We have a tie.The rules for the tie-break are simple:
Each member has only one vote to cast
No member may vote for his or her own story
You have until 23:59 (GMT) on Wednesday, November the 20th to make your choice.
The two stories still in contention:
Sunrise by Victoria Silverwolf
Miyumi Nashimura felt like a clumsy robot in arctic clothing and oxygen mask, but it was better than a spacesuit. Tiny bits of ice – real ice, not that carbon dioxide stuff – glittered near her heavy boots as she shuffled through rust-colored sand and rocks. After decades of superhuman effort, this part of Mars was wetter than Death Valley, warmer than central Siberia in winter, and had almost as much breathable air as the top of Mount Everest.
Dozens of similarly dressed people, some young enough to have been born here, stood on a low rise just ahead, gazing up at Phobos. The potato-shaped moon wasn't much to look at, even now, at dusk, when Sol was nearly directly opposite. Quite a bit smaller than Luna seen from Earth, and not anywhere near as bright, but something more than just another star.
Miyumi turned around to watch the sunset. Pale pink above, deep blue near the horizon. Soon there was only star-sprinkled darkness.
"You don't want to miss the big show." Jira Anong stood at her side. He always looked like a dancer, graceful and powerful, even in heavy winter gear. "Just a few minutes left."
They joined the others on the rise. Some kind of human instinct to seek higher ground, she supposed, even though the view would be the same from a crater.
The crowd cried out, almost as one. Many raised their arms, as if they could touch the sky. Phobos blazed overhead, a new sun born from controlled fusion. Somewhere on the other side of the planet Deimos did the same. Was it really already warmer now, or was that her imagination?
"We'll have to rename them," Jira said. "No more Fear and Terror."
"Yes. Elpis and Chara. Hope and Joy."
A Friend In Need… by mosaix
“We were on a camping holiday and he wandered off into the woods one evening. Says he was following a light. Lost for hours. Took the police with a search party to find him. He hasn’t been the same since… When he does talk it’s about imaginary friends… He says things like…“
“Thank you, Mr. Henderson. Most children of his age have imaginary friends. That’s quite normal. But perhaps we could hear about it in Frankie’s own words? Frankie? Are you happy to tell me about the night in the woods when you got lost?”
“I didn’t get lost, Miss. There was a bright light. I went to look at it and it moved away into the woods so I followed it.
It stopped and then they spoke to me.”
“Your friends?”
A nod.
“What did they say?”
“Not words. They spoke in my head. Told me stuff. Secret stuff. Then I fell asleep. When I woke up there were police and lots of people and they were worried. But I was okay.”
“And do these friends still speak to you?”
“Yes. But I don’t talk much about it. I’m only talking to you ‘cause Mum and Dad asked me to. I like my Mum and Dad.
I don’t really talk much at all anymore. I don’t need to. The kids in class don’t like it. Some call me names, say I’m different. Kids like Dan…”
“Dan Watkins? The boy that went missing?”
“Yes, Dad. I talked with them about it. I didn’t like him.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s okay, Dad. Really. It’s fine. He doesn’t bother me anymore. All sorted. Just like your husband, Miss.”
“What about my husband?”
“Don’t worry, Miss. He won’t be bothering you anymore either. I like you too.”
The telephone rang.
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