MATTHEW GREGORY: The Day Before

Artistic, Submissions, ,

When Gregor Samsa woke one morning from pleasant dreams, he found himself unchanged, the same Gregor Samsa as the day before. Life seems rather monotonous, he thought as he stood on his feet and stretched, trembling as his body warmed. He wondered what the morning could bring. And the next.

Matthew Gregory is a writer and filmmaker from South Florida. His forthcoming film “Admit One” will be screened as part of the 8th Annual 1:1 Super 8 Cinema Soiree. Other work can be found at geronimatt.tumblr.com.

ALISON CARROLL: The End

Amusing, Odd, Submissions, Top Stories, , , ,

As the present world came to an end, things did fall apart.

Masses of now-believers were loosed on the streets. Some wept, some prayed, some turned to the Beast… and some held up signs to the heavens pleading, “Take me!”

God yawned, and chose the ones with the biggest signs.

Alison is not as much of a cynic as this story would insinuate, but rather was influenced by a vivid dream, and the famous Yeats poem “The Second Coming.” She is currently busy working on her sign.

JOHN FOWLER: The Funeral

Submissions, , ,

Eddie was dead. All completely dead.

The coroner signed the papers.

Only seven people heard the preacher’s words, six hired pall-bearers and a homeless guy looking for a cup of coffee.

The workers buried the box.

Some say Eddie died too soon. Truth is, Eddie never lived, only died.

John Fowler served twenty years in the US Air Force before retiring and starting a second career in the IT field. He is also a Lay Pastor serving a small church near his home in Texas. His hobbies include reading, golfing, and writing.

LINDA MCMAHON: The Skeptic

Submissions, Touching, ,

The first time Joan met him, the young woman’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.

Two years later she became his wife, still uncertain whether he would love her forever.

Four years later, Joan’s eyes softened slightly when the first of five children came along.

Fifty-seven years later, Joan still remains unconvinced.

Linda Mae McMahon started her second career as a freelance writer while continuing working in her husband’s real estate company concentrated in Bakersfield, CA, and Santa Clarita. Today she is constantly busy coordinating paper by day and chasing stories by night.

CHRISTAL KNIGHT: Our First Meeting

Submissions, Touching, , , ,

She had hidden her face, backed against the wall. I walked near her and she quickly withdrew behind her mom, holding onto her fingers.

I was a stranger to her, but she was my daughter.

Her mom nodded assuringly, as hello became the hardest word I ever had to say.

Christal Knight is waiting for that refreshing random breeze that happens on a warm, sunny day.

LIN JENKINSON: Transformation

Adventure, Submissions, ,

When he awoke he was under the bed, the blinds were down and the room was in darkness. Was it day or night? There was a distinct iron taste—of blood?—in his mouth. He felt satisfied, giddy.

Running his tongue over his sharp canines, he knew.

It had begun.

Lin Jenkinson is a Canadian woman who has a penchant for iconic horror and flash fiction. She has been known to write poetry and non-horror but only on off days.

ROB GOSS: The Cynic

Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

There never needed to be smoke to signal a fire for Rodrigo.

News reports, assumptions, stereotypes; call him jaded, but with most things the cynicism served him well.

But he never questioned her. She was pure. Gentle. Perfect. His refuge. A confidante. A companion. The one.

The finest Chihuahua ever.

Rob Goss is a Tokyo-based writer. Learn more about him at tokyofreelance.com.

ABBY MOREHOUSE: A Knock

Adventure, Submissions, , , ,

I’m sitting by the fireplace. I hear a knock. I unlock the door and open it.

Nothing.

I’m walking away when I hear the knock again.

I walk back to the door. Open it.

Nothing.

I step out to look around. I scream.

Silence.

The door is still hanging open.

Abby is an experimental writer and 7th grader from the suburbs of Philadelphia.

JEWEL GRAY: The Biggest Bully

Artistic, Submissions, ,

She looks at me with disgust, her thin eyebrows scrunched.

“What? You think you’re so special? You fat, dumb, talentless girl. You are nothing.”

I walk over to her. She walks to me. I look straight into her pale gray eyes.

“You suck,” I tell the girl in the mirror.

Jewel Gray is a stay-at-home-mom who tries to write a little.

JOAN LEOTTA: Perspective

Submissions, ,

Arachne’s skill still amazes me. In the early morning sunlight, I have often watched dew shimmering in rainbow-drenched glory along silken strands laid down by Madame Spider between the soft open petals of two crimson roses.

When a fly buzzes by and lands, he remains. Amazed also? No. Madame’s breakfast.

Joan spends her days typing, daydreaming, talking on the phone with her daughter and collecting seashells on long beach walks with her husband.