The snake is back. A new head to the body chosen. A villain defeated, is being dealt back into the game. So you rush, rush into danger; heroes once more.

Unaware of the plots and schemes Happening behind the scenes The great game, Fletcher is playing.

 Hopps

I’ve had enough! Enough of trickery and hidden secrets, of villains and evil! Of not being in control! Of falling, constantly being awake and aware. I explode! Explode into a flash of lightning; I ride into the gate of hell Screaming my defiance at the villainous poison before me, threatening my friends. As it all goes black, I know. I stood in the face of evil; And I said No.

Cass

This cannot happen, he cannot be free, to produce his brand of evil again. We worked so hard to prevent this. You will not succeed. You will not escape. Pull out of the dive, take a deep breath, step in front of my friends I will take the blows for you, I will protect you all. You will not die I say No.

Oya

I feel so helpless again. I see so many futures, so many possibilities None of them good, only one where we succeed. But succeed we shall. There is no other possibility No other future, I will accept. I fly, fly to the aid of my friends, my loved ones. I see a future A future where Hopps is no longer with us. I close my fist. And I say No.

 You scream, all of you. Some within, some out-loud As her body hits the floor

It can’t be. Surely not It couldn’t be, not a possibility You’re super heroes, aren’t you?

  Anton

Once again, a timely arrival of help, whenever I’m in danger he appears. And I’m inspired, inspired by his utter peace in the face of danger. So I go rushing in, to face this poison once more. Words of encouragement, of leadership, of inspiration; not nearly enough I lead from the front, alongside my friends. And as I hold her fading body, cradle her head in my hands. I scream No.

  Kostchie

Each new assignment is clear and simple, everything laid out perfectly. Except with the Callisto6. It is messy, it is bloody, but it is fun. Usually; here I walk calmly into danger, assured of my own power. I have done this for years, but they are new, untested. I see her go down, but I shed no tears. I have seen it before. You can only get revenge, but still I see their hope, their courage. Perhaps there is a chance, I will join them, Their chorus of No!

Lacy

I focus on Amelia, on the transport, on these machines. On keeping us in the air I cannot think of the danger they are in, that she is in. “Please be okay, Please be okay.” I reach out; trap that monster back in his cage. No more poison, no more evil. No more death. I view the scene through the cameras, I shake my head, it cannot be; I wasn’t too late. I whisper No.

  Luma

I cannot get to them, I can’t be in two places at once. I can only offer my encouragement, words to keep them safe. I look for answers, for solutions, but I cannot get it to them. So I call out to the universe, to the reality of fate. Anything to save my friend; I see the medical miracle appear. I see my prayers and my desperate call answered, This means No.

  And as you all gaze at the terror before you. Your fallen ally, and the villain with his grin. Hoping that this will all be okay.

A man, or an idea, or an alien somewhere; Fletcher Stares at the board before him. Makes a single move and smiles.

S/tick is very excited to announce the launch of Volume 2, Issue 3! For those of you who have been following the excerpts of our fabulous contributors, this is the moment you've been waiting for!

A warm thank you to all S/tick's readers and contributors for your continued interest and support! We do rely on word of mouth, so please share widely! The pdf is completely free. Feel free to send it to anyone you think might be intrigued by this community of feminist creators.

S/tick is very pleased to present an excerpt of a poem from Jan Ball. Watch for Issue 2.3 to read the whole poem as well as more of Jan's work!

dilated (excerpt)

I’ve seen horses in movies whose eyes rolled back into their sockets as white as ping-pong balls while they whinnied, a jerky tension in the neck like mine must have been straining for cervical dilation so many years ago when the gynecologist, in a better-pressed white coat, seemed to insert his forearm up my vagina saying when he came to check many times, “Only two fingers dilation, only two fingers dilation,” until the final decision to have a caesarian section and now, too, my eyes not dilated enough