by R.E. Bunch “Sleeping Beauty” placed third in Southern New Hampshire University’s 2023 Fall Fiction Contest. “I’m dying,” She croaked. The sing-song in her voice was strangled out in a hoarse wheeze. “It’s the flu,” The back of my hand rested on her forehead. Her hair was matted to her…
by Ness Wheeler “Beasts” placed fourth in Southern New Hampshire University’s 2023 Fall Fiction Contest. The long winter had forced every creature to be bold in how they got their nourishment, and few were as bold as I had been to keep my brood fed. At midnight, every ten sunsets,…
by Mackenzie Bodily “Rat-a-Tat” placed fifth in Southern New Hampshire University’s 2023 Fall Fiction Contest. Marlyle watched the words “BEACON ACTIVE” slide over the walls of his one-man cruiser. The cabin was dark, illuminated only by the stars outside the window and those words projected in bright red by his…
by Laine Derr I traded my heartfor an amethyst – Gifted it to a girlwho sits in the sun. She touchesmy smile, w/ lips rubbed smoothby winter rain. Hands holdinga stone beating my love, shiningdays of pale purple. I traded my heartfor lilac, for her.
by Leila Farjami After you walkor fly awayfrom your body,a long winter takes hold,with its slumped oaksand graying sun. From your windowinside an empty house,I could watch the garden for days.From above, your eyesmight watch me. Our words to each otherwill be breathwoven into the airoutside of time.My language will…
by Roxanne Finniss It starts at night,when my mind has fallen asleep,leaving me defenseless.The trauma of the blade,thick in width and sharpened to a point,causes bruises underneath my eyes.Why don’t you ever brush your teeth?My fiancé said the other day to mewhen I was laying in my bed all comfy.I…
by Michael McGrath When awakened by a telephone call at some ungodly hour, I’d like to think I’m not alone in my reaction to it. Throwing back the covers, I scramble out of bed, and when I finally locate my phone I’m hesitant to pick it up, automatically assuming that…
by Hibah Shabkhez Usher me in, whispers chaos, grinningWickedly. The earth rails at the grey squaresOf concrete bordered with red lines of brickUpon which you are grotesquely wobblingIn the aimless revolt of youth that caresFor order, and ashamed of it, is quickAnd ferocious in calling for endings – Usher me…
by Brittney Cray In the small, picturesque town of Cresthaven, a shadow loomed beneath the façade of tranquility. It was a place where creativity flourished, where artists found solace in their craft, and where the written word held an esteemed place in the hearts of its inhabitants. But amidst the…
by Kevin Jones (This story contains murder and dark fantasy-horror elements.) I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve been there — to the graveyard. How many times I’ve felt the bone-chilling stares of the headstones as I walked through the raven-black gates. Every time, I gripped my flowers, my…