Content warning: compulsion
I don’t notice the difference in beguiling flattery coming from your mouth right off. You always turn to wheedling me when you want something. I’ve learned to shut down the listening part of my brain when you get going.
But tonight, the shadows have grown long across the prairie, yet still you haven’t given up asking. I can’t imagine you’d want to visit the corner store with your friends this bad.
I frown, realizing. Turning to you, I say, “You can just ask.”
Your eyes widen as I break the compulsion. “Please help—something’s tellin’ me to ask to go outside.”
Check it out on TikTok
Listen to me read this story to you!
Thanks for reading!
Subscribe to my list of readers who get new stories, sneak peeks, and book reviews delivered to their inboxes.
Summer’s Latest
Little Blue Marble 2022: Warmer Worlds
Featuring “I Hope This Email Does Not Find You!”
The last eight years have been the warmest on record.
Little Blue Marble‘s anthology of speculative climate fiction and poetry from an international slate of authors mourns and hopes in equal measure for the fate of our world and its ecosystems.
May these visions of the future inspire collective action before climate chaos becomes irreversible.
Purchase
Show Your Support
If you enjoy my writing, please consider leaving a tip. All amounts welcome!
S. G. Baker's Blog 