Purity Test by Kristine Kathryn Rusch (Fantasy)
The unicorn pranced toward me, its head lifted, its tail up, as if it were coming toward someone it knew and loved.
The Most Famous Little Girl in the World by Nancy Kress (Science Fiction)
Into the shocking, eerie silence came Lem’s voice, marginally quieter than his sister’s. “Mommy. I hear some sirens.”
The Observer by Kristine Kathryn Rusch (Horror, Science Fiction)
There are three parts to me now. The old, remembered part, which doesn’t have a voice. It stands back and watches, appalled, at everything that happens, everything I do.
1016 to 1 by James Patrick Kelly (Science Fiction)
The thing was way too thin, its skin was shiny, its fingers too long and its face—it looked like one of those Barbie dolls.
Buddha Nostril Bird by John Kessel (Science Fiction)
After we killed the guard, Glaucon and I ran down the corridor away from the Well. Glaucon had been seriously aged in the fight. He limped and cursed, a piece of dying meat and he knew it. I brushed my hand along the wall looking for a door.
People Like Us by Nancy Kress (Science Fiction)
“Scotch and water is fine”, the alien said. He had a deep, slightly hoarse voice. Sarah made herself look at him. Standing with his back to the fire, balancing with what looked like careless ease on both legs and the curving, muscular tail, he wasn’t quite as bad as Sarah had expected.