by Meahgan Ferral In the dark of the woods, where sunbeams rarely kissed the ground and strangers never stepped, there was a small community, tucked away in the leaves and branches and dirt. I’ve lived my life there, in a cabin with my parents and sister. The two of us spent our childhood roaming beneath the trees with our parents at our heels, whispering in our ears to never wander too far, to never stray Read more…
by Camryn Lehr I don’t remember the city where I was born. I was taken to this world of green before I could talk. At bedtime, I used to snuggle into my soft lime-printed blanket, and ask Grandfather to tell me of the city. He always sat in my blue desk chair, which made him look unusually large, and read from a worn, stained piece of paper. I’ve always wanted to read it, but the Read more…
by Natalia Vodilkova It was Mr. and Mrs. Popovich’s 20th anniversary today, and both of them forgot. Boris Popovich went about his day routinely; Wake up in his damp bed around 5 am. Take a piss. Without washing his hands, put on the same khakis and collared shirt as every workday. Check himself out in the mirror. Not bad for 55. Head for the door—pay no attention to Mrs. Popovich on the way out, who Read more…
by Marleigh Green Tom knew there would be consequences when he knifed Andre in the ribs, not that he’d had much choice in the matter. Andre had been mad-dogging him across the yard for weeks, and everyone had whispered that he was fixing to do something. Tom never found out what the something was. The creaky cot squeaked every time he moved, but other than the sounds he made, the cell was silent. It was Read more…
by Amanda J. Marshall “Ouch!” Alice cried. She looked down and slid back the kitchen knife to survey the damage. At first, all she noticed was a white line on her index finger, but, after a pause, blood fiercely spurted out, raining down on the freshly sliced carrots. She grabbed a towel off the stove handle and held it down. She started to feel faint, and it wasn’t because of the blood. This is how Read more…