Elmer took a drag on his Marlboro, paused a moment to consider the playing cards pinched between his thumb and forefinger, then blew smoke from his nostrils in two thick plumes. He surveyed the two men before him, then let his gaze wander aimlessly over...
For part one of this story, click here. Well, well, well. Look who’s still alive and kicking! It’s me in case you were confused. Rudolph, or Rudy, if you prefer. For now, at least. Last time we spoke I was on my last legs, riddled with...
Scott swam through the warm waters of a dream. He floated in a place he simultaneously recognized and knew nothing about. It was the nature of dreams and his subconscious didn’t mind the confusion. He was warm and comfortable and sleeping as soundly as anyone...
My wife and I were house hunting. We’d been saving for years to get the down payment together. A lot of struggling and cutting corners were finally going to pay off. We had visited five houses in various neighborhoods, trying to find the right fit...
Evan pulled into a spot in front of the diner and parked. He sat motionless for a moment, his hands hanging loosely on the steering wheel as he stared through the windshield and into the harsh yellow light of the diner beyond. He exhaled a...
Daniel pushed his mop bucket before him by the mop’s handle, careful not to go too fast. He would’ve liked to avoid another accident like– The bucket swerved to the left, then ricocheted back towards him, sloshing gray mop water over his sneakers. He felt the...
Ralph trudged through the woods, his boots heavy with sticky mud and pine needles, his shotgun slung over his shoulder. The deep purple of twilight was fast approaching. The leafy canopy above his head was a muddle of rusty orange and deep brown, with a few...
Nathan walked out of the church and into the bright Sunday morning light. The pastor had ended his sermon early, noon still a half-hour away. Nathan fished his keys from his pocket and made his way to his car, one of the last remaining in...
The midday sun stood at its zenith, bathing them in unforgiving heat. Brendan wiped sweat from his brow with the heel of his hand, then dried it on the edge of his shirt. “Christ, it’s hot,” Brendan said. “Remind me never to go to an amusement...
I have slept six hours in the past eight days. Time is beginning to slow to a crawl, dragging my perception behind it like an anchor that just won’t pull out from the mud. The more I try to organize my thoughts the more muddled...
It was August in Alabama, half past noon, and suffocatingly hot. It was beautiful outside, with pines lining the road and the smell of their sap in the air. But nature couldn’t mask the stark scenes of small-town decay. Alms Hill was barely big enough to...
Joe strode forward, taking wide steps through the knee-deep snow. Somewhere behind him rose the howl of the hounds, following him, drawing closer with each of his belabored breaths. “Goddamn dogs,” he cursed, a plume of vapor escaping his lips. He drew his coat tighter across...
I’m Deputy Carl Hayford, and these are the events of August 28th. The full story, all of it, including what I couldn’t put in my official statement. It was a slow night. All of the patients were nice and cozy in their rooms, locked behind reinforced...
This isn’t a story. This is the truth, and I’m recordin’ it all so I never forget. There’s parts I’d like to forget. Hell, most of it. But I can’t let that happen, because then I’d lose the good parts too. And those are worth holding...
To whomever may be listening, welcome to the end of the world. That’s fucked up, huh? Hundreds of thousands of years of building up to this? It’s beyond surreal, and to be honest I don’t think I’ve processed it. Processed it?! Heh, that’s funny. Like anyone...
Cal’s phone slipped from his hand, landing in his lap and startling him awake. He looked around the room, orienting himself. He was still in the recliner, its familiar comfort grounding him and bringing him back to the present. He’d dozed off while staring at his...
It’s time for a story about Santa Claus. Well, a Santa, at least. And there is a difference, ‘cause the real Santa is myth and bullshit, but this Santa was the real deal. His name was Nicholas White, and I’m gonna tell you upfront: I don’t...
The old man answered the door on the second knock. Seth stood relaxed as the door swung open, revealing a short, elderly man in a long, striped robe. “Hello,” the man said with a wide smile of dentures. “Are you the computer person?” “Yes,” Seth said, offering his...
“Last day,” Lieutenant Foster said. “By thirteen-hundred we’ll be done with this shit.” Staff Sergeant Perez nodded, still staring out over the horizon from his chair atop the parking garage. Seagulls flew near the shoreline, their incessant cries echoing through the humid morning air. The sun...
I awoke to a knock on the door. I’d been out drinking the night before, had a few too many, and was sleeping it off. I turned over to face the clock, and its stark, red numbers read 8:19 AM. I got out of bed slowly,...
