then blond hair behind her ear and talks on a removes a tablet computer from a purse phone. “Well I asked him—he’s in the com - decorated with a vice-like symbol. “I have mittee that I’m co-chair of—and he said, my sketches.” ‘Lila, that’s something I could do.’ He said, The man watches a TV mounted on ‘Lila, I’m open to it.’” Lila squints at the the wall. It shows a woman and a toddler upper corner of a glass wall that displays a holding opposite ends of a multicolored runway. plastic chain. Lilith Dewfetter, Inc. had invited Tame “For the Mavens addition? I’m a little to join a design competition for expanding stuck. Greg?” its headquarters for a “Mavens of Greg straightens her in the chair, then Transformation” exhibit. extends his tablet toward the room. “Look Tame’s watch marks the hour with the at this Tame. Thin lines. Muted colors. Dapple Cap theme song. She’s always liked Look at the fonts. Well done.” the Green Meeplebupple, the cartoon’s

Copyright 2020 Douglas J. Ogurek 5 Corner Bar Magazine Copyright 2020 Douglas J. Ogurek 6 Corner Bar Magazine only female villain . Tame extends her hand The lounge’s scent seems familiar to over the rendering on the tablet. “I’m Tame. thinking of a curtain wall that sweeps out.” Lila, still looking out the window, starts Greg says, “That watch is really distract - to rise, but the chain on her purse—it has ing.” the same symbol as that on Tame’s purse— “The wall...it’s kind of a feminine ges - catches on the cube chair. She sits back ture. I don’t know. Can you kind of down, then sweeps her hair over her ear. unstick...I’m stuck.” Lilith Dewfetter, a cosmetics company, The watch stops. Greg winces. “Isn’t tests most of its products on animals. Tame there a setting to turn that off?” sniffs the wig of intestines. “The sweeping wall here? I wanted to *** pick up on the transformation.” Tammy’s only experience with the Greg grabs her wrist, then brings the Makeunder Maven was at Flora’s baby watch to his mouth. “Hello? Hello? Hello? shower. It took a while before Tammy’s I’m trying to help Tame break free of the future sister-in-law wasn’t surrounded by third grade. Can you help me break Tame guests. out of the third grade?” “Is Tip going to be around today?” said Across the lounge, Lila shrieks again. Tammy. “I took a client to that restaurant Tame cups her hand. “Like ‘Mavens of he recommended. It was called Transformation?’ The façade transforms. So Catch...something. Plus I have this book he I was thinking of this little...” recommended.” Greg releases a wind-like noise and flat - The guest of honor—her eyelashes tens her hand. He pulls out Tame’s book. extended pleadingly—pointed out the win - “What the hell?” dow. “Jesus-ah. What’s she doing now?” “It’s scratch ’n’ sniff. I got it from this A green jacket beamed at the center of woman.” She opens it to the “Wiggy” the snowy courtyard. The woman wearing it spread. stood next to a blow-up doll tied to a pole. “What’s it supposed to smell like? One of its arms extended, and a rope ran Intestines? Come on, Tame.” from its wrist to another woman, who was “I don’t know. I haven’t tried. It’s got a covered in baby dolls. smell. There’s this woman—” “She’s so disgusting. All sloppy greeny.” Greg gets a call. “Hold on Bob. Let me This guest wore a blouse, probably a get to a more secure space.” He walks away, Moonfurl, decorated with rows of shapes. leaving Tame and Lila, fifty feet away, as the The phone she scanned, an Enchant lounge’s sole occupants. Catena 4, was much larger than Tammy’s Lila looks at the window. “Dave Dave Bleme 2. Dave listen. I know what’s going on. I’m Velvet strolled, half imperially, half chair of the committee.” drunkenly, among the pumps and wedges

Copyright 2020 Douglas J. Ogurek 7 Corner Bar Magazine that put Tammy’s flats to shame. she launched one of Greg’s gems. “It’s Flora’s light blue fingernails glistened potent, but not pretentious.” as she slid her phone (also a C4) across her The tall woman pivoted, as if an invisi - bump. “She’s crazy. I’ve seen her do crazy ble hand shifted her. “I think my daugh - things.” ter—she’s eight—could be an interior design - “The one with the dolls?” A woman er, yeah? She’s really good at Legos. And dug in her purse. A Shackleford. she’s into sorting colors.” Then conspirato - “No. Her. The one in the stupid green rially, “Steve and I think she’s a lot better jacket.” than her friends, right?” What a contrast Makeunder Maven was Tip’s BMW gleamed in the driveway. to the guests. She had that thick jacket, Where was the father-to-be? hood up. They wore sexy tops and their The woman with the shapes on her hair curved and shone majestically. What blouse—it resembled a remote control— did they think of Tammy’s taupe sweater raised her C4. “I just got fifty-four Likes for and ponytail? this pic of Anna.” There was a collective, The tallest guest, keeping her legs though dispassionate, sigh . How many of straight, bent toward Flora. “She pretended these women, probably college educated to graduate with a degree in wife or some - like Flora, would drop out of the workforce thing? Right?” to raise children? “Wifery. Jesus-ah. One time she paint - Velvet plopped down beneath a glass ed herself silver and posed on a car. Like a coffee table. Mentally Ill used to do that. hood ornament?” Stay close, but not too close. “...toilet bowl seat around her neck...” The Shifter leaned toward Tammy. someone else was saying. “Cute watch. Is that your daughter’s?” Flora held up her C4. “Hey I just got Someone snorted. “This is ridiculous.” my twenty-first Like. For my nail polish In the courtyard, a mannequin of a suited shade. It’s His Dream. That’s what they call man stood on the shoulders of another it.” woman. Her chest—she’d stuffed something Tammy wore a skirt that same baby blue in there—protruded from a tight shirt that when she met Greg her third day at Goy and said, “#1 WIFE.” She fished from the snow Holderness. a rope attached to the blow-up doll’s other Flora displayed the nails on her wrist. Makeunder Maven, her green jacket abdomen. “You like this Tammy? His nearly glowing, stood next to the blow-up Dream? Tammy’s an interior designer.” doll, both of its arms now outstretched. Twelve gleaming faces turned to Tammy received a text from Greg. Tammy. Some of the eyes locked on her “How’s Flor look?” Green Meeplebupple watch. “Well, archi - She responded, “Big.” tect, actually, but I do like it. Sure.” Then “Look at her outfit.” Flora’s eyes

