There are stories that begin in one place and end in another, taking a bumpy but relatively straightforward route. There are mystery stories that seek to surprise you by making you guess who/how/whatdunnit. And then there are stories, seemingly innocuous, that take your hand and pull you along, and then, right towards the end, spin you around to show you something you had never considered, like the following…
“The Bone Flute Quartet” by KJ Kabza
Bretchen, like everyone else in her world, grew up listening to the stories of Myrra Ferrinn, the infamous witch who was eventually lynched by the public, her dismembered limbs paraded in every street to announce her defeat. Despite the stories, Bretchen wants to be a witch and her Ommama supports the decision, although her Mémé would rather she went to a knittery and learned something respectable.
Ommalai gives Bretchen her bone flute and a recommendation letter, which actually includes directions for what she should do next: find a man who will tell her how one becomes a witch. She does and he tells her the true story of Myrra’s death, the events that happened after the witch died. Turns out, there’s more to her story, and to the bone flute. Bretchen doesn’t know how that’ll make her a witch, but she’s determined to become one, whatever it takes. A delightful read with an equally delightful ending.
“Night Desk Duty at the Infinite Paradox Hotel” by Aimee Ogden
If you’re not familiar with the Infinite Hotel Paradox, this stunning video by TED-Ed is a good introduction. Dave sits at the night desk of a hotel that never runs out of rooms. He’s nice, committed to the “corporate promise” of always having rooms available, and has never given his customers or superiors a reason to complain. It’s not a difficult job when you know your way around prime numbers and exponents, but tonight, it seems that there’s no end to new arrivals. Can Dave keep up without destroying his record of excellent service?
“Godfather Death, in His Own Words” by John Wiswell
Wiswell’s story is a retelling of the legend of Death’s godson, who goes on to be a doctor (there is also a TED-Ed video about the original tale, if you’re interested!). When the doctor cheats his godfather for his own benefit, Death is angry but forgives him. Eventually, when it’s time for the doctor to pass on, Death takes him beyond and shows him what his cheating cost. But the doctor is not the godson Death knows him to be; he sees an opportunity here, too. How will Death respond now?
“Hope for Enthos” by Addison Smith
Enthos is a gargoyle, stuck as a stone statue. All he needs is for the girl in the building opposite where he stands as a statue to unwind the music box on her bedside. One turn is all it’ll take. Will the girl set him free and end his waiting?
“A String of Paper Dolls” by Sage Tyrtle
Sometimes the problem with recommending stories with unexpected endings is that it becomes difficult to explain what those stories are about without also spoiling the surprise; this is one of them.
A group of friends decide who gets to approach the new cute guy at school first. But he turns out to be something of a weirdo and knows things about the girls that the girls themselves don’t know—not because he’s a creep, but because he is stuck in a place that he can’t get out of. And no one wants to accept it when he tells them what that place is, or who all of them really are.
“…That Has Such People in It” by Jennifer Pelland
The aliens are visiting Earth to determine if it’s suitable for membership in their interplanetary congregation. The poor and the downtrodden are hidden underground, lest they ruin Earth’s chances. No one knows when they’ll be brought back up again, if at all. And no one knows what would happen once they’re back. When the underground population finally emerges, they’re given something none of them expected to ever receive, making them reconsider their time away entirely.
“Congratulations, Clockholder!” by R.L. Thull
You know how they say time is money? What if it really was? In this story, time can literally be exchanged with money, thanks to the Bank of Chronos Platinum Credit Clock, which you’ve been preapproved to receive. No longer in need of a job, you submit your resignation, get a better house and car, and travel all over the world. And lo, there’s another exciting offer from the Bank. The Clock has already given you so much in return for years of your life, what’s a few years more? The offers keep coming, and you keep redeeming them, although there’s a very tiny feeling inside you that thinks there could be more, more, more…
