Isle of the Fairy Ring
Storyfeather
A folklorist is swept up in a journey to find the proof that supports her seemingly preposterous notion about porcupines and fairy tales. Genre: Fairy Tale Excerpt:Tommie’s conjecture concerned the many fairy tales where a sudden growth of thorny vines encompassed a tower or a castle to protect, or more likely imprison, a young woman possessing some degree of power—a princess of surpassing beauty, say, or a sorceress. That growth was typically attributed to a magic spell cast by an evil witch or jealous warlock. Tommie allowed that magic and wickedness may have been involved, or...
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The Last Magnificent Seahorse
Storyfeather
A humble seahorse reconstructs his form by studying his fellow fish, and emerges as the most magnificent creature to grace the sea. Genre: Mythology, Fable Excerpt:“We are only one of many different kinds of horses,” his mother said. “And all of us, the ones who fly through storm, the ones who canter on land, the ones who wander in dreams, we all came from one place, the sea. We all came from the first horses, who dwelt in the sea, and dwell there still, though they haven’t been seen in many ages.” The Wheel of Fiction Turns. What did it land on this time?Each Season 9 story...
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Gaharalil
Storyfeather
A turtle of great renown receives a great gift, and with that gift, a terrible burden no other turtle has ever known. Genre: Fable, Mythology Excerpt:When Gaharalil slipped into the water, he was seized by a sensation. It rippled across the surface of his body, his skin. The spark of sensation bolted through his skin to his muscles, his belly, his heart. It flooded him with joy. It raised him up like a cresting wave. He floated in the sensation to the water’s surface and beyond, up into the heavens, where the stars dwelt and all was wonder. The Wheel of Fiction Turns. What did...
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River Fisher and Blue Dragon
Storyfeather
The unlikely encounter between a river fisher bird and a slug of the sea inspire both to strike a bargain to explore the powers and limits of their forms. Genre: Fable Excerpt: Halceyx cocked her head. “I’ve never encountered a poisonous river slug before. This is most adventurous.” “I am not a river slug. I am a slug of the sea. I am called Irsid. And I have come to the river to explore.” The Wheel of Fiction Turns. What did it land on this time?Each Season 9 story follows a theme chosen by the Wheel of Fiction. Thirteen spokes. Eight are the themes from previous...
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Silent Serpent Under Sea
Storyfeather
On the verge of death, a penultimate god leaves behind a terrible enemy and an unexpected legacy. Genre: Mythology Excerpt: “If the tunnels aren’t dangerous, why would anyone close them on purpose?” “I didn’t say they weren’t dangerous.” I nodded. Of course. Knowledge was dangerous. And knowledge was what we would find at the end of this tunnel. The Wheel of Fiction Turns. What did it land on this time?Each Season 9 story follows a theme chosen by the Wheel of Fiction. Thirteen spokes. Eight are the themes from previous seasons. One is “Turn Again.” One is...
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The Ace of Pumpkins
Storyfeather
The Ace of Pumpkins is invited as the guest of honor to a peculiar dinner at the High House of Clovers. Genre: Fairy Tale Excerpt: The Pumpkin Ace did not know whether to expect favor and praise or horrific humiliations. She only knew that any who left the table may not return. She only knew that the price for leaving the table before her host might be a terrible one. Might be. Her triumph or her doom depended upon the whims and fancies of her esteemed host, the King of the House of Clovers… The Wheel of Fiction Turns. What did it land on this time?Each Season 9 story follows a...
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A Proximite and a Human
Storyfeather
Two ordinary transport technicians, working their first shift together, are assigned to drive a high-profile prisoner. Genre: Science Fiction Excerpt: “Proximites and humans are both relatively fragile species—no offense—when it comes to space travel. But here on solid earth…well, you’re still fragile, but you have certain qualities that come in handy should there be any problems with this particular prisoner.” Javier felt a lurch in his fragile human gut. “Should we expect any problems, sir?” The Wheel of Fiction Turns. What did it land on this time?Each Season 9...
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The Apprentice Who Dazzles
Storyfeather
A self-help instructor helps himself to the most dazzling part of his newest protégé…her soul. Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Mystery Excerpt: This ‘man who dazzles’ seemed to be the real deal. Under the smoothed down hair, and the pressed suits, and the glinting gold cuff links, the rings, the chains, and that slight brush of coppery glitter just at his temples, there was substance. There was a man who could teach others to dazzle as well. I wanted to meet him and talk to him. The Wheel of Fiction Turns. What did it land on this time?Each Season 9 story follows a...