Copyright 2020 Douglas J. Ogurek 8 Corner Bar Magazine widened. With the lashes, they looked like “But if you’re not using them now, then let’s get mariners’ wheels. “Are those jogging them off your desk, okay?” pants?” Yes, Makeunder Maven was wearing Makeunder Maven arrived at the win - jogging pants. dow. Despite the absence of makeup and “Sixty-three. Sixty-three.” Another the chapped lips, she was not unattractive. woman shook a C4 over her Shackleford— She unzipped her jacket, revealing what was Tammy the only guest without a C4 appeared to be a swollen abdomen. Then and a Shackleford?—then showed a photo she stuck a knife beneath her sweatshirt. of a girl and a boy standing on a porch. “I The shower guests gasped. One just took this yesterday morning.” screamed. Red liquid poured on the Another text from Greg. “Maybe you’re ground while Makeunder Maven reached next.” beneath her sweater, then pulled out a Flora exhaled. Her blue-capped fingers glop-covered trophy. She raised it tri - zipped across her phone. umphantly and then, with red dripping Greg, slightly older and clearly a power onto her clothes and the snow, she player, used a flashlight to look under employ - screamed. ees’ desks for any evidence of disarray. When he “No. This is my party. This is my came to Tammy’s, his light stayed on her legs party.” Flora extended a hand toward the for a moment. window. The delicateness of His Dream Tammy approached Flora. “Hey, I want - contrasted with the talon-like fingers. ed to ask Tip about that car wax he uses. I “She’s...I’m calling the cops.” was just admiring his car.” *** Velvet bounded by them, then shot up From one of the ceiling’s black squares the stairs. A burst of cold air invaded the descends a male voice offering details room. Remote Control stood at the open regarding Flight 125 to JFK. door. “You know, we’re trying to have a Greg swipes Tame’s tablet. “I want you baby shower in here and you’re all showy to look at those toilet rooms, okay?” showy. You’re disrupting us so why don’t Tame tucks a leg under her and twists. you stop?” “That’s the east façade.” Makeunder Maven looked at the “They have steel doors and fixtures in woman with the dolls, then at #1 WIFE. there. Black terrazzo. Absolutely spotless. Then she started trudging toward the win - Come on. We have twenty-five minutes till dow. boarding.” Flora tsked and batted those lashes. Lila’s laugh reaches from across the Tammy noticed Greg’s less dramatic ver - lounge. “Well Frank, if you’re as curious as sion of those lashes when he trained the flash - I am about a leading anesthesiologist at light on a set of plans on her desk. “Are you Rise doing improv...” Again she fixes on using these?” “They’re for the Lockly addition.” the window wall. Copyright 2020 Douglas J. Ogurek 9 Corner Bar Magazine The Lilith Dewfetter competition pits says “Cheergut.” It shows a cheerleader Tame against three of the biggest female shaking not pom-poms, but rather the names in architecture. intestines of a rotting male corpse. “I’m a little stuck here.” Tame places “I never said that.” Greg comments on her hand over her watch. “I’m thinking the organization chart and watches Lila’s about extending the roof here. It’ll help legs as she passes. “Is Karen a VP? She’s not shade the glass.” a VP. I’m a VP. Look, I want Karen out of “Everything’s pristine in there. Lordi my box—it doesn’t matter—and I want her and Maltop. And they have that aluminum. moved down to the design team box. They Dimpled. You go look, okay? And I’ll look need a single point of contact, Tim. at this.” Someone at the helm, okay?” “In a little bit. I’m a little sticky with Tame uses her heel to outline a gray this. I have to make any tweaks on the carpet square. The lounge’s scent reminds flight.” her of the glitter makeup she had as a Lila shrieks and rotates her purse so its child. symbol faces outward. “He’s a top anesthe - Lila alters from her course toward the siologist, Frank, and he’s doing improv. window wall. “Brian, Brian I don’t want You should come, and bring your lovely Aiden pitching against that team, Brian. wife, Frank. The four of us could have a This is Little League. Those kids, they look drink after.” like they’re in college. And Aiden’s so Greg makes a wind noise and tilts the small.” tablet toward Tame. “Where’s our logo?” The upper corner of the glass wall “Owk, I’ll put it on the finals. Of reveals an overcast sky and the adjacent course. I’m trying to show the transforma - façade’s metal panels. tion.” That Halloween, her mother applied the “Mavens of...” Greg watches the TV. It glitter makeup. “See? You’re a princess.” shows a woman whose arm is stuck in a “I know he’s good, Brian, but he can’t dollhouse. He grabs Tame’s ankle, then win against them. I mean, they’re giants. pulls her leg off the chair and sets her foot You need to step up as coach.” on the floor. “Make sure you use the logo Greg ends his conversation with Tim, with the box around the y in Goy.” then takes a bright green phone from Tame starts to explain Lilith Tame’s purse. “I don’t know why he just Dewfetter’s animal testing practices. Greg can’t...it’s really bad.” puts a hand over her mouth and answers a “Can we look at these sketches now?” call. “Tim. They need to see the team Greg, affectless, looks at her. organization, okay? They need to see a VP “I want to make it potent.” Tame want - who’s going to orchestrate everything.” ed to dress as a cross between a jester, a schol - Tame opens her book. The next spread ar, and a monster, but her mother insisted on a Copyright 2020 Douglas J. Ogurek 10 Corner Bar Magazine princess. “What are you doing?” Meeplebupple wanted that money to do He taps the phone’s screen. “I think something good. you could tone it down a bit, Tame. I Greg watches the posterior of a passing mean, check out the toilet room.” flight attendant. “They need an orchestra - “It’s a toilet room, Greg. I’m talking tor. One person, okay? Not two. That will about a façade.” be me only.” “Tame. Listen. We don’t need all these The girl cheering with intestines looks flourishes for Lilith Dewfetter. Your design? determined. It’s a little clunky. That’s what George Goy Lila approaches the window again, but would say. Think about your Mercedes. It’s then answers a call and changes course. “Hi elegant. Everything there has a reason.” He honey. I thought you had a surgery now.” hands her the phone. “Voila. I changed Every female to be featured in the your ringtone.” Mavens of Transformation exhibit used her Tame traces the logo on her purse. “I sexuality to advance. Why? have a reason.” Lila leans against the MentPath sign. He touches her lips. “Am I going to “Of course, honey. What do you need?” have to take your keys away?” Tame smells the “Cheergut” spread. The TV shows a woman behind a ban - *** ister. She polishes its wood columns. Tip had yet to show. At every shower “What’s wrong with my ringtone?” Tammy had attended, the father had at “It was a bit overzealous. I changed it to least made an appearance. this. ‘Precision.’ I like ‘Precision.’ And Velvet, completely uninterested in the what’s with this green cover?” Greg fields activity, sat next to Tammy and struggled to another call from Tim. “Goddammit. Who keep his eyes open. Tammy took a sculpture told you that?” off the end table. It was a thin metal rod. Tame’s watch alarm sounds. “The cops will be here in five.” Flora “No. Fuck him. Hold on.” Greg holds wiggled her foam-separated toes before the the phone to his chest. “Tame, turn off the visiting pedicurist. goddam alarm.” Outside, the pseudo blood from “Owk.” Tame presses buttons on her Makeunder Maven’s self-aborted trophy watch. The Green Meeplebupple: she want - marked the path she’d taken back to the ed treasure, but, as with all Dapple Cap vil - blow-up doll. Its arms and one of its legs lains, the story never got into why. were stretched by the doll-covered woman, “Tim, that’s a different animal. Is #1 WIFE with her shoulder-mounted man- Karen a principal of this firm? Right. And I nequin, and now another woman dressed am . So I want her out of that box.” as a giant bottle of glass cleaner. Tame wraps the purse strap around her “Behold.” Flora, her lashes summon - wrist. She often tells herself the Green ing, stretched her fingers for the pedicurist.

