Clarkesworld Magazine The Stars You Can't See by Looking Directly by Samantha Murray (audio)
Jan 1, 2026
A surreal Christmas morning in Australia sets the stage for an intimate love story between Jack and Vin. As they navigate the emotional chaos of failed IVF attempts, a global snow event leads to the bizarre birth of 'snow babies' with altered DNA. Jack grapples with societal fears and Vin's obsession with conspiracies, straining their relationship. Amidst discussions of love versus fear, Jack reflects on her protective instincts for her unborn child, pondering the future of their family in a world turned upside down.
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Unexpected Snow Rekindles Joy
- A spontaneous white Christmas in coastal Western Australia becomes a shocking, intimate moment for the narrator and Vin.
- The snow feels like a gift that reconnects them briefly to lost joy and childhood wonder.
Love Begins Under the Stars
- The narrator and Vin fall in love at an observatory while discussing the Pleiades and peripheral vision.
- Vin seeing seven sisters out of the corner of his eye becomes a small, intimate hinge in their relationship.
IVF Grief Through a Phone Call
- The narrator receives a phone call confirming another failed early pregnancy after multiple IVF rounds.
- The diagnosis collapses hope into the familiar grief of chemical pregnancies and quiet resignation.