By Gratia Serpento Being dead is less than it’s conked up to be. It’s like you’re in a screen, a simulation, there’s a divide between you and everything else. Everything is mild. Any food tastes bland, and I could eat a ribeye and a celery stick and not be able to taste the difference. There’sContinue reading “The Dead Girlfriends”
Tag Archives: fiction
Lavender Diamond
By Edward Sheehy I’m done writing first-person point-of-view stories. My latest saga of a modern family stretching back several generations, voiced by 72 first-person characters including pet dogs and cats and a crow circling the narrative dispensing omniscient commentary, had been soundly rejected by dozens of publishers. My agent said first-person was overdone, mine inContinue reading “Lavender Diamond”
.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”
Julia and Katherine
By Andy Betz “Hello. My name is Katherine Adams.” It was my reserved opening. Neither abrupt nor capricious, I remained steadfast in my resolve to make a singular opening. I made discreet inquiries about her idiosyncrasies and decided to discard such second hand information and decide for myself. “I read your ad in the tradesContinue reading “Julia and Katherine”
Transition
Inspired By My Dad By Melissa R. Mendelson Farewell. Light blue letters on a white banner hung against a nearby wall. The tape failed to hold it up, and one side caved, falling into a table set up with vegetables, chips and soda. A toddler squealed with joy, jumping up and pulling the rest ofContinue reading “Transition”
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…”
Harvest Season
By Amanda Eiden Three swift kicks is all it takes for Otis to break down the front door. It cracks from the hinges and hits the floor with a snap. Jackson and Dewey step inside. Their feet in sync. Cool air. Soft television static. Popcorn pops from the stove. Otis glances around before stepping inside.Continue reading “Harvest Season”
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”
Nicole and Julia: Death at Poolside
By Andy Betz “The brochure says the Williams Aquatic Center houses a full sized Olympic swimming pool, bleachers, separate locker rooms and showers, and ample parking for up to 500 spectators. The hours today are from 8am to 10pm which includes lifeguard and CPR classes from 10am to 1pm and free swimming for the restContinue reading “Nicole and Julia: Death at Poolside”
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”