Copyright 2020 Douglas J. Ogurek 11 Corner Bar Magazine “I want the closest thing you can get to and his lashes prevailed upon his fellow critics. this. It’s called His Dream.” “Behold. A Catena 4. No extraneous elements. Behold. Greg said that at an in-house cri - This is clean. This is precise. It’s a representa - tique of Tammy’s first concepts for the Lilith tion of what’s going on today. What you have Dewfetter expansion. here, Tame, is a representation of what’s going The sculpture rod, Tammy discovered, on in some alternate universe.” Chuckles was flexible. Like an old-fashioned hanger. around the table. “It’s your turn.” Remote Control The tablet video showed the woman looked at Tammy, then at Tammy’s watch. forking cake into a toddler’s mouth. “Say “What did Brent and Amelia...” ‘Yum yum,’ Aaron.” said the woman. Someone said, “Brenmelia!” “Aaron. Aaron. Say ‘Yum yum.’” “...recently—hey, I’m almost at sixty Greg continued his reproach. “You have to Likes—recently name their second daugh - step it up, Tame. This is Lilith Dewfetter. ter?” Okay? There will probably be reporters, industry Comments from around the room. “I insiders. Hello? Right now, this is just clunky at know this one.” “...easy, yeah?” “...can’t best.” believe they named her that.” “...come on Aaron. Yum yum...” After an hour of celebrity trivia, The Shifter bent toward Tammy. Her Tammy had flubbed every question. She perfume smelled complacent. “That was about to say His Dream when Flora Aaron’s a little slow on the uptake. I mean, said, “Tame, can you not bend that? Tip my Emily’s in his class and she’s like in a likes that straight.” different league.” “Sorry.” Tammy returned the sculpture Tammy tried to point out the contemporary to its original position. Velvet pushed his elements of her design. Then George Goy head against Tammy’s Bleme 2 as if the reached toward the screen and flashed his false phone could pet him. Mentally Ill would teeth. “You think this is contemporary? This do that. has nothing to do with contemporary. It’s a A woman stood and displayed a tablet. jumble.” “You guys, you have to see this.” “You can do it, Aaron. Say ‘Yum yum.’” As Tammy joined the circle, the Dapple Finally, Aaron released a quiet “Num Cap theme song rang out from her watch. num.” The women around Tammy, includ - She quickly silenced it. Still no Tip. She ing the Shifter, melted. had to talk to him about Boom Troop . God. “It’s Premiera. Premiera.” Flora, with Flora put her foot on the pedicurist’s one foot on the pedicurist’s shoulder, head, held up her C4, and then sang, “I raised her voice. “Brenmelia’s daughter? have a video too. It’s the ultrasound.” Premiera.” The group started toward Flora. Then At the critique, Greg displayed his phone someone said, “Oh my god. What’s she Copyright 2020 Douglas J. Ogurek 12 Corner Bar Magazine doing now?” Marauders. Their defense?” Makeunder Maven, a toilet bowl seat Flora flourished her nails. “This is around her neck, stood next to the blow-up Lilith Dewfetter.” doll. All its limbs were stretched. “I’m a little sticky. With this competi - The talk on Flora’s cell phone video tion? Lilith Dewfetter tests on animals.” rose above the chatter. “It’s called ‘His Dream.’” Flora, her A gigantic pair of plush breasts covered lashes stretching beggingly, looked up at the head and torso of the newest rope hold - Tip. er. She wore a skirt and heels and toted a Outside, one police officer tramped briefcase that said, “Provider Wanted.” toward Makeunder Maven, while the other Flora slapped the sofa. “Jesus-ah. Ignore kicked snow over the fake blood. her. She’s just trying to get your attention. Tip placed the level on Tammy’s watch. She thinks she’s...the cops will be here in a “Don’t bend that.” minute.” “Oh...sorry.” She was bending Tip’s The guests cooed over Flora’s video, Marauders bookmark. “I just finished the then returned to the trivia. They all feigned chapter on intimidation. Intimidating the disinterest in Makeunder Maven’s exploits. opponent?” Tammy noted that her watch was the same “Hm.” Tip continued to focus on color of Makeunder Maven’s jacket. something behind Tammy. “What the hell’s going on out there?” “How do you think they’ll do this sea - Tip had arrived. Finally. He knelt beside son?” Flora and tapped something metal against He held up the level. “Excuse me for her baby bump. just a minute.” Tip sidestepped Tammy, Tammy covered her purse’s non- then approached two women, both beauti - Shackleford logo as she approached the ful, radiating on the couch. couple. Flora looked vacuously at Tammy’s Velvet reached up and pawed at watch. “Tammy’s in a big interior design Tammy’s purse strap. It was as if he sensed competition . . . for a Lilith Dewfetter she was a cat lover. Too bad she gave building.” Mentally Ill to her sister after Greg com - “Well,” said Tammy. “We’ll see.” plained of the litter and the smell. Tip used the instrument—it was a Now that she was alone, Tammy level—to cover his yawn and looked behind checked her phone. Bleme 2. Greg had Tammy. “Oh yeah?” sent her a string of texts, the last of which “It’s a competition for an expansion. said, “Am I going to have to take that Architecture. Tip...” Tammy retrieved Boom phone away from you?” Yeah, and replace it Troop from her purse. “I’m about halfway with a C4. done with this. Excellent.” Then to Flora, Tip held up the level and the women “He let me borrow this. It’s about the watched the bubble. One of them had a

Copyright 2020 Douglas J. Ogurek 13 Corner Bar Magazine Shackleford, and the other wore a thin sil - I’m thinking of this bright green wall, curv - ver watch and a top emblazoned with a ing toward the Mavens exhibit?” Moonfurl logo. Greg traces the rectilinear chain pat - Tammy joined a cluster of guests by the tern that weaves through the black panels window. Now the officers, hands on hips, next to him. “These are...zinc, I believe. stood beside Makeunder Maven, who You could use zinc. Straighten it out, use looked through the toilet seat toward the dark zinc like this, and voila.” shower guests. The pedicurist came up next “But this is more like a feature wall to Tammy. “I like her.” or...like a portal.” Flora yelled “Nadia. Natasha? Whatever “…slight variation of these in the toilet your name is. Get back over here. You’re room.” not done.” “A portal wall? Curving and bright Tammy’s phone buzzed. Probably green like this?” another text from Greg. She was about to “Who told you they wanted something look, when Makeunder Maven’s four like that?” strange companions yanked their ropes. “It’s in the brief.” The blow-up doll tore apart. Green glop “Green.” Greg looks at the TV. splashed out of it. The cops jumped back. “What’s your rationale?” The shower guests erupted with gasps and “Get people’s attention...” Tame watch - squeals. es Lila adjust her purse—its logo shimmers— After the cops issued their tickets and as she passes. “...excitement.” forced Makeunder Maven and her group to Greg glances at Lila’s legs, then returns clean the mess, Tammy snuck out and to the TV, which shows a girl dressed like a caught up with Makeunder Maven. “I saw princess and battling static cling. He moves your performance. What’s that about?” Tame’s hand onto the chair’s arm. “I think Makeunder Maven rubbed her hands you’re a bit overzealous with all this green. on her jogging pants. Kind of a clunky element.” Tammy’s watch alarm sounded. Lila approaches the left side of the glass “Owk...I’m a little...” She went to turn it wall. The runway and the sky echo the gray off, but Makeunder Maven grabbed her that dominates the lounge. wrist. They listened. Tame touches the smaller version of Then Makeunder Maven handed the vice-like logo on her own purse. Tammy the scratch ’n’ sniff book and said, “Something to draw them in?” “Maybe you need a makeunder.” Greg answers his phone. “No. Tim. *** Listen. Okay? I want you to—I don’t give a Tame presses a button on her watch. shit—I want you to fix it and resend it. “There. Alarm’s off.” She slants her tablet Hello?” A pause. “Where did you hear toward Greg. “So right here, at the entry? that?”

