Category Archives: FICTION

FICTION (1000 WORDS OR MORE)

Always Coming Home

{Oct 16, 2023}

You were unable to defend yourself against the accusations of your family members because the only defense you could think of was also a confession, and you were terrified.… more

When you’re stoned, you realize: separate bodies, separate consciousnesses—that’s an illusion. There is only One. We were one with the bus stumbling up the mountainside. My nausea was one with Manisha’s. I wasn’t yet nauseous: not need-a-lime nauseous: but I felt Manisha’s nausea exactly as, soon, I’d feel my own. Soon? Already I was feeling it.… more

Apartment 1848

FICTION by Emily Strempler

{Oct 12, 2023}

“Early for shift,” it said. “One minute, thirty-two seconds. Twenty-seven hours, fifty-two minutes, and twenty seconds of voluntary overtime have been logged to your account this period. Would you like to volunteer to give up a shift?”… more

Just Breathe

FICTION by Dawn Lowe

{Oct 11, 2023}

She leaned over and kissed his purplish hand, the fragile skin bruised by blood tests and IVs. “If I wanted to get rid of you, I‘ve had a few opportunities lately that I didn’t take.”… more

Two Stories

FICTION by Richie Zaborowske

{Oct 10, 2023}

The truck testicles swung slightly; not for the first time that day Cody regarded them.… more

ZSHTWEET Charity

FICTION by Ben Umayam

{Oct 6, 2023}

What is her problem. Why doesn’t she go back to the front of the church with the other beggars. Why does she have to ruin our set. She is spoiling it all, spoiling the whole thing. Her with her deformed legs and that whistle.… more

Have a Good Life

FICTION by Robert Garner McBrearty

{Oct 5, 2023}

She stared up at the darkened ceiling and said, I’d prefer it if you’d fought in a war or something like that. You might seem romantic and sad to me then. … more

Thrift Store

FICTION by Anthony Koranda

{Oct 4, 2023}

His skin was tanned like old leather, a childish tattoo of No Fear scrawled across his throat, dancing as his gums flapped. I wondered if they hurt. His gums bouncing back and forth against each other. I closed my eyes while he spoke about drinking malt liquor and riding trains in his younger days. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t picture him with teeth.… more

The Retired Fireman’s Helmet

FICTION by Ellen Santasiero

{Oct 3, 2023}

The retired fireman doesn’t know the helmet smokes. It was easy to hide when they were working, because well, what fireman’s helmet doesn’t smell like smoke? The cat knows though, the ball buster.… more