Midnight Meeting

By Brianna Malotke Sitting quietly on the stone benchThe damp, brisk air had a chillOr was it just in her bones?Goosebumps on her arms andWhispers in the windWaiting for his arrivalShe sat watching the moonlightBounce off of the headstonesThe soft grey markersDotting her view, she waitedThe ticking of her watchThe soft tap-tap-tapOf her heart inContinue reading “Midnight Meeting”

Letting Go

By Brianna Malotke From this cage of fingersdeeper and darkershe cast his ashescarried off by the wind,dispersed amongst the fallen leaves,clinging to damp greenery.The crisp fall airand recent rainfallmade this moment eerily peaceful.She stayed still.There was no blame,no more arguments or hostile moments.His not so innocent ashesscattered across the gravesof others who had been knockedaroundContinue reading “Letting Go”

Final Resting

By Brianna Malotke The crispness of the airSeeped through the cracksEvery now and then a smallBreeze would stir herAnd awaken her.Darkness enveloped herThe silence no longerScreaming, but welcoming. Days and days had passedSince she had arrived hereAnd been enclosed in these Four walls. The smell of dirt and Fresh cut grassMixed with dying flowersOften waftedContinue reading “Final Resting”

Safe Cracked: The Peruvian Cob Caper

By Russell Guenther It was another busy Monday morning at the San Diego County Superior Court. Sheriff’s Detective Rogelio Santana didn’t arrive back in the station until well after lunchtime. “Back from the murder trial?” Deputy Hayes, Santana’s former patrol partner asked. “​Puto​,” Santana said. “What’s that, Roger?” “What kind of asshole kills his ownContinue reading “Safe Cracked: The Peruvian Cob Caper”

The Induced Sleep

By Sylvia Ketchum Images floated across the back of my eyelids. Posies. Red, orange, and some pink. I’d gathered a bouquet for my mother, tying it together with string. I was a boy dancing in a field of wildflowers. My limbs bursting with boundless energy. The sun beating down on my face. Barefoot. Dried earthContinue reading “The Induced Sleep”

Just Shy of 360

By Paul Black Two men entered the long corridor of the Lennox Ville Psychiatric Facilities east wing. Their shoes tapped loudly on the glossy cement floor as they walked. Each donned a long white overcoat which bellowed around them in their professional haste. Below the coat dark navy cuffs flipped loosely around their ankles inContinue reading “Just Shy of 360”

Plausible Deniability

By Richard L. Matta I’m ocean fishing for striped bass (“Stripers”) … deliberately within cell phone range of home, where they’ll be another battle on her birthday. Conscience restrained me before, but sometimes events push you beyond your tipping point—tear away decency, set actions in motion which can’t be undone, exposing you to new risks.Continue reading “Plausible Deniability”