Copyright 2020 Douglas J. Ogurek 14 Corner Bar Magazine Tame studies her tablet and pulls both would...” her legs up in the cube chair. “Tame. Give me the goddam phone.” Lila answers her phone and turns away Tame rubs her purse’s logo and stares from the window. “Hi Slugger. I just talked at the phone. Then she hands the phone to to Coach Brian. He’s going to save you for Greg. the next game. You’re the team’s star, so He pretends to talk on it. “Yes. Design you need the rest.” Police? I’ve got a problem here: my fiancé’s In the upper left corner of the window mind’s stuck in elementary school. Can wall, a shadow flits. you, Design Police, help me get my fiancé’s The one time Tame stopped in a Lilith head out of elementary school?” Dewfetter store, she asked to sample any Tame wraps the purse strap around her perfumes not tested on animals. The young wrist. employee, adorned with a Moonfurl logo Greg takes off the phone cover. “This and glistening eye shadow, shrugged and green...it creates the wrong impression, shook her head. okay? We gave you a C4 to inspire more “No. Fuck him, okay Tim? Look. Just austere design.” send over the revised version, okay?” Greg “What about potent?” ends the call. “God bless it. They’re not “Hey, maybe they’ll put us on a green using that org chart, but I want to see it plane?” anyway.” “You said the design should be potent.” Tame twists toward him and presents “Give us some clunky green toys to play the tablet. “Can you just let me know if with on the green plane? Yee.” this—” “Potent but not pretentious.” Greg grabs her ankle, then pulls her “I never said that.” He keeps the cover foot down to the carpet. “I shouldn’t be in and holds out the phone. the same box as Karen. I’m the orchestra - Tame reaches for it, but Greg pulls it tor. Karen’s not a principal.” He takes the back. “Tame. Are we gonna have to take tablet, then starts flipping through images. this away from you?” “You said you’d put the logo on here?” She tightens the strap around her wrist. “Box around the ‘y’ in Goy.” Tame “Austere.” takes from her purse the phone with the Greg answers his phone. “George! How bright green case. “I was looking at these did the Banbend meeting go?” He cracks photos. I took some photos of birds? Here.” Tame’s green phone case in half, then chor - “That’s unprofessional.” tles. “Yeah, just let me get a little privacy “Owk...just to kind of inspire—” here. Hey, you remember Lordi and “No. I’m talking about your phone Maltop?” cover.” On his way out, Greg drops the phone “I’m thinking this curving wall case halves in the garbage. Again, Tame is

Copyright 2020 Douglas J. Ogurek 15 Corner Bar Magazine alone with Lila. Transformation. “I’ll be home for dinner.” Lila has She turns on the alarm. returned to the MentPath sign. “Daisy’s Tammy smells the “Brope” spread, then going to make a nice fresh shrimp salad.” pulls out a sketchbook. Decisively she Tame looks at the scratch ’n ’ sniff sketches, and from the slashes and arcs and book’s next spread. It says “Brope” and loops emerge the shape of a building, but shows a woman with brain-like buttocks. also of a rabbit, prone and with suffering The intestines still attached to a prostrate eyes. This will be the Lilith Dewfetter man serve as her thong. expansion concept that the reporters and “Okay, okay Slugger.” Lila bends before industry insiders will see. v the sign. She adjusts her heel and her hair falls before her eyes. “No shrimp salad. I just wanted to try...no. Yes. Spaghetti and . . . mac and cheese. You got it. Tell Daisy I said.” Tame starts toward the window. A jet takes off, then vanishes in the clouds. Something clicks at the upper left corner of the glass wall. Lilith Dewfetter’s lab technicians spray perfume in rabbits’ eyes, then monitor how long it takes to burn away the cornea. And Tame is supposed to design this expansion to “capture the essence of the Lilith Dewfetter brand?” The clicking grows louder, and there is a shadow up there. Sometimes, the techs force the rabbits to swallow the perfume, then time how long it takes them to die. Just outside the glass, a cardinal perch - es on a mullion. The red that fringes her wings strains to break through the gray. She hops toward the glass, pecks the window, and then circles back to where she started. Repeatedly she performs the action. Tame looks at her watch. Surely the Green Meeplebupple will not be among Lilith Dewfetter’s Mavens of

Copyright 2020 Douglas J. Ogurek 16 Corner Bar Magazine “N IGHT CREATURE ” by K. A. WILLIAMS

With my rite of passage nearing the smoke, Kendal had said, there you will find end, I had but one more cycle before I it. could return to my tribe. Kendal had I climbed down the tree and moved spoken of a village at the edge of the forest toward the edge of the village where most and I dared to go there. The night was of the day creatures were still in their huts. changing to day as the orb of light rose I cautiously made my way to the hut of from the water beyond the village. I had smoke. Through the entrance of the hut I not believed the tale Kendal told of the sun could see a day creature pulling a long, thin leaping from the water into the sky, chasing object from the fire. It was a silver color away our beloved moon but now I saw the and the worker admired it. So did I, but it truth with my own eyes. was not the object I had come to get. Near I stared in disbelief as the sun colored the entrance were small objects of the same the sky. As it climbed higher, I would need color, and I grabbed one of these as the day shelter from the light. When I finally creature turned. shifted my gaze from the colorful sky, I The startled expression convinced me beheld the animal swimming on the water that this day creature had never before seen which stretched to the horizon. The strange one of my kind. “Help!” the villager creature glided along its surface, pale wings shouted in alarm. “Some strange creature fluttering in the breeze. I nearly lost my has stolen a knife!” grip on the tree branch when I noticed the I tucked the object referred to as a knife day creatures that stood upon its back. Why into the belt of my tunic as I ran from the did it allow them to ride upon it when it hut, stumbled over stacked wood in my could easily shake off the villagers, drown way, and fell. Before I could escape, I was and eat them? How were they able to tame surrounded by day creatures with hair and such a large creature? eyes of various colors. I pulled the knife I began to wish I had not sought out from my belt and they backed up slowly, the village, it was not a required part of the fear and uncertainty in their eyes. rite of passage, only a few ventured here. I “What is that?” one of them asked came because Kendal had brought back a another. strange object from the village and I wanted “A night creature.” to bring one back too. Look for the hut of “In the daylight?” cried the first villager,

