SUPERNATURAL SHORT STORY COMPETITION WINNERS
Always In Memory
by James Perkin
James Perkin has been an avid reader for as long as he can remember. He especially enjoys writing science fiction but as a long-term WM subscriber, and recently resolving to enter a competition monthly, he is trying out different genres and styles.
After his first shortlisting just under a year ago, he has now won twice in consecutive months.
Read the judges’ comments at http://writ.rs/ wmoct22
Oscar Harold, eyes closed, breathed in deeply. He held it for ten seconds then slowly exhaled. Calmness washed over him; his heartbeat decreased and he could feel the fog lifting – his mind cleared.
He opened his eyes and stared deeply into the mirror. He wished Kent was still here.
The intercom cracked, then Zelda’s voice: ‘Oscar. Five minutes to go.’
He turned to the camera in the corner, nodded and gave a thumbs-up. He was ready.
*****
‘Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to Launch Night!’ He sounded more confident that he felt and could feel the nerves rising. God, he so wished Kent was here – this was his forte – selling the dream. He caught himself – forget that, he just wished he was here full stop.
He squinted in the harsh stage lights and continued. ‘Tonight, we see the next step in the evolution of remembrance, the next step in using technology to keep our loved ones always in our hearts, always in our minds. Always In Memory!’
The crowd went crazy. Of course they did. Rent-a-fanboy overload, numbers bulked out by eager interns. Maybe he was learning from Kent after all? Can you learn from a dead man?