Erik Bilicki's Short Stories, Novelettes, and Novellas

Locked Screen By Erik Bilicki   Chapter 1: An Eerie Bargain   The dull luminescence of Tom's laptop screen barely illuminated the dim room. Dust motes danced in the weak glow, giving the atmosphere an almost ethereal quality. The steady hum of the laptop fan filled the silence of his apartment. He scrolled through the online listings for phones, his fingers pausing occasionally to tap on intriguing offers. Brand-new models with sleek designs and hefty price tags beckoned, but he pushed past them. He was looking for something other than the latest model, reliable and, most importantly, affordable. A particular listing caught his eye—an almost mint condition phone at a surprisingly low price. The attached photos showed a shiny device without a scratch. It was a model that was just a year old. Why would someone sell it for such a low price? Curiosity piqued, Tom clicked on the listing. The description was sparse: "Barely used. Selling due to upgrade. Perfect conditi...

  Last Call By Erik Bilicki "One more round," Jim announced, drumming a tattoo on the counter with the kind of certainty that comes from years of balancing ledgers in a fast-paced Wall Street firm. The echo of his declaration rippled through the cozy confines of the Commuter Café, our citadel housing evening rituals. The Coca-Cola clock blinked, its red digits carving out a date that would soon etch itself indelibly in history: 09-10-01. Yet for now, it held no more significance for us than any other. It was Monday, and our routines, as unyielding as the gridiron layout of Manhattan, held us captive within this charming den of granite and timeworn charm. Our spirited conversation reverberated off the café’s sandy walls, intermingling with the steady thrum of the PATH train below—our steadfast soundtrack. David, however, was off-key in our nightly harmony. The mystery of his life, normally a source of light-hearted banter, now hung in the air like a curtain of fog. Despi...