Under the Knife

By Hillary Lyon “You know, darling, not everyone is as fortunate as I am,” here the old woman paused to massage citrus-scented serum into the crepey flesh of her throat. She tilted her head to admire her own jawline. Her much younger assistant, Mandy, rolled her eyes. Gazing in her dressing table mirror, the oldContinue reading “Under the Knife”

The Cost of Doing Business

by Matthew Duffus Jamison Corey had finished plating the last of the trout he’d purchased that morning when his youngest waitress intercepted him at the pass with her mouth twisted to one side. He didn’t wait for her to speak. “Order up! Table seven.” “Did you make a special without telling us?” She picked atContinue reading “The Cost of Doing Business”

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”

Courting Beautiful Darkness

By Rachel Racette I wish I’d never met her. Never followed that lady with dark hair and even darker eyes. Never let myself see – Maybe if I hadn’t pointed out the blood or – or the twisting shadows – she’d have simply killed me. If – If I hadn’t screamed while she still hadContinue reading “Courting Beautiful Darkness”

Tool #2

By Chris Bunton and VT Comics (Tool #1 can be found HERE.) The crickets and sounds of the peeper frogs were deafening in the forest as he silently moved along. Their sound brought him peace and joy, in the midst of the turmoil of his mind. “How could this be true? How could I beContinue reading “Tool #2”

This Is Not Your World

By Melissa R. Mendelson Dayla tried to stifle a yawn as she walked down the stairs. She smiled at the aroma of coffee wafting out of the kitchen. The sound of a spatula scraping the frying pan indicated that her husband made eggs again, and hopefully this time, they were not Bull’s Eye. She detestedContinue reading “This Is Not Your World”

The Carlton Theater

By Andy Betz and Samantha Fowler Part One: My life as it was My employer, Mrs. Oliver, assigned the duty of a visual inspection of an older movie theater to me.  I was to look around and walk about and give her my written report by the morning.  While her decision would not be basedContinue reading “The Carlton Theater”

Foundation Repair

By William David Higgs III He had been repairing foundations for fifteen years, but it only took him fifteen minutes to decide that it was the worst condition he had seen a house in. It’s a miracle this place is still standing, he thought. He prepared to turn around when he heard clanging metal followedContinue reading “Foundation Repair”

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”