Copyright 2020 K. A. Williams 17 Corner Bar Magazine shocked. “Release me!” I yelled. My demand was met “I have heard that the fangs of one have by silence. As I tugged at the vines, they deadly venom.” grew tighter, so I chewed through them. This last information was a lie. Night Suddenly a brilliant light filled the room creatures did not have fangs filled with blinding me and I shielded my eyes with poison, only very sharp teeth. I opened my my freed hands. mouth and lunged for the villagers in front “The bright light is gone now,” said a of me. They backed off and when I waved voice. I moved my hands from my eyes. In the knife, the circle surrounding me front of me stood a being with hair as collapsed. I ran for the forest with all my white as snow. “Why has a night creature speed. Some of the faster day creatures come to my castle?” pursued for a time but when I entered the “Castle?” I repeated. It was said that a forest, they stopped. powerful sorcerer could conjure up a castle Further I fled into the forest where amid the trees in a forest; now I believed it. none of the day creatures had been brave “Are you a sorcerer?” I asked, suddenly enough to follow. Rays from the sun frightened. filtered through the leaves and shone on “Yes, but do not fear me, I wish you no swirls of hanging moss. After a while I harm. However, I must warn you that my walked into something solid that I could former evil apprentice stole some scrolls not see. It was hard and cold, like stone, from me including one that told how to and seemed to cover a large area. I found a change a night creature into a day creature. tree closest to it and climbed up, feeling the I would never have used it, I just collect surface as I moved along until I found an ancient scrolls, but I could teach you magic opening and went inside. so you would be able to defend yourself if There were lots of unusual objects you ever meet any evil sorcerers. Would you within this invisible building. I picked up a like to be my new apprentice and be taught few of them to take back with me, Kendal magic?” would be jealous, but I could not find the That was a tempting offer. I thought opening again when I wanted to leave. about being able to perform magic like Suddenly I heard footsteps even though what I had just witnessed. “Yes,” I decided. I saw no one. “Show yourself!” I The sorcerer smiled. “I am Tarkan. commanded dropping the objects and What is your name?” withdrawing the new knife from my belt. “Kanal.” A strong wind whirled me around and *** pulled the knife from my fingers. I searched Over time, my master Tarkan taught me the room for another weapon, and when I reading and writing, and also magic from touched some intertwined vines they ancient scrolls. One morning I realized that wound around my wrists, binding me. magic had become more important to me

Copyright 2020 K. A. Williams 18 Corner Bar Magazine than my tribe. Sometimes before my sunk half its exposed roots into the lake. lessons, I would see the sorcerer gazing into When a small sharp stone grazed my foot, I the crystal ball as if searching for picked it up and carved my name into the something. “I search for my former handle of my knife. apprentice. Some day I will find the evil Ripples appeared suddenly in the murky one and reclaim my stolen scrolls.” brown water as a monstrous scaly long neck Tarkan understood my need to rest in rose from the lake. In its head were two red the daytime and taught me late at night eyes and jaws filled with pointed teeth. It and early in the morning. One early lunged at me, caught my left arm in its morning we left the castle soon after dawn; mouth and pulled me toward the lake. As I my master had woven a protection spell struck it repeatedly with my knife, another into a black cloak that allowed me to long scaly neck ascended from the lake and venture out in even the brightest daylight. attacked Tarkan. I could hear the sorcerer Trees had filled with leaves and spring muttering incantations until they both flowers covered the ground. Tarkan led the disappeared under the water. My one- way through the green underbrush to a handed knife jabs finally discouraged the stream which had cut a ravine with its flow lake monster enough to let me go just as of water. I may have been able to leap my feet entered the cold liquid. across but as I gazed down at the sharp gray “Tarkan!” I cried but there was no sign rocks amid the frothing water, I decided of the sorcerer. I frantically searched the not to even try. lake area, seeing neither Tarkan nor the When I looked around for Tarkan I lake monster. discovered the sorcerer on the bank of the Despair overwhelmed me and I wept as other side of the stream. “Show me what I stumbled blindly through the underbrush. you have learned Kanal, make me proud.” The forest eventually gave way to a meadow I said a few magical words and and beyond it I saw a castle on a hill. My tentatively placed my right foot on the master lived and had moved the castle to a open air above the ravine. It had become new location for some reason. I crossed the solid like the ground and I walked fearlessly meadow, my cloak protecting me from the across and joined Tarkan, who smiled. sunlight. The ground itself was softer on this side I arrived at the castle and placed my where moss hung thick from low gnarled palm on the stone but since I had forgotten tree branches. Trees eventually thinned out the phrase that Tarkan had taught me to to reveal a large lake. “This looks like a make an opening in the lower wall, I good place to rest,” Tarkan said, sitting on climbed the closest tree to gain entrance in the ground at the edge of the water. one of the high windows. My left arm The ground was too soft for me and I ached from the wounds inflicted by the preferred to lean against the great tree that monster and blood covered the black sleeve

Copyright 2020 K. A. Williams 19 Corner Bar Magazine of my tunic. When I reached for a high I stared at it. “No.” branch with my left hand, my fingers “You had this weapon on your belt missed and I lost my balance. As I fell, the when we found you unconscious under the wind whipped my cloak in my face and tree outside my castle. The knife has a blocked my view of the ground. I tried to name carved on it. Kanal. That must be conjure a spell to soften my landing but I your name.” was not fast enough. Sudden pain subsided “Kanal?” I repeated. into oblivion . . . “Yes, and you are a night creature.” *** “Am I?” I asked. Distant voices murmured in the “You have black hair and luminous darkness of my dreams. I opened my eyes. black eyes like a night creature and Kanal is A tall figure with hair the color of fire and not a day creature name. What I want to eyes as green as grass stood before me. “I know is why did you try to get into the am Tasilla and this is Talone.” I looked at castle with a weapon? Were you going to the other one who had yellow hair and sky kill us?” blue eyes. “Who are you?” “Why would I do that?” I asked. I could not remember my name. “I do “Because I am a sorcerer and Talone is not know,” I said. my apprentice.” “How did you hurt yourself?” Tasilla “Are all sorcerers evil?” I asked, as a asked. memory tried to come back but I lost it. Was I hurt? I must be for I felt pain in Tasilla smiled. “Of course not. We are my head and my arm which had a strip of not evil are we, Talone?” cloth wrapped around it. I touched my “No,” said Talone but I noticed that the head and felt a strip of cloth wrapped apprentice would not meet my gaze. around it as well. “I do not know that I began to feel sleepy. “You should rest either,” I admitted. and heal,” Talone said. I was on a bed, covered with a blanket, I slept until Talone changed the in a small room lit with one candle. Tasilla bandages on my head and arm after gently whispered something to Talone who left, washing the wounds. Talone’s fingers then came back quickly with a cup. lingered on my hair afterwards but I did “Drink this. It will help the pain,” not mind. Tasilla said. *** I drank the liquid; it was thick and Over the next several cycles I explored sweet. Almost immediately, my head felt the corridors of the castle, for some reason better. “Thank you,” I said. never feeling the desire to leave. Talone Tasilla held up a knife and began to replaced my bandages often and gave me question me while Talone remained silent. medicine for the pain. “Recognize this?” I began to wonder if I was truly a night

Copyright 2020 K. A. Williams 20 Corner Bar Magazine creature because I seemed to be spending without seeing me. more and more time awake in the daytime. No wonder I now spent more time When I did sleep I dreamed of a lake awake in the daytime; they had changed me monster, a white-haired sorcerer, and a into a day creature. Talone must have castle deep in the forest. mixed the awful potion with my pain I was upstairs in a darkened area of the medicine. castle hunting for a room I had seen earlier It was as if a fog lifted from my mind that contained magic books when I saw and I could finally think clearly. I had been Talone and Tasilla at the end of the bewitched by these sorcerers into remaining corridor. They did not in this castle so they could experiment on see me and I overheard their conversation. me; I needed to escape but all I saw were Talone said, “I do not think Kanal solid walls. How could I get out? should be so swiftly changed into a day A phrase entered my mind and I said it creature. Does the potion need to be this as I placed my palm upon the wall. An strong?” opening appeared and there was a tree near “Do not worry, it is done. The night it. I jumped out of the opening, caught a creature is now a day creature.” branch, climbed down swiftly, and ran away Then the two of them went into a room from the castle.

