fact or fiction
Is it science fact or science fiction? Futurism presents both sides to determine the truth.
Memory Bank
I awoke in the forest watching the fog of my breath dissipate into the clouds. It was peaceful at first. I didn't make sense of the “Ma’am. Ma’am. Ma’am,” being rhythmically petitioned or even feel the stick jabbing in concert into my ribs, a small group of hikers nudging my body. When I sat upright to take stock of my situation, they gasped and stepped back.
By Mischa Gal5 years ago in Futurism
The Life-changing Black Book
What would you do if you stumbled upon a goldmine wrapped up in a little black book? This is what happened to 26-year-old Brandon walking to work one day like usual. As he was going to stop by his local 7/11. He noticed a little black book on the floor with numbers written on it. Upon first glance, it was just gibberish. A bunch of numbers written down that didn’t have any rhyme or reason. As he entered the convenience store reading the book he was startled by the shop owner that greeted him as he walked in. “Hey Brandon, what’s up?” “Oh, hey Moe how’s it going?”
By Breauna Wilson5 years ago in Futurism
Dollars, Doubloons and Dreams
The sun poured over Alex’s outstretched limbs as if it were a sentient being. It grazed the corners of his assortment of haphazardly-strewn books, their spines contorted and their once vibrant and relevant highlighted passages now dull and lifeless. Ambivalence hung in the air. A window was open; perhaps a subconscious remedy for the stifling atmosphere of the room.
By Karolina Rembiesa5 years ago in Futurism
Unexpected Genies
Based on a true story. Do not ask how or why. Simply accept that there is magic that happens all around us every day. "Quit jokin'! It ain't right to mess with people's hearts and minds, Cara!" Almost imperceptibly, the briefest look of impossible hope had flickered across Billy's face before being replaced with annoyance.
By Tiger Lily5 years ago in Futurism
Strange Happenings on the Bus
If I stretch my leg a little further, uh a little more, that’s right, come to me. Phew, got it. Why are these rows of seats so darn close together? I hope I don’t break my neck reaching for it after I’ve put my hip out to drag it out from under. Urgh, gotcha you shy little … what have we here then?
By Karen Madej5 years ago in Futurism
The Monkey's Paw
In the year 49 BCE, a Roman man, Julius Caesar, comes upon a man with the severed Paw of a monkey during his conquest across the world. The man claims it is a magical artifact, it will grant three wishes to each of its users, yet the process by which the wish comes to fruition may not be as wished. He begs Julius to take it - claiming that he has seen its awful effects and wants it nowhere near himself or his family. Julius consults with his traveling companions, who assure him that the man must be lying, so he takes it. He places it with his other artifacts and forgets about it.
By Landry Oliver5 years ago in Futurism
The Secret of the Mansion
Truth be told I don’t want to die in that way, I just wish there was some way to disappear from life temporarily. I made it back to my bedroom and glanced at a little black notebook that sat atop my nightstand. It was actually a journal of bucket lists that I wrote back in college. I skimmed through the pages and realized how dark some of my goals were. Suddenly, I saw something strange. On one of the pages, I apparently wrote “ come across $20,000.” Um, was I high when I wrote this? Come across? Like I expected to magically find $20,000 somehow without earning it? I couldn’t recall what led me to write this or what even happened. I wracked my brain but I couldn’t think of anything. Frustrated that I was nowhere near ever reaching this goal, I slumped back into bed and closed my eyes.
By Yvonne Tran5 years ago in Futurism
A Simple Wish
It was a miserable January day, rainy, cold and grey. She was almost arriving at work. She felt trapped, wishing that the bus journey would last forever, feeling the sinking hopelessness of another work day in a job where she was miserable. If only she had enough money to at least live a happy life outside of work, but no. Sarah was on less than minimum wage, washing dishes, with the world’s weight on her shoulders. Just turned thirty and had nothing to show for herself. No career, no savings, no partner, no actual belongings, except for a few bits and bobs, and the dreading realisation that the world was near its end. Global warming was progressing faster than ever and modern society was falling apart. “If only time would stand still for a minute!” she whispered. Time was beginning to run out on her. At her age, her mom was already married with kids and with a good job. Sarah couldn’t be farther from that reality. Days, months and years would go by while she was stuck in this never ending routine.
By Joana Neves5 years ago in Futurism
Little Black Book
It had been a year since I had naively accepted the contract that was supposed to change everything. The offer, when it came, had read like something out of a dream I had lazily hoped for a decade ago. When the letter had come wax sealed on thick, expensive stationary, I saw stars. Hiram Thomas’ firm in Dorchester, England was the stuff of legend in the fiction community, particularly for his fantasy pieces. He had an extremely small, intimate team who churned out a book once every few years. But every work was a masterpiece. My letter had said that my work could bring a refreshing perspective on their team. Writing under Hiram’s brilliant tutelage would be just what my stale career needed. What I found, however, was a grouchy, insane old man who lived like a recluse in a cottage on a hillside.
By Emily Morro5 years ago in Futurism
