[hider=The Nightcrawler]

	Lovable characters and a cute twist at the end! The dialogue felt a little artificial, but I'm guilty of the same thing. Keep writing!

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[hider=The Spark]

	What a fantastic analogy for... something. What I liked most about the story is that it was so original (literally) that it can be viewed as a representation of many processes: the birth of the universe, the evolution of life, and perhaps, most aptly and forebodingly, the progression of humanity. It felt like a combination of Spore and World of Goo, and reminded me of stories I'd imagine as a child. Well done!
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[hider=The Ash Grows Cold]

	I'm always hesitant when I see a short story in a poetic line-by-line format, but it felt well suited for yours. The imagery was spectacular, and the personification of fire was a nice touch. My only complaint was a few minor grammatical errors, but that can't get in the way of a good story. Well done.
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[hider=Beating the Heat]

	A nice slice-of-life piece, possibly tailored to one of the bonus prizes of the same name ;) It didn't feel to me like there was much of a plot, but in some cases that can be more profound. After all, day-to-day living doesn't have much of a plot either. 
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[hider=The Watched Pot]
	
	Wow. Just, wow.

	I was a little intimidated by the length of the story, but within a paragraph my eyes were stuck to the page. What a spectacular story. The dialogue was all spot-on, which is one of the most difficult things to master in writing. The imagery and figurative language were both strong, and together with a dash of humor they took it from a good read to a great read. It felt well-researched, too: whether you've actually got a culinary background or just looked up a few basic cooking terms, it seemed genuine. 
Congratulations.
Also, the title dots were a nice touch. Just saying.
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[hider=The Springs Gone By]

	I think this is the first short story I've read on this site that has attempted to tackle a historical character from a first-person view. And what a person you've chosen! I'd never heard of this fighter pilot, but that poem is gorgeous and deserves recognition. I think you did a good job capturing the wartime feel of pilots and other soldiers during WWII, and your battle scene was filled with intense imagery. I was put off by the quick change of mood and attitude by the narrator between the first section and the next, but I guess that it made sense since we switched into the mindset of the pilot when he was younger. Very well done!
(Also, since you talk about pistols killing fighter pilots, please google Owen J. Baggett. Worth a read.)
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Having read all of the entries (all were fantastic), I cast my [@vote] humbly and wholeheartedly for The Watched Pot!