The scraggly Douglas fir bristles with anticipation as a man and woman finally stop before it in the Christmas tree lot. “Really, Rob?” The woman sighs a puff of steam, glances around at thicker, taller pine, spruce, and cedar trees.… Continue Reading
Brendan Gatlin’s grade five Science teacher seemed unwell. In the darkened classroom his eyes were hidden behind sunglasses. On his head he wore a baseball cap, the peak pulled down low over a face that was shiny with moisture. “Mr… Continue Reading
I look down at the bite on my arm. I haven’t got long. They said on the news it can take a couple of hours or more, but no one knows for sure. I don’t think anyone knows anything for… Continue Reading
It was the only toy her daughter had wanted for her birthday, but Erica had been reluctant to buy it. Because Furbies gave her the creeps. Erica lifted the cardboard box to get a closer look at the Furby. It… Continue Reading
I peer into my drawer of glasses, deciding, and empty eyes stare back. Most people don’t notice the images pressed into the lenses, like the negatives of old photographs, but Daddy and I do. He keeps his glasses in the… Continue Reading
“I destroy things.” “Like buildings? Demolition?” he asks. “No; people. I destroy people. Their lives.” “What? Sure. Pretty morbid, man.” “You asked.” I close my eyes and rest my head into the cracked cushions on the Acela train out of… Continue Reading
You’re awake? Good. Don’t try to move or talk. Just lie there for the time being. Relax. Drink this. No? All right. I’ll just leave it here in case you change your mind, Stephen. Yes, we know who you are.… Continue Reading
Trey looked out the windshield and saw a deserted boat ramp. He was confused as to why his mother had driven them here instead of to swim class. Trey wouldn’t have minded really, Violet was the one who loved to… Continue Reading
Allen Mosby had been on the phone all day at the Family Services call-center and a new inbound was the last thing he needed. It came at 4:58 PM; two minutes before off-time. Sighing inwardly, he used his most saccharine… Continue Reading
The iron sat squarely in the middle of Sally’s table. She stared at it, forehead creasing, then dropped her groceries and ran around the house, checking windows and doors. No one else was there and things seemed as secure as… Continue Reading