The Grey Stride

Gull wants one thing in life. To feel alive. But in this district, the sun never shines. Buildings clutter out the sky. Dirt clings to everything. Life hides in the cracks. Gull doesn't know, but suspects. If only there were a way to peek in between. Even briefly. "Take Tranquility," Fox the trusted colleague advises. Once you go Tranq- you never go back. A single bar in all the district sells it. Specific behaviors are necessary to buy it. Gull agrees to everything. In a single shot, everything come apart. The cracks reveal a truth Gull has been missing all along. Can Gull survive the aftermath?

Rei Rosenquist writes the Broken Circle stories from a dark place, holding a black hope close to a faintly beating heart. These stories bring you a gritty speculative future so hollow it will leave you hunting, squinting, begging for light.

A short story in approximately 7500 words.

Rei Rosenquist first remembers life as seen out the high window of a hotel balcony. Down below is a courtyard, swarms of brightly dressed tourists, the beach. The memory is nothing but a blue-green washed image. Warmth and sunlight. Here, they are three years old, and this is the beginning of a nomadic story-teller's life.
Over the years, they have traveled to many countries, engaged many peoples, picked up new habits, and learned new languages. But, some things never change. For them, these are stories, food service, and traveling. These three passions have bloomed from hobbies, studies, and jobs into a way of life.
These days, Rei can be found in between Tokyo, Kailua, and Bellingham, Washington pouring beautiful latte art, baking off a batch of famous savory scones, and cozying up with a laptop to obsessively write mountains of dark speculative fiction.
You can find Rei's stories and blog at reirosenquist.com. You can also reach them via email at reirosenquist@gmail.com or connect via Facebook (Rei Rosenquist), Twitter (rylrosenquist) and Instagram (rylrosenquist).