title: The Vernal Equinox of Death and Kisses and other Short Stories
author: Antonio Hopson
description: "Antonio Hopson writes with the sense and instincts of a Jack Keruoac, combined with the cultural eye for detail of a Chuck Klosterman. All five senses thrive when reading his prose, which moves through you like the Snoqualmie River itself." --Jon Horowitz,<b><i>The Wonder Boy Review</i></b><br /><br /><span>"A flash fiction writer turns to poetry and speaks of biting love seen in a cosmic light." --</span><i><b>Washington Independent Review of Books</b></i><span>: "July 2015 Exemplars: Poetry Reviews by Grace Cavalieri"</span><br /><br />"Antonio Hopson writes with a subtle power and a minimalist's sense of economical prose. His affecting style comes on slowly and dances beneath the surface, evoking abstract emotions that stretch beyond the short boundaries of his flash-fiction. Layered and dense, his writing belongs to the prose genre but employs the artistic precision of poetry." --Mike Dell'Aquila, Editor,<i><b>Farmhouse</b></i>
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  Equinox
  
  
  © 2019, 2020 Lux Miller
  
  
  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form
  without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright
  law. For permissions, contact:
  
  
  [luxmillerauthor@gmail.com](mailto:luxmillerauthor@gmail.com).
  
  
  
  
  
  This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, businesses, places, events,
  locales, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used
  in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or
  actual events is purely coincidental. Please note that this book contains
  mature content and situations that may be triggering for some and situations
  that are not appropriate for readers under eighteen years of age.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  Chapter One
  
  
  ![](../images/00001.jpeg)
  
  
  
  
  
  Nova
  
  
  
  
  
  “I swear! When I get my hands on you, you’re going to rue the day you were
  born!”
  
  
  
  
  
  A high-pitched whistle pierces the air, and my heart skips a beat before it
  star