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”

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”

Frank Olson’s Big Break

By Shawn Schenck Sweat gathered and rolled down Frank Olson’s pallid face. His ice-blue iris’ had shrunk to the size of pins, exaggerating his yellowing white eyes. The meth had come in full swing, driving his hunger away and his heart into double time. He hadn’t felt more awake in the last thirty-six hours, hadn’tContinue reading “Frank Olson’s Big Break”

Bulletproof

By Mickey Dubrow Nell cradled the semi-automatic assault rifle in her arms like a baby, keeping it close to her body and giving it plenty of support with both arms. The rifle was fresh from the arms-factory that birthed it. Dozens of the rifle’s siblings hung on racks behind Nell at the Bullard Arms booth,Continue reading “Bulletproof”

Vera Likely’s Endeavors

By Gratia Serpento “Oh, Officer Ketterling, what can I do for you?” Vera Likely leans up against her door, her brows perfectly arched with just the right amount of concern, her mouth open in a red ‘o’ and her brown hair perfectly coiffed. A stunning red dress, reminiscent of a 50’s style, was draped overContinue reading “Vera Likely’s Endeavors”

A Blast From The Past

By Jason Smith As she opened her front door Trena didn’t immediately recognize Glenn, he’d changed so much. The last time she saw him his hair and beard were long, he was wearing a Baja Hoodie, black jeans, scuffed boots and a trench coat. Now he was clean shaven and his hair was short andContinue reading “A Blast From The Past”

Widowers Can Get Into Trouble

By Robert Honor Max Reynard held his head in his hands. His daughter hates him. Detests him in the “special” way a teenaged girl can. No idea what his crime was. When it comes to this between them the beginning seems familiar, yet the root cause is muddily untraceable. The greatest shamus in the worldContinue reading “Widowers Can Get Into Trouble”

Dancing Dolls

By Rena Robinett The night DeK met Tyla was not a good one for him. DeK, as he’d renamed himself after a desperation-filled adolescent idea had morphed into a company that became worldwide slang, was a half hacker whose one creative thought had made him very rich. After his former nerd buddies refused a dealContinue reading “Dancing Dolls”