Bryce Chambers mopped the glistening sweat from his bald scalp. He raced up the hardwood stairs, his footfalls echoing throughout the spacious pagoda. On the top floor, Bryce encountered a sliding paper door. He threw it open, revealing an open-air… Continue Reading
It’s a cold, windy day and I am at the window table trying to write my New Year resolutions. At least that is what I should be doing but I spend more time watching the dry leaves clattering across the… Continue Reading
“Sophie, honey, see how pretty you are in your new dress.” The daughter studies her reflection in the mirror. Her mother is smiling but she just stands there, thinking. “Isn’t it pretty? It makes you look like a princess —… Continue Reading
If only rotted flesh had more appeal, then Peter wouldn’t have a problem. If Halloween were about swans gliding across glass-smooth waters, or roses in full, fat bloom, then he would have no trouble choosing an image to carve. As… Continue Reading
John Peterson died with little fanfare. His lone surviving son and four grandchildren were in the hospice room when he slipped quietly away. Their muffled sobs and whispered words faded as he drifted toward the light of his statistics board.… Continue Reading
The Enemy have teeth like wolves. They have eyes the color of dying coals, and skin that can be any color it wants — flawless, chameleon camouflage. And so, as Morgan makes his way down the steep hillside, he knows… Continue Reading
Burt Forsyth was ready to rip out the fingernails of the girl sitting in the pew in front of him. That is, after he smashed her iPhone and shoved the plastic down her throat. While the rest of the congregation… Continue Reading
Swipe… beep… swipe… beep… swipe… BEEP! I’m on the third hour of my shift and that mantra pounds my mind, stirring with fluorescent lights for a headache, just short of a migraine. Still, plastered on my face is a half-smile,… Continue Reading
“What’s wrong with her?” “We don’t know.” Dr. Alejandro Benetti shook his head in frustration. Every time an economic opportunity convinced him to leave the capital, it was the same story. Small-town nurses were always extremely willing and helpful, but… Continue Reading
July 17th Aldershot Barracks Dear Santa, Please don’t give me any presents this year. I don’t want any. All I want is my Daddy. He’s been away since forever, fighting a war thousands of miles away. Please bring him home… Continue Reading