The Names and Motions, by Sheldon J. Pacotti

[Clarkesworld]

★★★☆☆ Average

(SF Horror) Cassie’s brain implants fixed the things she lost before birth due to her mom’s drug abuse, but she needs something more to cope with the abuse she gets from her classmates. (7,317 words; Time: 24m)

Zero Day, by Sheldon J. Pacotti

[Interzone]

★★★☆☆ Honorable Mention

(Near-Future SF) An airforce cyber hacker on leave from fighting the war with China chases after a young woman he met on a bus. He just picks the wrong night to do it. (6,004 words; Time: 20m)