HONEYMOON

They pulled up in their rented red convertible to 76 Achlys Cove. Morgan let out a gasp. “Oh. My. God.” Can you believe this?” “I can’t wait to see the view!” Miles said. She raced up to the door and put the number to the house, while he unloaded. He looked up at the old… Continue reading HONEYMOON

The Long Ones

Cason had never been to the wall before. It was busier than he expected: hundreds of sweaty and starving men crammed together in front of a screen and speaker all jostling to get to the front as if that made it more likely that their number would get called. The air was noisy with the… Continue reading The Long Ones

If It’s Black, Fight Back

It’s easy to love horror movies when you haven’t experienced one yourself. That’s it. That’s my opinion. These days, I find nothing more relaxing than dumb reality shows where the only danger facing contestants is being sent to an “exile island”. As a teenager who had to grapple with the struggles of a dead mother,… Continue reading If It’s Black, Fight Back

My Brother\’s Keeper

There were pieces of the walls scattered across the floor like confetti. The room smelled like bile and two scared animals. He had been watching August as he lay unconscious on the floor. August was far from well. He wouldn’t stop rolling his head across the concrete in the same nauseating motion, over and over… Continue reading My Brother\’s Keeper

Eldritch Care

Jerry lay in his bed, staring up at dusty white ceiling panels. The first light of morning shone through large rectangular windows, muted by yellowed curtains. He drew in a deep breath, tasting the mild odor of disinfectant in the air. “Another day in paradise.” He sighed. He’d never get used to that smell. He… Continue reading Eldritch Care

A Handful of Flies

Marty flinched under his covers when the door slammed out in the living room, but that slamming door, followed by the muffled cries of his mom, meant that it was over. The curse words, the yelling, the breaking of things, it was over. Marty sighed. Soon, his mom would cry herself to sleep, and the… Continue reading A Handful of Flies

King\’s Table

The light danced shades of warm and cold on the walls as the lamp swayed slightly in a gust of wind from the open door. The room was cool, damp and anonymous. Hidden far underground. The walls monotonous. He saw the flickering red dots; aware of the recording. In the center of the room stood… Continue reading King\’s Table

The Red Light

There is a light out there. A red light in a house so far off the beaten path it\’s bruised with neglect. It should have been forgotten. Was for decades. But that hardly matters now. What does is avoiding the light. Completely. Unless you can\’t. And if you can\’t, I\’ll see you soon. I guess… Continue reading The Red Light

Nourish

I. Steam This dream is always the same, because it’s also a memory. She sits near the end of the dock, her delicate frame perched on a small black cooler, her back to him, her face to the sun. The day is brilliant, early summer light off the water nearly blinding. Charlotte isn’t fishing, but… Continue reading Nourish

His Skin

I really liked his grave. The cemetery overlooked a deep lake where birds flew all around. The little grove around the church was also perfect. It wasn\’t too thick, too wild, too sparse, or manmade. It felt and looked, well, natural and beautiful. The grounds themselves were pretty well-kept. Most of the other tombstones had… Continue reading His Skin