In The Back Row by Jim Towns

  In The Back Row by Jim Towns   Three Rivers, Michigan – July 9th, 1984   The afternoon had been hot, even for July. The sun had set around eight, but Rudolf had already risen. These short summer nights always made him impatient. So much of the day spent cooped up…so little time to…

Mama by Victoria Nations

Mama   by Victoria Nations   “Mama, I dug behind the coop today, but I didn’t find anything.” Mama sat stiff, her hands gripped on the chair arms. Her gnarled fingers were gray where they curled around the ends. She glared at the shovel, at my hands, to make sure they were dirty enough. “I…

The Collector

The Collector by Meg Pelliccio

Source: Shutterstock by Paul Schlemmer   The Collector by Meg Pelliccio Like a perched bird, he clawed his twisted fingers into the brittle bark and waited. His flesh twitched with anticipation whereas the more phantom of his being was under a constant threat of dissipating. He was no longer living, just as he was not dead.…

Putting the Trash Where It Belongs by Linda M. Crate

Putting the Trash Where It Belongs by Linda M. Crate   People watching was something he was good at. He was good at reading a situation, giving empathy to the right people, withholding it from others. There were very pretty specimens in this bar, but each of them seemed to be getting their ruffles feathered…

Vinegar of the Plague

Vinegar of the Plague Source WARNING: The treatment discussed here is a superstitious treatment developed in treating bubonic plague victims. Using essential oils directly on your skin can result in allergic reactions or burns. This is merely a historical piece and does not make claims for the use or efficacy of any non-medical treatments. Any…

Tree of Life by Christopher E. Ikpoh

Source: wallpaperscraft.com Tree of Life by Christopher E. Ikpoh Along the path, Thomas strolled. His steps were heavy against the stiff dirt beneath his feet; as heavy as the weight of his heart. The gray sky mirrored his soul. Thomas’ gloom was shared by the world, shared by the nature all around him, and the…