Note: This story was originally published in Black Sheep #13
The Kinston Collective stories I’ve been working on are set in the near future, and I personally find this to be the most interesting setting in science fiction. I enjoy a space battle and laser swordfight as much as the next fella, but I love how movies like Blade Runner and games like Cyberpunk 2077 play out not just technological advancements, but social and societal changes.
When I wrote this story, the police department in my city had been reduced from 700 officers to about 500. Most of those losses were in patrol. That meant that in a city where there used to be 60-80 officers answering 911 calls at any given time, there were 24-30. Criminals who normally would have been in jail for car theft and simple assault were free to walk the streets and see what else they could get away with. Crime skyrocketed, particularly violent crime. It was easy to imagine a world where a good person might be faced with terrible choices to protect their family.
My goal was for this to be a fast read, so quick it unfolds in real time. I rarely write stories this short, but this one felt right. Black sheep is availible on Kindel and as a very nice paperback. I hope you enjoy it!
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