Horror Fiction By Chris Bunton One bite and the memories came flooding back like it was yesterday. He remembered the first time they met. It was at the fountain in the park, and his dog “Bowzer” had tried to hump her little poodle “Trixy”. They laughed so hard trying to separate them and keep themContinue reading “Caged for Dinner”
Monthly Archives: October 2023
Mostly Dead, Like Me
Creative Non-Fiction by Claire O’ Brien October 2017, Prince George’s County, Maryland Her house was tidy, if a bit dated. The living room carpet was the kind that changes color when you run your hand over it—in this case, from sea to forest green. Two wooden side tables positioned astride the well-worn, maroon leather reclinerContinue reading “Mostly Dead, Like Me”
The Heiress
Crime Fiction by David Hagerty Upon her death, the same scribblers who depended upon Eleanor’s wisdom disparaged her. When she drowned by a barge in a lake, reporters from across the country, including her own newspapers, converged on that mud puddle sensing scandal. They found only slander. Though they published no photos of the scene,Continue reading “The Heiress”
The Less you have, The More it Hurts to Lose it.
By Andy Betz Two Socks Mismatched No longer paired with their mates Two Socks Alone Singular purpose to keep that close-by warm Two Socks Attracted by static Kept attracted by a greater force Two Socks Needing a mate to be complete No longer needing an identical mate Two Old Socks Now together One New PairContinue reading “The Less you have, The More it Hurts to Lose it.”
A Long Walk
Poetry by Ralph La Rosa This winter night two fugitives from Jackson Prison rob his store out in suburbs where he lives, blind and bind him, knock him out, stuff him on their Dodge’s floor, and drive him north for Canada. They startle him awake before the border, yank him out, unblind his eyes. He’sContinue reading “A Long Walk”
The Swine Hunt
Crime Fiction By Pamela Ebel “Jan, where the hell are you? It’s almost sunrise and I need to get to Bayou Pointe by 6:00. I want to see where the boars are bedding down for the day. Where’s my breakfast?’ Her husband Tony’s angry shout reached down the hallway of the small apartment to Jan’sContinue reading “The Swine Hunt”
Honor Thy Father
Poetry by Ralph La Rosa Ray’s father groaned: In the store, below the petty cash drawer. Bring it to me. Hurry. Before they all come home. Ray raced to the store and back— to lightning’s cracking thunder to hail stones pelting limbs of acorn-bleeding oak trees and shivering rooftop tiles. As green wood hissed inContinue reading “Honor Thy Father”
Shots Ring Out
By Matthew Senn My daddy was a paranoid man. Had every right to be too, ‘course. He’d always figgered someone would come lookin’ for ‘im one day. Never went into much more detail than that. One mornin’, he hears some shots ring out. He was a corn farmer then, our patch a land went fromContinue reading “Shots Ring Out”
His Funeral
Poetry by Ralph La Rosa Leaning close, Frank whispers urgently,“You shoulda wore a black suit, this’s navy,”not the first to remind Vic as old guys squeezehis hand until it hurts. Black suits and ties. Frank hangs on tight, face angry, sad and sorry:“Your dad’s partner, Tony, he’s insulting him.”Vic had quit the seminary, assured hisContinue reading “His Funeral”
Murder in Oak Park
True Crime by Chris Bunton On April 13, 2020, Thomas Johnson, 69, and his wife Leslie Jones, 67, were discovered dead in their home in Oak Park, Illinois. Thomas was stabbed 17 times and found lying in an up stairs bed. While Leslie was stabbed 34 times and found on the stairs. Family members hadContinue reading “Murder in Oak Park”