DENNY E MARSHALL: Try Again, Lieutenant
“Thought we destroyed them years ago and they were all dead,” said Caption Savoy. “It killed the dinosaurs but not all life forms, sir,” replied Lt. Flit Duson. “No big deal, Flit. Send another...
View ArticleGORDON LYSEN: The Games We Play
“It’s time to go” she said. “In a sec,” I called back. “No! Right now!” she said, even louder, with more than a hint of annoyance. “Okay, okay!” I screamed back. The door slammed and I knew it was too...
View ArticleCHRISTINA DALCHER: A More Authentic Roman Holiday
“When in Rome,” June said, having already bought the Total Gladiator Experience ticket. Only when Jack entered the arena—its sand stained from previous shows—when lions roared behind gates, when he...
View ArticleRACHEL REDGATE: Wedding Album
The photographer captured it all: the bride’s tumble down the aisle, the flower girl bawling through the service, the cake collapsing at first cut. No one had wanted a slice, anyway, after the groom’s...
View ArticleAARON RAIN: Silent Rain
Black as night and as silent as the rain he slipped over the rooftop edge. Descending the building, he closed in on his target. Reaching the window, he peered inside and reached for his gun. A woman...
View ArticleMAURA YZMORE: Brad and I
I hear a noise in my kitchen and come down to find Brad Pitt guzzling chocolate milk straight from the carton. He says his motorcycle broke down en route to Missouri. Brad, if you left me without...
View ArticlePHILIPP M SELMAN: Nine Lives
Bored. I stretched out on the couch and took in the sunshine streaming through the gap in the curtains, luxuriating in the warmth. For years, I’d imagined how great it would be to come back as a cat....
View ArticleMARY SHEEHAN: Lady Luck
He put a rabbit’s foot in his pocket, scoured the garden for a four-leafed clover, and hung a horseshoe on their front door for luck. Sarah suggested he hang the horseshoe points up, to keep luck from...
View ArticleKATYA DUFT: Paper Tiger
“What are you reading there? Looks like some serious stuff; you must be really smart.” He worked his usual pick-up magic on the train. Ask a simple question, then pay a compliment. Always works with...
View ArticleMELANIE CRANENBURGH: Deadly Weapons
Crocodile and Hippo were arguing over who was the more dangerous of the two. Crocodile boasted, “I kill a thousand humans annually!” Hippo scoffed, “I’m responsible for thrice that number of...
View ArticleVIV BURGESS: Helpless
Fingers table-tapping impotently. Clock striking, but not the keys on my laptop. Blank face reflected on white empty screen mirrors the inside of my dark empty head. I prod my muse. “Any thoughts?” She...
View ArticleSUSAN GALE WICKES: Easy Mark
“Take one more step and I draw.” Six years old, he carried a toy gun and barked commands at everyone within earshot. Most days, I ignored him. I really couldn’t blame him. At his age, I’d done the same...
View ArticleBILL COX: Heart of Indistinct Murkiness
Alone in the office at night a slow madness overtakes me. It begins with a paperclip chain. It ends when the cleaner finds me, the Emperor of the Paper Cup People, berating the massed ranks of my...
View ArticlePHILIPP M SELMAN: Be careful what you wish for
“Be careful what you wish for.” If Billy never heard those words again, it would still be too soon. He loved Cindy completely. He brought her flowers and told her she was beautiful, but she looked...
View ArticleMAURA YZMORE: Wayward Willie
Wayward Willie was warned—woods were worrisome. “Whatever.” Wayward Willie walks woodward, whistling. *** Wilderness. Werewolf wanders, weary. Werewolf whiffs, wonders. “Whistling wimp, walking...
View ArticleFILLIP VERDUN: Hello
I have been reading all of those stories about some strange creatures invading the Earth from another planet. One politician even says that there is a space war starting. Don’t believe any of those...
View ArticlePONTIUS PAIVA: Paraskevidekatriaphobia
A black cat dashes across the busy highway. I slam on the brakes. A siren chirps. In my broken rear-view mirror, I see the fractured image of a police car. I pull over and the officer approaches my...
View ArticleVIV BURGESS: Bloodhound
After my husband’s departure, I acquired a dog for company. Out walking, Rufus found a body in the woods. The policeman gave him some treats. He scented the second corpse in the canal. When Rufus...
View ArticleJONATHAN HOUSTON: Tall Tale
Phineas Phelps found figurative fiction fascinating, frankly. As an author, alliteration always added authenticity. He carefully crafted creative copy, constantly cultivating killer quotable content....
View ArticlePAUL BECKMAN: Why Was This Night Different From All Other Nights?
At the family’s yearly Seder, Mom farted. Dad farted to deflect her embarrassment. Grandpa let one rip, and grandma came out with her silent but deadly. My brother nodded at me and we doubled down. A...
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