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,...
Hugh stood at the pulpit, his hands loosely holding each side. Beads of sweat stood out on his wrinkled forehead despite the chill seeping into the old church. Errant drafts of winter wind entered from beneath the eaves and sporadically flowed over his balding head. “What...
[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text] [field title] [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]< Back to profile[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="12px"][vc_separator type="normal" color="#ffffff" thickness="5" up="3" down="3"][vc_empty_space height="24px"][vc_column_text]Use this form to send a message to author [taxonomy featured_author].[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="12px"][vc_column_text]Looking for more details? Visit our featured authors page for more information about this author.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="36px"][vc_column_text][contact-form-7...
[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" gap="15" equal_height="yes" css=".vc_custom_1475885484025{padding-bottom: 50px !important;}"][vc_column width="1/4"][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1585773570351{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}"] [taxonomy featured_author] [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="10px"][vc_single_image image="4250" img_size="200x200" alignment="center" style="vc_box_circle" qode_css_animation="" css_animation="top-to-bottom"][vc_empty_space height="10px"][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1476990443996{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}"] FEATURED AUTHOR [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"][vc_column_text] ✉ Message the Author [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Official Website • Amazon • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="20px"][vc_column_text]Ryan Harville...
Hello. If you’re listening to this then I’ve been found, and there will be questions. Oh yes, questions aplenty. I’m sure the first of which will be ‘Why?’ And that is a great one to start with but it’s also the one which doesn’t have an answer....
Is this thing on? I see the light blinking, so I guess I’m good. My name is Roy Harrison, and I was Sheriff of Bush County, Texas for nearly forty years. I suppose I’ve got a story to tell. A story about a city named Ashwood...
