Grave Digger

By Dick Johnson “All these movies and TV shows are bullshit.” Jeffrey said.   His spade struck the hard ground over and over digging up little scoops of dirt, which he deposited in a pile nearby.   It was early evening and the sun was setting, but in the woods, it was already growing dark.Continue reading “Grave Digger”

Immeasurable Acts of Violence

By Cullen Corkery At some point, the noise and rhythmic thumping of a bass-boosted stereo became too much, despite the coke we’d snorted earlier in the bathroom upon arriving, and despite the vodka cranberries I’d been guzzling half the night. I focused my eyes and found Ray a couple yards down from the balcony whereContinue reading “Immeasurable Acts of Violence”

School’s Out

By Steven Cordin Johnson was surprised how fast a big guy like Ray ran. He could almost keep up with Johnson. Almost. Johnson sprinted down the street ahead of him. He knew what a vicious guy like Ray would do if he caught him. If I can just reach the school at the end ofContinue reading “School’s Out”

Blood & Water

by David “Dapeki” King She let out an ear-stabbing screech and gripped the steering wheel with her soul. But she wasn’t strong enough. The tires of the car screamed as they veered left too sharp. Her leg was forced down onto the pedal even harder as her voice cracked mid-scream, unable to exert any moreContinue reading “Blood & Water”

Have You Ever Written A Suicide Note?

By Lipika Pande There are only a few who can describe the experience, and you are unfortunately one of those. You are divided into parts; one that wishes for a miracle, for someone to call and ask, “Hey, you need help?”. For a sign to tell you, this is not what you’re supposed to do.Continue reading “Have You Ever Written A Suicide Note?”

What The Reader Read

By Andy Betz “Francis, when are you going to get a raise?”  “Francis, when are you going to stand up to that boss of yours?”  “Francis, get over here and LISTEN to me when I’m talking to you!” If I heard her harping once, I heard her harping a thousand times before.  My Margaret hadContinue reading “What The Reader Read”

Fade Out

By Michael Fontana Armed robbery seemed easier to Al than first thought, wandering into the convenience store like an actor from a movie, bandanna over the lower half of his face, stocking cap pulled down low to conceal forehead and brow, right gloved hand holding out the gun, left gloved hand waving the empty bagContinue reading “Fade Out”

Boris Wants To Be A Detective

By Andrew Ricchiuti Two years after the Great War, the city contained anarchists, Bolsheviks   and violent labor leaders. Some people claimed they were all the same. I didn’t know. I didn’t   care.  In my job, I chased and caught all three.                           Today wouldn’t be any different. The newspaper headlines screamed aboutContinue reading “Boris Wants To Be A Detective”

Solo Performance: A Stage Play

By Jerome Berglund Warehouse, North Minneapolis. Night. The BLACK BOX of a small, hole-in-the-wall convertedtheatre. It can’t hold more than three rows of chairs, sixseats to each, split down their center by a narrow pathleading to a pair of swinging double-doors accessing anantechamber which exits to the street. A handful of TENUOUS ACQUAINTANCES andIMMEDIATE RELATIVESContinue reading “Solo Performance: A Stage Play”