The jazz trio played louder to cover the screams of the people in the streets. The doors were locked and chained. They’d be safe inside for a while. And rather than fear the inevitable, they chose to continue playing the best set of their lives, making the screams their melody.
Ran Walker is the author of 23 books, including the upcoming book Keep It 100: 100-Word Stories. He teaches creative writing at Hampton University in Virginia.
The bottle was half-buried in the sand, its neck protruding at an angle, a cylinder of clouded and pitted sea glass.
The cork stopper had a thick wax overlay, showing its age.
The message inside was disturbing:
If you found this bottle, I know who you are. Be very afraid.
Ed N. White is a writer of Mysteries. A teller of Tales. A graduate of the University of Iowa with an M.A. from the University of Rhode Island, and a former faculty member there. A New Englander trapped on the Suncoast of Florida hoping for some snow.
“Did you hear me? I’m leaving you.”
“Yes, dear. Can you make me something to eat before you go?”
“Are you dense? I said I’m leaving you!”
“Mmhmm. Will you be gone long this time?”
She dropped her suitcase and leaned against the open door. “Is a tuna sandwich okay?”
Margaret Glover is an RN and writer of short stories, drabbles and poetry. She has had work published in Familius, 101Fiction, The Were-Traveler and Writers Haven. Her passions are reading, writing and traveling the country.