Stories from the Calindratem

When it comes to science fiction most stories are naturally set in the future. The franchises of "The Hunger Games" and "Star Trek" are polar opposites of the science fiction genre as they both predict a very different future, one is a dystopian future the other one is a utopian future. But what seems more likely from the way humanity is evolving right now? On one hand we get news about incredible newly developed technology every week and things that 10 years seemed impossible are happening now. On the other hand we are experiencing a global pandemic and global warming is a serious threat to our planet.    Per definition a dystopia is an imaginary place or condition in which everything is as bad as possible. It is often portrayed within a totalitarian or post-apocalyptic society. Sadly in many ways a dystopian future feels realistic when we watch the news. Instead of evolving it seems like we the human race are devolving. Hate crimes of all sorts are on the rise, en...

Amber felt uneasy as she drove up the serpentines. The hotel was very isolated and with the grey sky and the heavy wind the castle which housed the hotel was less romantic than it was creepy.  It had sounded like such a good idea, when her agent had suggested it: Spend a week in a remote Irish castle to finish editing her book. She had thought the surroundings were going to be inspiring and the lack of distractions was going to keep her focused. Now after a 3 hour flight and a 2 hour drive, on what was the wrong side of the road for her, she simply felt annoyed. She would have to take the car even if she wanted to get a coffee in the nearby village. Apparently the castle or hotel provided a full board but since it was the off season and she wondered if there were going to be a lot of other guests and full staff.   She stopped the car at the parking and sighed, remaining seated for a moment. She grabbed her purse, her laptop bag and her wobbly old suitcase and made her way...