If the Grabber existed, you’d hear its strange sounds created by those slight movements and the thoughts you’d think would be enough to reassure you that it was not the Grabber. It was a creaky swing set. That’s what. Not even a dying animal. A swing set. And there was never any reason for fear or the instinct that compels a human’s flight from danger, to be allowed its running wild.… more
Category Archives: FICTION
Liquid Doll
FICTION by Mehreen AhmedWhere was this promised land? One melted doll in the high desert sun. Mother was old when she died. But she rose again and became a laughing, walking, talking living doll, even loving like a sweet sixteen in one of the allies. Here he was with his friend, Omar, to buy another doll. That would’ve been pleasing if he could, yet he could not choose one.… more
Dan still doesn’t hate her. True and False.
FICTION by Catherine O'BrienTrue or false: Dan still doesn’t hate her? 1. He has papered his walls with abstract prints of multi-coloured koi? True. 2. Like most adults, he talks a lot about not feeling sufficiently caffeinated and how things were in his day? False. 3. As a child, he told his case worker that every rented family felt the same. He meant it too? True. … more
Blue Light
FICTION by Nikoletta GjoniEvery night I go to bed, I ask her what If I don’t wake up, what If I die in my sleep from a heart attack, and all she does is groan and roll over and tell me to stop being so dramatic. Sometimes I wish that’s exactly what would happen so she could feel stabbing guilt.… more
Apology
FICTION by Pete AbleRather than someone she’d slept with during orientation, and twice more their first semester, he was now the kid brother she’d give life advice and hand-me-down Looney Tunes sweatshirts to.… more
The Biggest Chicago Bears Fan on the Block
FICTION by Lisa ThorntonWhat he knew about feelings: That you swallow them, push them down into your intestines so they can’t escape, so they lodge in that warm pink space where they belong—not on the street, not on people’s faces all stricken and blubbery and slobbering. … more
Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?
FICTION by Bobby BangertBronco Bill no longer felt the need to mount a bull just to feel the hands of other men on his body while he braced himself in the chute. His whole life the only way he could get close enough to other men was to prepare for violence.… more
Psychosis From the Greek Word Psykhe, Refers to a Person Who Has Lost Touch With? A – Fashion B – Time C – Family D – Reality
FICTION by Jo WithersLast time, he ate the goldfish in the psychiatrist’s office, but he sensed this was a bit tame, bordering on someone acting like they were having a breakdown rather than actually in the midst of one. Everyone had their own opinions of madness these days, it was like some bizarre performance review where you had to prove your insanity hadn’t slipped.… more
Goodbye, Mr Whiskers
FICTION by Frank JacksonAs the waves pushed out all the thoughts from his mind, an image like a dark and starry night started to take hold for him. Deep inside his concentration, an image came to him. One he hadn’t expected. “Mr. Whiskers?”… more
TARFU
FICTION by Dan RussellI wonder how long it’ll take for ’em to come on over the hill. I’ve got good cover. I can hold out a while. My hands are shaking. Not from fear, but from what I’ve got running through me. I never thought a night out would lead to me ending up here. She had every right to do what she did. I didn’t. They’re gonna find that out.… more
