By Chelsea M. Brown Charlie stood in front of the gray mansion with peeling paint and a dark front yard. She held the address on a slip of paper in front of her, matching it to the loose numbers hanging above the door frame. She was certain she had the wrong location. There was noContinue reading “Safe House”
Monthly Archives: March 2022
The Waiting Room
By Megan Thompson It smells of sweat and hot breath, combining to make some sort of terrible human perfume. The old lady across from me, whose hair is unnaturally black and stiff, keeps softly dozing in her chair. She is overdressed for the occasion, her pink lipstick smeared around her thin and aging lips. TheContinue reading “The Waiting Room”
Fossil
By Steve Saulsbury They noticed the older man at the beach where people went looking for fossils. He was fiddling with his pack on a picnic table. Shane sprawled in the sand, puffing a crumpled cigarette. Lacey splashed along the shoreline. “Find any fossils?” Shane asked the man. “No. Just enjoying the scenery.” Lacey watchedContinue reading “Fossil”
Polish Day Parade
By Jerome Berglund Poet’s Note: TRIGGER WARNING: These selections comprise part of a cycle of pieces examining the life and crimes of serial killer John Wayne Gacy in 33 different poetic forms, and invariably include some graphic and disturbing content. English Ode “The trick is, you need the key.” – John Wayne Gacy Polish DayContinue reading “Polish Day Parade”
Real Nice Party
By Isabella DePhillipo I didn’t want to go to the party Dickey Henderson threw on the day he killed his parents, but really when I think back on it I never had a choice. It was right around the time we all really started to feel the noose of the future tightening, and bouncing aroundContinue reading “Real Nice Party”
Pole Dancer
By Seamus O’ Leary Jack and Nubs stormed up to the front of the South side Projects building. Jack went in the front door while Nubs went around to cover any routes of escape. Jack took the stairs, like he always did. He hated the confined space of the elevator, and prided himself on beingContinue reading “Pole Dancer”
By The Slab
By Jerome Berglund Poet Note: TRIGGER WARNING: These selections comprise part of a cycle of piecesexamining the life and crimes of serial killer John WayneGacy in 33 different poetic forms, and invariably includesome graphic and disturbing content. Alexandrine, Inter-hemistich: By the Slab The still boy looks lonely, too lacks one and only;Lying there so pronely,Continue reading “By The Slab”
Oleander
By Andy Betz The man with the ax faces me. His face is always unrecognizable, but his blade singularly distinct. I see the few drops of blood mirroring an otherwise perfect finish reflecting the light from the moon in the sky. I can feel it burning me, coaxing me, almost provoking me into making theContinue reading “Oleander”
Power Hour
By Chris Bunton “Hey kids, it’s almost power hour!” Ellen yelled. She closed her wind up pocket watch, as the kids came running into the room. “Ok, Lacy get all the re-chargeable batteries ready for the outlets. Carrie, get the pots ready to cook on the electric stove for dinner, and make sure the radioContinue reading “Power Hour”
Dead Short
By Tony Sweatland The cops showed up while Mickey was in surgery. Liz didn’t say much other than the basics. He tried to get me, we fought back. He shot at Mickey. Mickey shot back. They still had plenty of questions but they were understanding of the situation and made arrangements to talk later. It’sContinue reading “Dead Short”