Seen It Many Times

By H.A.L. Wagner The school bus blocks my view of Murray Russel’s new place. The city obviously didn’t do their predator checking lately. Murray shouldn’t be within 1,000 feet of this stop. Just another pleasurable reason to take this bastard out. The bus passes leaving no child behind. In the large picture window stands Murray.Continue reading “Seen It Many Times”

Visiting Mom

By Seamus O’ Leary Nubs drove his grey 1990 Lincoln Town Car through the toll plaza on I-90 in Chicago, while holding his cell phone to his ear with the three fingers of his left hand. “I’m going to visit with my ma. I’ll only be a little bit, and then I’ll meet you there.”Continue reading “Visiting Mom”

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”

Drunk Tank

By Dick Johnson Carl awoke. His head hurt and the light was bright. His memory flooded back to him, and he realized where he was. He was in his underwear, and lying on a concrete bunk in a room with almost zero features. There were fluorescent lights in mesh glass above, grey rubber walls, aContinue reading “Drunk Tank”

.38

By Seamus O’Leary Jack’s slim form moved through the dancers on the night club floor, like a panther moving through a jungle of flashing lights. Nubs followed, and everyone got out of his way. They entered a door in the back, which opened into a short hall lit by fluorescent lights in the ceiling, andContinue reading “.38”

Thou Shalt Not…

By Dick Johnson Sweat dripped down his face as he watched his house. This wasn’t the first time she had cheated and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. But, it would be the last time she cheated on him, with this guy. Wind blew through the trees above him, cooling him slightly. It was summerContinue reading “Thou Shalt Not…”

The Price of Extraction

By Monique Berkin Darius pulls at the thread of a musty wool blanket, and it unravels, pooling on the grimy floor. His life is also unraveling sooner than he predicted. His older brother Kane’s frantic call came four hours, seven minutes, and three seconds ago. Get out! Leave everything and meet me at the abandonedContinue reading “The Price of Extraction”

Stranger in the Camp

By Chris Bunton “Hello in the camp! Permission to enter.” A man’s voice yelled from the darkness. Paul knew someone was out there creeping around but there wasn’t much he could do except watch and wait.  He stirred the fire with a stick. Sparks rose up, and the fire got a little brighter. Then heContinue reading “Stranger in the Camp”