Copyright 2020 K. A. Williams 21 Corner Bar Magazine It seemed as if I had been in this gave you the potion. It was not my idea. meadow before. The tall grass rustled as I Tasilla obtained the scroll from a former rushed through it and on into the forest. I master and sought a night creature to work had no idea where I was headed. I just the magic potion on. You were unfortunate wanted to get as far away from those two enough to be found by us.” sorcerers as quickly as I could; I knew I “Then go back and tell Tasilla that you would be pursued. The underbrush became could not find me, or tell the evil sorcerer thicker as I forced my way through it to that my tracks entered the water but did where the trees were laden with moss and not come out, and you believe that I have the ground softer. A lake appeared before drowned.” me and there seemed to be something “Tasilla would know that I lied. If you familiar about it. I became uneasy as I will return with me to the castle, we will looked at it. make my master change you back into a A twig snapped in the distance; night creature.” someone was coming. I didn’t have time to “Why should I trust you?” I asked. circle the lake and somehow I knew I “I am your only hope now.” couldn’t swim. Maybe I could make my That was true and I knew it. Talone pursuer think I drowned. I entered the waited patiently while I climbed back down water, then backed up, careful to place my the tree, taking my hand when I had fully feet exactly in the tracks I had made descended. “Come, it will soon be dark.” leading up to the edge of the lake. Then I The sun had started its descent by the quickly climbed the closest tree and hid time we neared the castle. It was among the branches where the leaves were surrounded by flashes of lightning, but thickest. I believed I was well hidden. there was no thunder or rain like in a My pursuer came in sight, it was normal storm. The wind howled as we Talone, studied the tracks I had made, then moved closer, the lightning intensified and stood beneath the tree I was in. “I know the wind harshly whipped the long you are up there, Kanal. We thought you meadow grass before the eerie storm ceased were happy at the castle. Why did you run and the castle vanished. away?” “Tasilla must have been attacked by a I could tell that Talone was an excellent more powerful sorcerer,” Talone said, “and tracker and there was no use pretending I is most surely dead.” was not up in this tree, so I yelled down my There was no hint of sorrow in the answer. “I overheard you talking with apprentice’s voice. Tasilla about having changed me into a day “Do you not mourn for your dead creature.” master?” I asked. The apprentice remained silent for a “Tasilla was evil. I did not realize this time before speaking. “I am sorry that I until you came and my master turned you

Copyright 2020 K. A. Williams 22 Corner Bar Magazine into a day creature. Can you forgive me for muttered a phrase that popped into my giving you the potion?” head, like I had done at Tasilla’s castle. My “Yes,” I said without hesitation. “But hand passed through the solid wall and I now we must be quiet, a light comes this followed, pulling Talone in after me. way.” “How did you know how to do that?” We crouched low in the meadow grass Talone asked. “You must have done that as the light came toward us from the before at Tasilla’s castle, I wondered how direction of the vanished castle. When it you got out.” and the sorcerer, who we could not clearly I shrugged, uncertain. It was dark inside see, passed us I said softly to Talone, and while we stood there, footsteps echoed “Come, we should follow.” in front of us, moving closer as torches on We stood up together as the light wall holders suddenly flared. advanced toward the forest. “No,” Talone The white-haired sorcerer from my argued. “Why should we become involved dreams appeared before us. “Kanal? Is that with another sorcerer? We are finally free of you? I thought you were dead.” the evil one.” “Yes,” I said. “My name is Kanal, but I “Because this one might be able to have lost my memory. Why did you think I change me back into a night creature,” I was said. dead?” “I doubt that, but we will follow if you “You were my apprentice and I made wish,” Talone said, and cast a weak light you a protective cloak so you could go out spell. “I am afraid to cast a stronger light into the sunlight. One day we went to a for it may be seen.” lake and were attacked by monsters. One I began to question the wisdom of dragged me under the water, but I following this new sorcerer as we stumbled overpowered it with magic. When I through the forest barely able to see with resurfaced, you were gone and I believed the dim light cast by Talone. What if that you had been eaten. You look like a seeking the help of a more powerful day creature now. The luminescence is sorcerer was indeed a mistake? gone from your eyes which are now brown We kept the light in sight until it like your hair. Did my evil apprentice suddenly disappeared. “Where did it go?” Tasilla do this to you with my stolen asked Talone. scroll?” We advanced slowly. “Maybe into the “Yes,” I said. “But I do not fully sorcerer’s castle,” I guessed, reaching out remember you. I lost my memory in a fall. with my fingertips until I touched Can you change me back into a night something cold and hard like a stone wall. creature?” “Here it is.” “Unfortunately, the scrolls that I would I placed my palm on the stone and need to do this with are gone. I only

Copyright 2020 K. A. Williams 23 Corner Bar Magazine wanted to reclaim my stolen scrolls but I ate the fruit along with Talone and Tasilla found me searching for them and watched as Tarkan hunted through a attacked me. I had to defend myself, and wooden cabinet for the ingredients needed the castle was destroyed as the result of our before combining them into a bowl for me dueling magic spells. Thankfully I won and to drink. I had no fear of Tarkan and Tasilla lost. I can, however, easily restore readily drank the potion. your memory with a potion.” They both watched me anxiously. Then Tarkan noticed Talone for the Suddenly all my memories flooded back. I first time. “Who is this?” remembered my tribe, my rite of passage, “My name is Talone. I was the and my decision to become Tarkan’s apprentice of Tasilla who ordered me to apprentice. I also clearly recalled that give Kanal the potion to change a night fateful day at the lake when we both were creature into a day creature. I never saw the attacked by the monsters. scrolls nor did I see the ingredients. Tasilla “I remember everything,” I said. always gave it to me already prepared. I “Thank you. I wish you could have changed know I should not have done it but I was me back into a night creature as easily.” afraid to go against my master’s wishes. I “As do I, but you had already given up did not realize before how evil Tasilla was.” your tribe to become my apprentice, and Tarkan regarded Talone for a while, you know they would not take you back perhaps trying to decide if the apprentice now. This castle has been your home and I was telling the truth or lying. have many more things to teach you. Both “If Kanal can forgive you then so can I. of you if Talone will consent to be my Come with me.” apprentice as well.” We followed Tarkan to a room that had “Yes,” Talone readily agreed. shelves full of books and scrolls. A wooden “Perhaps being a day creature will not bench sat in front of a wooden table. Upon be as bad as you think,” Tarkan said, the table was a small bowl of nuts, a large looking at Talone who was holding my bowl of fruit, and a pitcher of water with hand. v cups beside it. The room seemed vaguely familiar, but my memories were still shrouded.

“Please sit and eat,” Tarkan said, “while I mix the potion.” We sat together on the bench. It seemed to me that I had once been able to crack nuts with my teeth; now I discovered that my teeth were no longer sharp enough to do that.

