"Origin Story," by Ursula Vernon (writing as T. Kingfisher) -- published in Apex Magazine, issue 104, January 2018.

Read it here: http://www.apex-magazine.com/origin-story/

Ursula Vernon is the winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and Mythopoeic Awards. She has written a number of children’s books, short stories, and comics, and writes for adults under the name T. Kingfisher. She likes fairy-tale retellings, gardening, and has strong opinions about heirloom beans. You can find more of her work at redwombatstudio.com.

This Apex Magazine podcast was produced by KT Bryski. Music in this podcast included "Virtutes Intstrumenti," "Vanishing," and "Long Note Four," all by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution License. Find out more at www.incompetech.com. Other sounds in this podcast provided by the Free Sound Project; learn more at www.freesound.org.

Our narrator for this episode is Blythe Haynes. Blythe is a Toronto-based actor and voice talent. Select theatre credits include, "In His Name" (Canadian History Project), "The Killdeer" (Alumnae Theatre), and "Mary's Wedding" (Toronto Fringe Festival). Select podcast credits include "Campfire Radio Theater," "Six Stories, Told at Night," "The Drabblecast," and "Tales from the Archive." With KT Bryski, Blythe is one of the co-founders of Gangway! Theatre Co. She looks forward to returning to the Toronto Fringe in 2018, with a stage adaptation of KT Bryski's "Six Stories, Told at Night."

Apex Magazine podcast, Copyright Apex Publications.

Apex Magazine is a monthly short fiction zine focused on dark science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Find us at http://www.apex-magazine.com.