Graffiti Monsters: Two new stories by Theresa J. Barker

What if street graffiti is not made of paint but of monsters? In these two linked stories – they are in search of a lonelier planet and soul mate, soul meet – Theresa J. Barker explores this idea. Theresa J. Barker has always longed to live in other worlds, which she accomplishes through her writing. Theresa writes science fiction.
Website: http://www.theresabarker.com
Blog: https://theresabarkerlabnotes.com
Twitter: @theresajbarker


they are in search of a lonelier planet . . .
by Theresa J. Barker

The homeless who are monsters hang out in the graffiti wall by the mall. There is plenty of scrap food for them to munch on. The street musicians like to set up in front of the wall and play for tips from passing shoppers. Monsters in the wall sometimes hum along. They've lost much of their natural habitat in the 21st century through deforestation, so the graffiti wall gives them a welcome respite from having to prowl nasty places like street sewers and waste treatment plants and filthy dumpsters.

Monsters are, on the whole, a clean lot. They are like the sharks of the ocean, in that their intended prey is the weak or the sick. Only rarely do they feast on the fears of humans, and only when they cannot find sustenance elsewhere. Feeding on fear often gives them gas. Next time you're at the mall, if you take a close look at the street graffiti mural, you may see them blink. Toss them a cupcake or some french fries if you're feeling generous.


soul mate, soul meet
by Theresa J. Barker

You meet the monster who lives in the graffiti wall on a Thursday evening, just when you were planning to go slalom skating on the pier with the group from work. You went around the corner to rent your skates and suddenly he was there. Huge blue head, eyes of dark anger, gritted teeth of fierce hunger. But somehow you liked the look of him.  

You asked him if monsters often live in graffiti walls, and he replied “Only when we’re on tour.”  

Then you ask him “What’s ‘on tour’?  I didn’t know monsters go on tour,” and he says, “Oh yeah.  It’s a Lonely Planet thing. We get hooked up with a local guide, visit all the graffiti walls.”  

“Don’t you like to hang out in other places, too?” you ask.  

“Like what, maybe a museum?” he answers, guffawing, and you notice his laugh sounds like a thunderclap. Everyone runs for cover but you. You stay, and your hand caresses the monster’s cheek. Before you know it, you’re making plans to go see the graffiti’d train cars out in the rail yard by the soccer stadium, and years later you’ll write a book together on the excellence in graffiti art, sold on Amazon as a coffee table book, with an average reader review of 4.5 out of 5 stars.