Copyright 2020 K. A. Williams 24 Corner Bar Magazine “FREEDOM ” by SHAINUR ULLAH

Ed. Note: Welcome to the final episode of and I continued my way. our serialized short novel Freedom . In This one looked quite weak, and I was this story, alien beings feed and survive off very curious to approach him, it was likely the freedoms of humans, who can only that he did not feed long ago, I doubt very combat them by restricting their own much that many people came to that place, rights, even to the point of slavery. See or even that they lived in areas near it, it episodes one through seven in our 2020 was evident that hunger was going to kill issues to catch up and...enjoy.... him soon, or maybe I would, after finding the material I came for. I was curious about Episode Eight the simplicity of the distribution of the rocks, as well as the information contained It was the first time I saw the planet in these, I did not understand why before I earth, well, the first time I stepped on it, needed some extra elements to achieve even so it was terribly familiar, it was a nice what was evident. place to see, I landed the ship in a kind of The inscription indicated that many jungle, and could see how around the land - more people had to accompany me, but I scapes mixed with each other, until com - was not an ordinary human, I had skills, in pleting the beauty of the place. The wise an instant I could very quickly touch all the men gave me a strict route to follow, and rocks so that they would open some kind of they told me that on one occasion, they portal, just as I expected, the floor opened built a bridge over the river to cross, and I showed a path, when I reached the because they feared that I would drown in end I opened the door and found absolute - that place again, that thought made my ly nothing, perhaps the wise men had lied heart feel sorry, yet there he was again, the to me, but I decided to return to the sur - place where he had initiated hope for all. face and think with better clarity. As I With my skills it did not cost me to reach climbed I could see the earth fixedly, and I the temple, which stood among so much realized that it had an irregularity in its vegetation, I went ahead, and I thought I relief, I immediately knew that the rock I was alone, however a horrible Sokorian was was looking for was buried there, I took out next to the structure, it looked like some the necessary implements for the excava - kind of guardian or something, I ignored it tion and I started the search.

Copyright 2020 Shainur Ullah 25 Corner Bar Magazine I dug for a few minutes and found the brought the stone so close to the creature material, I took it out with care, it was a that it was she was forced to touch it and rock of about 10 kilos of weight, this meant with a small explosion, her existence would that the piece would be quite easy to move; turn to ashes, she wanted to know from I stopped to take a look once more around experience what happened to these beings me, I looked at the stone and it was exactly at the minimum contact with this material, the color of my eyes, sure there would be and at that moment, more than ever, she an explanation for that, or maybe it was a was really sure that with some weapons we coincidence, whatever it was, the goal was would have a great opportunity. fulfilled, and I understood that not for the I felt like my memory came back to me first time, I prepared to continue with my suddenly, I could remember all these guys, work, and take that stone to my ship, but but they did not recognize me, although I not before passing by the guardian, what could read from the younger's lips saying was left of this. I walked through the center "it's him, just look at his eyes". Everyone of the monument, and the earth began to seemed to know the story quite well, and I move, and a rumble was heard repeatedly, think that for the first time in a long time, and looking around I could realize that the expedition would go home completely. before me appeared 8 human figures, who We mounted our ship, which fortu - wore costumes similar to the earthly cos - nately was quite large, this group of war - tumes, I remembered All that was said to riors would not have seen each other any - me in the temple of the wise, these were my more, from the time they opened the secret warriors. passage in the earth to remove the stone, Apparently the stone had summoned but had been on different planets ridding them in this moment of need, perhaps this some battles, dying again and again, appar - time the hope was absolutely right, and this ently were not the only ones with that con - had to reach all corners of the universe. It dition, always reincarnated in a warrior, was so important to stay alive, I held my and always with the purpose of ending the stone and continued with firm step to my Librianus and the Sokorians. ship, the boys understood that they would We arrived quickly with the wise men, have to accompany me, but before leaving, I who were already ready to make material had to visit the creature that had surely fin - weapons capable of fighting these creatures, ished with my life or with the life of my who were even more despicable than oth - children companions in the past. When I ers. They also warned us that warriors were approached the rock, this creature let out a very skilled with weapons, and different frightful scream, then at a firm step I went from those creatures that we had faced on straight to that being, with the stone open - earth, apparently these were only travelers, ing, then he looked at me, and his face and did not use their strength to feed, not made signs of having recognized me, I against a people that I could not hurt

Copyright 2020 Shainur Ullah 26 Corner Bar Magazine them, humans were food and nothing else, unimaginable skills for humans, they found they believed that they did not have the themselves in the pursuit of the develop - strength or tools necessary to be at the ment and learning of different combat tech - height of combat, in any of the times when niques, for years and years they were they had visited them. trained as warriors, and unlike me, each The weapons were forged, it is incredi - Once they returned to life, their memories ble to think that almost a thousand could were intact, from their birth they knew be manufactured, the wise decided that their purpose, their mission and their des - only the edges of the weapon were covered tiny. by the material, thus ensuring that these When we had already formed a fairly penetrated the disgusting bodies that we solid army, we decided that we would start were about to fight, and in this way we combat on some planet that these beings could also take advantage of efficiently the have planned their extinction, which they little material that we had. recently wanted to visit, we would have to We already had the weapons, now we fight them separately, we did not have too only had to find the fighters that were many weapons, we should be cautious and going to brandish them, we also needed to intelligent with this operation, we were resort to a strategy, since apparently we had going to disintegrate them until at some a main objective, the Sokovianos and point the leaders were vulnerable and that Librianus leaders, and apparently these would be the ideal moment to end them. were always in the same place : in the war - According to what the elders told us, these rior factory, although this one had not beings had an unbreakable connection been used for a long time, apparently with between them, it was important to kill their the amount they had now was more than leaders, thus we would end up with the enough to realize that they could dominate desire of all to consume the vital energy of an entire galaxy, or a universe, if they want - all the unfortunate beings who came across ed. them. We did not rush, we were quite cau - We decided to go to earth, I had heard tious, and for months, we took care of visit - that humans could not limit themselves ing planets and collecting warriors to fight even more in freedom, that they were for our cause, warriors with special abilities, always from the freest people in spirit and who were skilled in the art of combat. that they had high hopes even if they had Those who had been in some life my com - all the conditions to be unhappy and want panions of expedition, would now be my to finish themselves with their lives. most faithful generals, the warriors that We found a large group of creatures, had been announced long ago. they were gathered in a big city, we moved During the period they were away, they cautiously, there were only a few thousand developed a number of incredible and inhabitants alive on the planet, and the

Copyright 2020 Shainur Ullah 27 Corner Bar Magazine creatures were talking about surrender or capable of reincarnation in the whole extinction, these were the two options they galaxy, and it is curious that they did not proposed for what was left of humanity. have other abilities, but I think that with I was surprised that none of these were this era more than enough to achieve a under any trance, and I could conclude goal, with a promise, and we were again that those who survived, were those with a there, in our old home, fighting for the strong mental power and a will of steel, I freedom of what were once our compan - have seen so many races give their lives so ions. easily, however these they were not willing I was very concerned about the fact to be the food of the creatures, they could that when we fought the battle and were feel the contempt, the hatred and the victorious, humans would be the freest peo - desire to be free that emanated from these ple in the galaxy at that time, and more masses. and more soldiers would come to feed We decided that we would surround themselves, and if they would confront us, the creatures, since we surpassed them in then In that life we had not been born as number, and surrounding them would humans, we were born in distant lands and make them even consider surrendering, our army was composed of thousands of however we would not accept such thing, races of so many planets, we could not save these beings could not survive, or at least ourselves if all the warriors arrived at the that was my wish, the wise ones of course same time. We would have to devise other intended Take prisoners, worse I did not plans later, but first we had to put an end agree with this, so we continue with the to the warriors that we already had almost plan. We landed the remaining ships a few in front, these were our priority. streets away from where both groups were, We started to approach, right behind who wanted to live and be free and the them, who were corralling the crowd of hungry creatures. The thirst that they had humans, then we took a surprise attack, to end the lives of all was palpable, howev - every time our weapons touched the bodies er, could not do much if they did not sur - of these creatures, they emitted a frightful render of their own will, and if they threat - scream, and then, simply turned to ashes, ened to kill them, they would stop being These were turning dust one after another, food immediately and would only become a realizing that they were being attacked, they means of transport to reach others and try attacked us in a frontal combat. I do not to convince them, but that was what they know how long we fought, worse each time were doing at that moment, and it was not we got closer and closer to victory. When I giving them the expected result. was about to reach the ship in which they I am happy that we chose the land as had been transported (I would need it our first ally, that is, my generals came from later), I could see that the spokesman, who there, and also me, from the only people offered the surrender of the humans, was

