Celestina smiled gratefully as the man lifted the squalling child from her. Doubling over, she heaved racking coughs, trying to empty her lungs of smoke just as the building belched it as well.

A wet cough sounded above, leaking through the floor like fire sand through a sieve. Raelle fled for the stairs, disregarding the vials and calibrators on the workbench. “Mama,” Raelle cried.

The air screamed, blasting out through the release while Anstan weighed the chain with his body. Peering through the steam’s haze, he spotted Lisindra fluttering near the dial. The dial clustered within superheated machinery. Not a lick of sense in that one. “Oy,” he cried.

Wednesday has come around again, and I’m happy to present this week’s flash fiction. Missale picked up the hearty teacup from the table and sipped. Rapping her nail against the cup, she looked at none of the women seated around the small table. Athet sat stiffly across the table. Her gaze remained fixed on her…

Nothing stood out about the residence to Tobias Rowntree. Bright bay windows sheltered beneath the steep roof, offering an excellent view of the street. Perfectly normal for Adenaros’ wealthier district.

But not.