Death by Innocence

by Dan Cardoza Infestations of Fire Ants are everywhere. Onyx-eyed, Insect aliens, dressed in antennae, oversized mandibles, and swollen abdomens. They exist in the shadows of cracks, in vast armies on the march, and in the darkest corners of our minds. The neighborhood is pulsing. Neil Armstrong is stepping onto the moon, right now, inContinue reading “Death by Innocence”

Till Death Do Us Part

By Alex Grehy “The trouble these days is that we just live too damn long.” The woman sitting in the rattan chair opposite nods her head then turns to look at the sun blazing over the tranquil ocean. She is quiet; they often are this close to the end. “Tell me your story again,” sheContinue reading “Till Death Do Us Part”

The Hit

By Jason Smith   Tom Kelly had plenty of time to think about the anonymous person who had hired him to kill his brother Conor. When he was told that this anonymous person had asked for him specifically and the amount of money this person was prepared to pay him, he couldn’t turn it down.Continue reading “The Hit”

Who Killed Missy Witt

On December 1, 1994 Melissa “Missy” Witt was attacked and abducted from the Bowling World bowling alley in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Her car was left behind, but she was gone; just vanished. Her friends and family were sick with worry. Then on January 13, 1995 their worst fears were realized. Melissa’s body was found inContinue reading “Who Killed Missy Witt”

Dark Running

By Chris Bunton Sandy did pushups in the center of the living room in her underwear. She dripped sweat from her buzzcut head on to the dirty plank floor with each pump. The room was dark. Furniture was set around facing a monitor. There was light filtering through the black painted windows. The specialized paintContinue reading “Dark Running”

Anger, Lust and Greed

By Scotch Rutherford June 8, 1980 Max was up before the sun. It was a habit he couldn’t shake. Three tours will do that to you. The hooker from the night before was asleep in her clothes next to him. He had that clammy feel on his skin, like he was covered in hair gel.Continue reading “Anger, Lust and Greed”

Santa Cruz 1970

By Carl Boon I live over on Collier in a duplex with a Mexican girl who’s studying to be a nurse’s aid. She wants to work in a mental hospital after watching some documentary about schizophrenics on Channel 6. I tell her some of those people would just as soon stick a fork through herContinue reading “Santa Cruz 1970”

Grovers Mill

By Devin James Leonard Dear Mercer County Sheriff’s Department, My name is Winston, and by the time anyone should find this letter that I have left on the dining room table, I shall be long gone. The date is October 31, 1938, and the reason for my writing this is in relation to the twoContinue reading “Grovers Mill”

Dead Flies

By Lindsay Fudim By the time my swatter cracks down on the porch railing like a court gavel the fly is a pancake. Again, I lift the swatter to the air and mercilessly bring it down on the dead fly’s companion, sending sawdust and splintered wood into the air as I do so. “By God,Continue reading “Dead Flies”