Jaden Garcia

“My First Job” by Jaden Garcia

Another couple walks right past the “PLEASE WAIT TO BE SEATED” sign, sitting themselves down at a table that clearly has not been bussed or wiped yet.  Mary Lou groans, politely disengaging herself from conversation with another customer at the counter.  She grabs menus and approaches the new couple.  Front of the house is packed today.  People just keep walking in, it’s almost as though someone invited them.  Like. Who would just invite people into a place of business?  It’s disgusting, I say.  There sho...

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“Sunset” by Jaden Garcia

Submitted to Contest #83

“Mor-gan!” I would be able to recognize that call from miles away. My brother’s voice seems to echo across the dock, over the sound of the restless waves and bustling people.  The humans don’t seem to notice his aura of wrath as he stalks closer.  I debate making a dive for it.  We’ve already had this conversation like a hundred times, and it’d be much more appealing to leave before my brother can catch me.  But then again, he could outswim me any day.  And you’d never in a million years get me to admit this ou...

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“Life Before My Eyes” by Jaden Garcia

Submitted to Contest #82

CLINK. Clink clink clinkclinkclick. My brief life flashes before my eyes as the bolt rolls across the floor. The chunk of skin-like material that is intended to look like my ear is in my hand.  Everything is moving in slow motion.  The dance music coming from the hidden speakers around the room suddenly sounds screechy and threatening.  Why did I come here?  Father told me not to. “You’re not ready, Mina.” Or “Just wait a little longer, Mina.” Whenever I asked. “There are too many people out there, Mina.  A cro...

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“The Things You'll Do For Lov--- I mean Science” by Jaden Garcia

Submitted to Contest #48

The cemetery is in complete silence at this hour. It’s as if no noise will dare to disturb the solemnity of the place, the slumbering spirits. No other living souls appear to be present, aside from myself. The moon is full, bathing the rows upon rows of headstones with a silver light. A shiver runs down my spine as I walk the all too familiar path, trying to tread softly so as to not upset the silence. How many lost souls have come to their final resting place at this site? How much suffering have their families and loved ones gone thro...

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“A Responsibility to Try” by Jaden Garcia

Submitted to Contest #47

Fire rained from the sky and ash was dancing through the streets. Below you, through the smoke, you can see buildings toppling. They are melting from the sheer heat of the phenomenon.  As you look out the thick, protective window of the bunker you think about how wrong the weather forecast had been. Certainly wasn’t the first time that day the thought had crossed your mind. It just had to be today. The end of the world couldn’t have waited for tomorrow? C’mon, guys! How am I supposed to clean this one up? You briefly imagine how thi...

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“Eternally” by Jaden Garcia

Submitted to Contest #46

Nothing lasts forever, but for her, life seemed to be an eternal loop.  Ruth shivered, pulling her wrap closer around her tired shoulders. She had made herself move out onto the rickety wooden porch to watch the sunrise, but was quickly regretting it. The beauty found in the sky could often soothe her loneliness, if just for the brief periods of time that it lasted.  But it was Pennsylvania, where you could experience every season throughout the course of a single day.  Ruth had seen a long life, and she knew well wha...

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