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A Carnival of Cakes
Storyfeather
Three siblings created their own game to play each year at winter solstice, a game that has grown and changed as they have, sometimes in unexpected ways. Genre: Fantasy Excerpt: No one knew anything in the beginning of their journeys. They only started knowing things by going on the journey. By making decisions before they even knew what the right decision was. And they told me that it was better to learn some lessons in a game than it was to learn them in real life. The Wheel of Fiction Turns. What did it land on this time?Each Season 9 story follows a theme chosen by the Wheel of...
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The Unicellular Detective
Storyfeather
While investigating a murder, a single-celled detective encounters bacterial filaments, proto-multicellular colonies, and a new concept called “love.” Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction Excerpt: “It’s not an accident,” Dina said. She spun out a flagellum to wave to him. Harry sighed. “I wouldn’t be here if it was.” He glanced over at the couple of uniformed diatoms who were keeping any floaters-by from getting too close a look at the crime scene. He glided toward Dina. “How’s your day so far, Doc?” he asked. “Same as yours, I imagine. But much, much better than...
info_outlineA young man boards a train to visit family, only to learn he is a day late for his visit, but just in time to suffer disaster.
Genre: Mystery, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Excerpt:
A man laughed and said, “Just shuffle the cards.”
My heart skipped a beat.
I saw a bright flash of light. I heard an intense, painful screech. The train car lurched. People screamed, and then—
What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode?
Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it’s connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on.
The inspiration for this episode is a story I once wrote about a woman on the subway who missed her stop and ended up arriving at the previous day, “Subway to Yesterday.”
MY FIRST BOOK (yay)
Ever wonder how I’ve gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer’s Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.
It’s now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.
The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.
Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE
The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletters. Fictioneering mischief and writing tips. Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)
MERCH!
Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork?
Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE
CREDITS
Story: “Tomorrow's Train Today” Copyright © 2021 by Nila L. Patel
Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel
Music:
“Cry No More – (A) Melody Loop” by Tao & Sound (Inro & Outro)
“Cry No More – (B) Melody Loop” by Tao & Sound (Inro & Outro)
“Abstract Vision #5” by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)
Music by ANDREW SITKOV
“Abstract Vision #6”
“Abstract Vision #3”
Music by TAO & SOUND
“Cyberjazz Nights” (full track)
“I Never Gave Up – (B) Drums & Bass Loop”
“Cry No More - (B) Drums & Bass Loop”
“Cry No More – (A) Melody Loop”
“I Never Gave Up – (B) Melody Loop”
“I Never Gave Up – (A) Melody Loop”
“Cyberjazz Nights – (A) Drums & Bass Loop”
“Cry No More – (A) Drums & Bass Loop”
“Noir Blvd – (A) Drums & Bass Loop”
“Cry No More – (B) Melody Loop”
“Noir Blvd – (B) Drums & Bass Loop”
“U Never Had to Exist – (A) Drums & Bass Loop”
“Noir Blvd – (B) Melody Loop”
“U Never Had to Exist – Intro”
“U Never Had to Exist – (A) Melody Loop”
All these tracks are part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.
Music by Andrew Sitkov and Tao & Sound is licensed from GameDev Market
Sound effects from AudioJungle, and GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg)
Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.
Find more music by Tao & Sound and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net
Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com
Episode Art Description:
Digital drawing. View down the middle of a train car. Several seats are visible, but only two are occupied. At far right, a young man is asleep, his left elbow propped on the window edge, his head resting in his hand. His other hand lies on his lap, holding a rectangular object. It’s dark outside the windows. At far left, an older man with a table attachment propped up, holding a cup of coffee in his right hand. His left arm and hand are curled around a briefcase that lies on the table. He’s glancing to his left. It’s bright outside the windows on his side. At center, standing in the aisle is the same young man who’s seen sleeping. He is surrounded by a glowing light. His arms hang by his side. He’s holding a cell phone in his right hand. His brows are raised and his mouth parted. Watermark of “Storyfeather” along right side of the young man’s jacket.