Copyright 2020 Shainur Ullah 28 Corner Bar Magazine trying to flee, so I made the decision to victory, or at least the warriors and catch him, I ran In a fast way, I could not humans, on the other hand, I was meeting allow them to warn others of what was hap - with my generals to launch the next plan to pening, the surprise factor should remain achieve defeat in a final way is these crea - as our ally, so it would prevent them from tures who wished to dominate existence maintaining communications with the rest completely. of their planets. We all discussed the plan and agreed Thanks to my speed I came to stand that the leaders would never see the sur - right in front of the disgusting being, who prise attack coming, however we needed in a desperate attempt to survive, tried to more information about where the leaders offer me a full life in exchange for surren - would wait for us and what was the meet - der, this seemed like a child's game to me, ing place on the planet Sokoriano, where was in vain everything he said I could talk both races had placed their main barracks, as much as I wanted, but in previous lives the site of operations and training for all they could never convince me, much less warriors of both species. now. There were some parts that did inter - We decided to go for one of the wise est me in the conversation, this creature men, if one of his own species was in front told me to let him get home, that it would of the command of the ship, they would not be long, his leaders always received not be able to detect any anomaly, only them after a fight and that he would tell when it was too late. Then one of my gen - them that they cannot get closer to the erals traveled to bring one of the wise men land, than it did not belong to them (this with him. It took just a few minutes to interested me a lot), already in my mind I return, we decided that we would rest a lit - was devising a plan. I thought about leaving tle and then we would take up arms to this being alive, maybe it could be useful defeat these races that had ended the lives for a while, but, while we had the conversa - of millions and millions of creatures across tion, he tried to touch a button to warn the the length and breadth of space, without rest that they were in danger, then I had to mercy they had seized their bodies and cut his tentacles and immediately became their energy of life had forced them to Ashes, the scream that he released made all enslave themselves and live in really precari - the ears of the planet listen to him, I won - ous conditions. der if on his planet he would hear himself. But on that day no human showed a One of my warriors ended the last different emotion that was not full happi - Sokorian life on planet earth, and with a ness, and even if they knew that these crea - shout of celebration they put an end to this tures would be able to return, they would age of anguish, slavery and death that do the same thing over and over again, humans had lived for millennia, that after - resist, never give their lives to such disgust - noon we dedicated ourselves to celebrate ing and horrendous beings. They felt freer

Copyright 2020 Shainur Ullah 29 Corner Bar Magazine than ever and would not allow anyone to need it now more than me," said the old take away that feeling. man, who had read my thoughts. I took The wise man who had been brought the cross, placed it on a chain and hung it to earth explained to us that for warriors to around my neck, under my clothes so as feel more motivated to enslave and terrorize not to alert the creatures we would visit on beings from other planets, both leaders, the presence of this material. It was time to without fail, made the reception of their leave. heroes in a personal way, then it was more We got on the ship, leaving again the that we would surely find both of them planet that saw us grow and fight a lot of there, and this was our best chance, we times, but that now would see us fight as would try everything. completely free beings, humans now had a Upon leaving our meeting, some lot of work, they had to raise the founda - humans talked with us, appearing to join tions of the new society that they had to our ranks, one of them showed me an build from this moment, I wondered with a object that was strangely known to me, had bit of nostalgia if I would see this planet a cross, the same material that had made again, or grow in it, if I came back, I would the weapons we use in battle, memory like to have the memory of my past lives to came to my mind, but they were not memo - know that we fight and never give up ry of me making use of the cross-shaped before nobody, and to be aware that I man - amulet, they were the memories of one of aged to help free my planet from the claws my generals with the object in question. or rather, the tentacles of the Sokorian "Noah, come here to see this," I said creatures. addressing the group of generals who were We left for Sokoria along with our talking very happy, he just stood in front of army, once we entered the atmosphere of this human, and stared at the cross, had an this planet the surprise factor took us and expression of longing, as a kind of sadness not them, apparently the chaos had already that does not it completely reflected,} "it broken out, and we had not even set foot was from my parents" was the only thing he on the planet. The Sokorians asked for said while stroking it for a few minutes, reinforcements to our ship, so we asked per - and then he added "and now it's yours" and mission to land very close to the battle, with this he closed the hand of the human, worse before opening the ship, the sage who was trying to offer it back, and so who accompanied us told us which were Without saying more, my general left the the leaders of both groups, and after a very place where we were. brief explanation we He said that at that I had not detailed this man well, and moment, it was the Sokorianos who were when I stared at him I realized he was very controlling everything, they surpassed their old, accompanying us to the battle would teachers, therefore we had to overcome the be a death sentence for him. "Here, you leader of the Sokorians, who was fighting

Copyright 2020 Shainur Ullah 30 Corner Bar Magazine with a kind of staff in his hand. hand and I promised him we would be When we opened the door, many of free, and he joked and said "the promises these Sokorians were surprised to see that are very good", he smiled and his life went we were not what they expected, we imme - off, I was really affected, but I had to keep diately ran into battle, but we realized that fighting, one by one I saw my army fall, the it would be more difficult on their planet, wise man was right, these creatures were because here the guns were converted into much more powerful and intelligent than lizards. I mortally wounded them and then anyone could expect, so I tried to end life I knew we were fighting as equals. The largest number of these, and little by We ran and started to fight, we noticed little I was approaching the leader, but we that there were the same number of fallen were losing, that was for sure, the only from both sides, and that only the one who chance to win was reaching him. persisted was going to win in this impor - Apparently, the leader of this move - tant battle, I fought with all my strength, ment that we had found in Sokoria felt the with the aim of getting to where the leader same as me, because when I looked up, was, but there were many creatures willing there he was, ready to face this supreme to not let me pass, yet I kept trying, again creature, from one moment to the next, and again. The leader looked imper - they were fighting, but the leader of the turbable, and I was still focused on the bat - movement fell on his knees in front of the tle. A huge creature appeared in front of creature, who offered him freedom and he me, ready to face me, I would keep busy for seemed to accept it, I do not know what a long time, and it was really big, my gener - came next, I just remember that the staff of als seeing this, they decided to accompany the Sokoria leader changed color, and this me and fight by my side, the creature gave as it weakened or something similar , us a big blow and we started to fight In a because at any moment the scene had tough way, there was no tomorrow, we had changed, the Sokorians were surprised, to win and try to reach the leader. We tried scared, then this guy had a weapon, and I to remove the horrible creature of the step thought that it would end the life of the but we paid a very expensive price, this creature, or that it would lock him up, as ended the lives of three of my generals, and the wise ones wanted, nevertheless The I, full of rage climbed up to his head and same creature suggested that they kill him, stuck the gun in it, the creature fell in a and so it happened, they took out a laser resounding way. weapon and aimed at his head. I fell as well, and as soon as I recovered Everything was over, or at least we I went to a very wounded Noah, I took his thought so. v

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Copyright 2020 Shainur Ullah 31 Corner Bar Magazine