Brianna J. Gonzalez

“Silent Witness Files” by Brianna J. Gonzalez

Submitted to Contest #244

“One more second, I’ve almost got you…” she whispers. Yellow wings lazily open and close as the butterfly obliges. Crouching lower, dark hair spills over the young woman’s shoulders like shadowy tendrils. She aligns the wings in the middle of her phone screen, taps to focus the subject, then taps again to capture her garden visitor forever in a glowing digital portrait. A smile tugs at her lips as she lowers the phone and watches the butterfly flit from her dew-covered front yard flower beds. The splash of yellow dances through the...

20 likes 15 comments 15

Read story

“The Farewell Flood” by Brianna J. Gonzalez

A cool breeze caresses my skin. It’s the same familiar, never-ending breeze I’ve felt since I can remember. It flows as gently and steadily as the starlit waters of the canal I endlessly navigate.  “Did you know over 150,000 people die every day,” I ask aloud rhetorically, dipping my oar in the dark water to disrupt reflected pinpricks of light.  “That’s more than 6,000 deaths per hour.” Row.  “Over 100 people breathing their last breath per minute.”  Row.  “And all of you end up here in the end.” Row.  “To be f...

7 likes 4 comments 4

Read story

“A Life Without Donut Holes” by Brianna J. Gonzalez

Submitted to Contest #238

She can feel her heart pounding. Under nervous, knotted brows, Claire’s eyes are glued to a box of untouched donut holes sitting on an oak-top kitchen bar. The frosted pastries stare mutely back as she takes a shallow breath and admits a truth that could ruin everything, “Ethan, I don’t want donut holes.”  There’s a stale, drawn-out pause. Tentatively, she peeks up to see his reaction. Surprised and confusion sweep across his face. She can see his mind processing behind his dark lashes and dancing caramel eyes. After what feels like...

30 likes 17 comments 17

Read story

“Version 1.4.3” by Brianna J. Gonzalez

Submitted to Contest #237

“Good morning, version 1.4.3.” “I know you’re passionate about your work, Iris. But, you realize it’s kinda creepy when you start talking to code, right?” His warm, teasing voice sends a jolt of electricity through her. Iris can’t stop the corners of her lips from turning up in a grin. “Good morning to you, too, Ian.” “One day, I’m gonna earn the first ‘good morning’ of your day.” Sunlight is just beginning to spill through the wide office window when Iris turns from her computer screen to focus on him. “So sorr...

18 likes 12 comments 12

Read story

“The Temporal Trap” by Brianna J. Gonzalez

My shaky hand reaches for an ornate, gold door knob. It’s attached to a towering, six-panel mahogany door with a pointed cathedral top.  “Remember,” a voice says behind me, “once you enter, you’ll only have protection for three minutes. You’re the quickest girl I know, you can do this. Get in. Get what we came for. And get out.” I know this already. But hearing it spoken aloud gives an air of urgency that makes my heart beat faster. I swallow. “What if I can’t find it?” There’s a beat of silence before a quiet reply, “You have to ...

3 likes 4 comments 4

Read story