KB CARLE: Fugitives

Adventure, Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

Mrs. Wells allows the Catcher into her home, reminding herself there are too many plates on the table. The fugitives: three colored men of dark complexion. Two colored women, one copper, one chestnut. Her gaze shifts to the six plates cradling crumbs, disregarding the peeping eyes from underneath the floorboards.

When K.B. Carle is not exploring the realms of speculative, jazz, and historical fiction, she avidly pursues misspelled words, botched plot lines, and rudimentary characters. Her work can be found in Pennyshorts and Sick Lit. Magazine.

MYRON A TETREAULT: That Sinking Feeling

Artistic, Submissions, , , , , ,

She appreciated, more than ever, the smell of her coffee and the sunlight reflecting off her back porch. The weather was unfairly perfect. Soon enough, the kids would know. But, for now, she let her smile hide the hopeless, sinking feeling welling up in her gut.

The cancer was back.

Myron Tetreault is a Calgary-based businessman, athlete and author.

EDDIE D MOORE: Finally Some Spirit

Amusing, Artistic, Submissions, , , , , ,

The doors of the church closed behind me as the congregation quieted for the baptismal service. Shivering, a woman stepped into the water. The pastor plunged her under. She came up shouting. I thought, Finally, a church with some Spirit.

Eyes heavenward, she announced, “That water’s cold!”

I sighed deeply.

Eddie D. Moore travels extensively for work, and he spends much of that time listening to audio books. The rest of the time is spent dreaming of stories to write and he spends the weekends writing them. His stories have been published by Jouth Webzine, The Flash Fiction Press, Every Day Fiction, Theme of Absence, Devolution Z, and Fantasia Divinity Magazine. Find more on his blog.

MICHELLE DINNICK: Underground Parking

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

Filthy concrete stairs.

The stench of urine and vomit drifts upward with growing intensity.

Reaching the steel door at the bottom, you open it swiftly, because you have been holding your breath.

Stepping over beer cans, cigarette butts and used needles, you wonder, “Why don’t I just take the streetcar?”

Michelle is a contributing author in the soon-to-be released Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of Canada. She writes non-fiction, fiction and poetry. A regular Human Interest contributor for several local publications in Alliston, Ontario, Michelle really enjoys micro-fiction! In March 2017, she was longlisted as a semi-finalist at the Ontario Writers Conference (OWC) Story Starters Contest; and in April 2016, she was shortlisted as a finalist, also at the OWC-SSC.

JAMES P SPITZNOGLE: Weight Loss

Adventure, Amusing, Submissions, , ,

Four AM, there’s the garbage truck. Every other morning it wakes me up. I wonder if he’s as tired as I am.

Hopefully he doesn’t notice how big that darn bag is. It’s heavier than I had expected. I always told her she should diet.

Then I forgot the T.

James P. Spitznogle is an aspiring writer from the early yet dark hills of West Virginia

BILL COX: Look Upon My Works

Adventure, Submissions, Top Stories, , , , ,

Heading south through the ruins, I startle three deer. Their barks echo through the concrete canyons as they run.

I see ever more plants breaking through the tarmac; a green infection. I pause to watch the sunrise. The morning light has a golden quality.

Manhattan has never looked so lovely.

Bill lives in Aberdeen Scotland. He is considered a pioneer in the art of slacking off by many, but he can’t be bothered seeking accreditation.

DAVID RAE: The First Time You Cheated On Me

Submissions, Touching, , , , ,

The first time you cheated on me, you cried over the phone.

“We have to talk,” you said.

We walked in bruised silence through the park, then sat and stared over the hill.

“I don’t understand,” I said at last.

“Let me explain,” you told me. “We’re not a couple.”

David still doesn’t get it completely.

JL COURTNEY: Bye

Submissions, Touching, , ,

They took her by ambulance. The neighbor called and told me. Cleaning out her house was the closest I came to “Goodbye.”

A pack of Marlboros, half-smoked. A jug of milk. Dishes she didn’t wash. Her fridge had a note: Give Terri her book back.

I don’t know a Terri.

Jennifer Courtney has been published online at Postcard Poems and Prose, Page & Spine, Black Heart Magazine, and elsewhere. She has found her way into several print anthologies.

JOHN H. DROMEY: Sticking Point

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

Finding no medical explanation for his patient’s intermittent aches and pains, Dr. Ffarrigut said, “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re the victim of a hex.”

Later, the patient asked his wife, “Where’s our little ragdoll souvenir from the Caribbean?”

“I gave it to Mother. She needed a pincushion.”

John H. Dromey has had short fiction published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Crimson Streets, Stupefying Stories Showcase, and elsewhere.