1) Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills Breaking out of your grave will be the hardest part. Remember not to panic; you’re already dead. Once you punch and kick and claw your way to the surface, enjoy the serenity of… Continue Reading
The girls in the library have an ongoing competition: strangest thing ever found between the pages of a returned book. There’s the predictable — novelty bookmarks, unsent postcards. The disgusting — toenail clippings, hair, an old slice of toast. The… Continue Reading
She had known in the end, of course, had climbed into the car with no more ceremony than if we had been going on a picnic. She said she was glad to be out, the fresh air was a joy.… Continue Reading
Morgan woke to the weary shoosh of airbrakes. The bus jittered as its engine died. Cold glass pressed hard and slick to Morgan’s cheek. Blackness lay beyond the window. Someone shifted in the seat beside him. A man pushed in… Continue Reading
I know you think I’m crazy, but you have to believe me, I’ve got a good reason for not eating. I’m not anorexic. I like food. I just don’t want to end up like Joe, that’s all. Okay, yes, this… Continue Reading
The man who answered my knock was a twitchy, weaselly-looking fellow. His eyes darted around nervously as he cracked open his front door and demanded, “You him?” “I’m him,” I agreed, holding up my briefcase. “I have the contract, right… Continue Reading
Nayah kept her demon in a briefcase, behind two inkwells and a biography on Salinger. It was bound to a napoleonic profile, writ in icy ink on the background of a greying garden filled with bells. Some corporate conjures kept their… Continue Reading
The sky spits snow through the crack in my window. It pricks my fingers which are curled tight over the steering wheel, but I barely notice. I squint past my little brother and look for the numbers ‘16128’ somewhere on… Continue Reading
They didn’t look like ordinary kids. There was something funny about the way they dressed. All alike, too monochromatic to be real. They looked like they’d just stepped out of an expressionist painting, black and white. Even the pallor of… Continue Reading
“You know,” said William, “I bought this axe years ago from that Mom ‘n Pop store down the road. Ran me about twenty bucks, but it’s eaten its fair share o’ wood, and it still holds an edge.” He flicked… Continue Reading