Cover art for the anthology “Emerald.”

In a world nearly depopulated of humans by a rogue comet, burned out Army veteran Terry Martin and his German Shepherd Roscoe wander into an emerald colored Las Vegas, dyed by the algae that covers everything, only to discover that the human monsters who are left are more dangerous than he realized…and more seductive.

The Black Hare Press anthology Emerald is for sale now. It features my dystopian horror short story “Green Eyes.”

Here’s an excerpt:

Terry couldn’t decide if they should sleep inside the office which only had a few access points between doors which could be barricaded and broken windows which had to be blocked off. In the end, he chose to have everyone sleep outdoors near the fire. It gave him easier access to refueling the blaze and he’d gotten used to sleeping under the stars. He listened to crickets chirping in the darkness and thought it was funny the comet didn’t change any of the bugs.

“I’m worried about Roscoe, Reggie.” Terry was sitting cross-legged on his new sleeping bag, He was slowly sipping from a bottle of bourbon, the buzz not at all taking the edge off of his anxiety. “He’s been so still and he feels kind of hot.” The dog was laying between him and the mutant, his middle moving up and down with his fast breathing.

“What is Reggie?” She was still wearing the shirt, but it was completely open in front. She didn’t seem at all bothered by the light from the large bonfire and had been staring at the dog most of the time.

“Your name,” answered Terry. “I mean I have to call you something and you said you didn’t even know what a name means.”

“Reggie?” she said quizzically.

“It’s…uh, the name of someone in a movie, a girl. You don’t look like her but I guess it fits anyway.”

“Roscoe.” Reggie put her hand on his back and the dog didn’t react. Then she looked at Terry. “Terry.”

“That’s my name,” he said. “Now your name is Reggie.”

“Reggie.” She put her hand on her tummy just below her breasts.

“Yeah.” Terry nodded. “That okay with you?”

She nodded and for the first time, tried to smile. It looked both gruesome and a little sweet.

“No more poison.” Reggie pointed at the bottle he had resting between his legs.

“I know what you mean,” said Terry. “Doesn’t exactly make me battle ready in case some of your kinfolk decide to hit us.” He took another swig.

“It’s bad,” she said.

“Now you sound like my mom,” Terry smiled sheepishly.

“Mom?”

“You guys have to have moms and dads,” said Terry. “I mean how do you keep your line going assuming you’re not immortal or something.”

Reggie shook her head.

“I know,” said Terry. “You’re probably just a kid anyway.”

“Kid?”

“You know, not a grown up, not adult,” answered Terry. “Can’t have babies yet.”

“Old enough.” Reggie’s fingers rested on her lower abdomen, stirring uncomfortable feelings up for Terry.

“You have kids?” he asked.

“No.” Reggie looked sad. “Men not…” Her face twisted in concentration. “…because different.”

“Well, I guess.” Terry felt himself blushing then his strange temptation made him squirm.

“Cold.” Reggie rubbed her hands over her arms.

“Button up then,” said Terry. “Or get inside the sleeping bag.” He’d kept his old torn up one as a shield for her during daylight. She was sitting on it and Terry realized he should have gotten her a new one, too. He just wasn’t thinking that far ahead.

“Warm.” Reggie reached out to him, her arms casting shadows over the sleeping Roscoe.

“You’re kidding, right?” Terry moved a little away from her.

“Scared,” she murmured. “Keep me warm.” Her eyes reflected firelight like hot coals on emerald ice. “Please.”

“I, uh…” He looked down at Roscoe. He was still breathing fast but Terry had done all he could for him. Except for the crickets and the crackling fire, the night was quiet and he’d thrown fresh wood on the blaze not too long ago.

I guess,” he stuttered. “I mean…this is so wrong.”

Read the entire tale plus all of the other stories interpreting a world in green in the anthology Emerald.