Fog Machines to Infanta - By Chris Dino Belacho

Written By: Chris Dino Belacho

Category: Short Story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the evocative short story "Fog Machines to Infanta," Chris Dino Belacho invites readers into a world of poignant introspection and emotional depth. Submitted to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this story delves into themes of loss, longing, and the quiet battles fought within the human heart. Chris Dino Belacho's narrative weaves a tapestry of emotion, resonating with those who have faced life's unexpected challenges.

About the Work

"Fog Machines to Infanta" explores the intricate emotions of its protagonist, Maria, as she grapples with personal grief and unfulfilled dreams. Through vivid imagery and a contemplative narrative style, Chris Dino Belacho crafts a story imbued with melancholy and introspection. The story's poignant mood and reflective tone invite readers to ponder the complexities of love, acceptance, and the search for peace.

Fog Machines to Infanta

Original Submission by Chris Dino Belacho

Fog Machines to Infanta

by Chris Dino Belacho

When Fred got home, he found Maria sprawled on her belly in their bedroom.

He tiptoed across the linoleum floor, approaching her. Maria sensed this, tensed up as if on the defensive, and turned the other way to face the wall.

“Please go away.” Maria appealed softly to her beloved. Her body was tense and cold. She could smell his familiar scent when Fred tried to move in closer. She felt the bed bounce.

Maria mustered enough courage and told Fred the news at the dinner table. It was a hard confession, but it was the truth. She couldn’t bear his child. If only it had been possible, maybe things would have turned out differently. “The doctors did all that they could,” she explained. “It was already the third opinion.” She was thirty-six.

Fred helped out with the dishes. They both had a cigarette and a drink in silence, after which, she went into the bathroom but did not come back for a good period of time.

The next day, she spent the entire morning in the sun, as she did the entire summer by the pool. Betsy and Jackie told her that she could still be happy regardless. Maria’s heart scowled at them. She wanted to scream. She wanted to disintegrate.

She was driving just after sundown. It was already dark, but the tufts of her scarf stood out in the glare of the dashboard. The Coke next to her was bland with the melting ice in it. She knew what time it was, but not where she was going. Regardless, the steering wheel had been kind enough to indulge her indecisions. There was the moon in the open sky. If she and Fred were to triangulate, they’d be able to find themselves on the moon, she figured. He was probably staring at it too, this she had hoped. Just imagine forgetting grief, she told herself. But it was just an idea to help cope with a weeping heart. It wasn’t a cure or the antidote that Maria was looking for at the moment. It was an illusion for a fanatic, nothing more. A fog machine. Solid carbon dioxide.

Maria stopped by a store to rent a movie. She wanted to be River Phoenix and Keanu when they rode that canary-yellow Norton bike. She wanted to let her hair loose and drive that motorcycle far away, getting lost. But she was tired, and it was getting late. And it just wouldn’t feel the same.

In the dead of the night, instead, she took what could have been a scenic road to Infanta in the morning. She drove on until the humming of the car engine had finally caught up with her and pounced on her heavy heart.

It was a beautiful night under the stars.

And what soon remained, finally, was the fading screech of the tires on the pavement and the deafening punctuation she had decided to write down when she took a quick turn, ramming a steel barrier.

She had sent what remained of her sorrow into the deep enclosures of the quiet.

And as this moment stretched on infinitely in her head, during the fall, Maria played a memory again and again, until she could no longer:

When Fred and Maria walked up the hillside in the direction of the wind. When the tamarind trees were dark in the sun, and tall grasses were swaying around the pathway where they trekked. When Maria went along with it, even though she knew that her place had always been near the water. When her skin longed for the chlorine of her backyard pool. When there were about six or seven patches of grey clouds above them. When they touched lips for the first time.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates the richness of the written word, inviting writers from across the globe to share their unique voices. This prestigious platform provides an opportunity for creative expression, fostering a community of passionate storytellers and poets. Participants showcase their talents, contributing to a vibrant tapestry of global literature.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Chris Dino Belacho for sharing "Fog Machines to Infanta" with us. Your participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 enriches the literary landscape and inspires fellow writers and readers alike. Thank you for contributing your voice to this celebration of creative expression.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.