MARGARITE STEVER: Time For Justice

Adventure, Submissions,

I force the door open. The smell of mold hits me hard. The floor undulates beneath my careful steps.

I’d finally heard the killer boast to a drinking buddy. He feared no one on this lawless, dank planet.

My lover’s dagger gleams in the kitchen light.

It’s time for justice.

Margarite Stever grew up in a tiny Missouri town. She currently lives in a larger Missouri town with her family and beloved fur babies. She writes stories and essays that touch a person’s heart and makes them feel something. Her secret identity is Ozarks Maven. You can catch her musings at ozarksmaven.com.

THOMAS TILTON: There Is Still Styrofoam

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

Three hundred years from now, they still have AA meetings. After the meetings end, before the attendees take off in their flying cars or hop on airlifts to their dingy floating halfway houses, some still chew nervously at the rims of their Styrofoam coffee cups, unable to grasp the future.

Thomas Tilton is pretty sure the coffee is mud.

HARRY DEMAREST: Harry’s Halloween Haunted House

Adventure, Submissions, , ,

Children shrieked as goblins, witches, and werewolves jumped out at them. Children screamed when they saw corpses and body parts oozing blood and gore.

It was the best haunted house ever, and the children remembered it for the rest of their lives—which, for some, was only a few seconds.

Harry Demarest Likes to write Halloween Stories. This is the first one to be published.

MELANIE CRANENBURGH: Work You Can Sink Your Teeth Into

Amusing, Puns and Wordplay, Submissions, , , ,

My cousin, a dentist, became bored with mundane extractions, fillings, and teeth whitening. So he decided to specialise in crafting vampire fangs for niche clients.

I asked him, “Why the change?”

His response? He’d simply grown tired of working in a soulless job that sucked the life out of him.

Melanie has a greater fear of visiting dentists than she has of vampires.

CHRISTA PLANKO: Not All Men Are Dogs

Amusing, Submissions, , , , ,

Bitten badly once, Linda felt twice shy. Yet Bob seemed safe.

The night he invited her over, she pecked his cheek as he opened his door.

His response: “Whoa—down, boy!”

Was she too forward, she wondered? Or was he… excited?

Then the answer struck—all furry paws and sloppy kisses.

Christa is a professional writer with a passion for creative expression. She has had her poetry and short stories featured in several publications, including River Poets Journal, The Write Room, Tanka Journal, Haiku Journal, and Every Day Fiction. Currently she resides in South Jersey with her six feline muses.

PAT CROSS: Steps

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

The massive doors latched behind her nearly closing on the white satin train. Her hands shook as she clasped the lilies to her breast.

She began the long slow walk into her new life with eyes downcast.

The lilies fell as she raised her eyes and wondered: Who is he?

Pat is a retired teacher who spent 20 years trying to convince 13-year-olds that algebra is valuable.

MARY SHEEHAN: Peter’s Secret Snip

Amusing, Artistic, Submissions, , , , ,

Peter hadn’t inherited his father’s disease, but a child of his could. He couldn’t allow it.

“This won’t hurt,” the doctor promised. It bloody did! He deserved that for not telling Clara, who desperately wanted a baby.

A year later, Clara announced, “I’m pregnant!”

Seemed she had a secret, too.

Mary lives and writes in southeast Ireland.

BILL DIAMOND: Shower Dreams

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

An outdoor shower was an infatuation for Jennifer. She insisted on this feature at the cabin. The idea of showering naked outside was thrilling. It spoke of freedom, and other things missing in her life.

She never did disrobe. But she could.

If Charles kept acting this way, she would.

Bill Diamond is a writer living in Evergreen, Colorado. Recently, several of his initial stories have been published.

KELSEY JOSEPHSON: Dress Code

Amusing, Artistic, Submissions, , , , , ,

“You can’t wear that!”

“Why?”

“It’s hot pink, and too short!”

“So?”

“We’re going to church!”

“Jesus won’t mind.”

“But your legs. Everyone will see-”

“See what?”

Silence.

“I’ll wear what I want, when I want.”

Elderly Mrs. Franks wore the dress to church, scarred legs and all.

“Oh, Mom.”

Kelsey Josephson is an introvert who enjoys connecting with others through writing and mixed-media. She lives with her husband, two young children, and a very sensible cat. She can be found on Instagram.