(2 minute read) by Daniel Tierney (U.S.A) The phone in the next apartment had been ringing for hours. It seemed to be coming from through the wall behind her bed. The ringing would reach ten, then stop. After a few seconds it would begin again, over and over. She felt herself about to scream with …
(4 minute read) by Peter McAllister (U.K) Strip lights hum overhead. The familiar blue linoleum beckons me back, past taunting windows and through double doors which shield me temporarily from my nightmare. Why don’t they put plants in here? Something living, thriving. The plastic cup I’m holding, limp from heat, exudes the disappointing acridity of …
(5 minute read) by Sara Quayle (U.S.A) What are you doing Jack? says Mother. If you fall out that window the only thing that will break your fall is the pricker bushes. Oh nothing, I say. Just looking out. Well, get away from there right now, Jackson Smith Emerson! Mother doesn’t know about the Wind. …
(5 minute read) by Megan Diedericks (South Africa) Alma lifted her head, the teacup remained steaming. She pushed her foggy glasses to the top of her head. She placed the reddened knife next to the plate, taking the toast and clenching her teeth down onto it. The strawberry jam plopped onto her shirt, she sighed. …
(5 minute read) by Peter Stavros (U.S.A) “I just need to be by the water,” Sadie says as we sit out on the patio, after dinner and our evening walk, watching the burnt orange sun descend beyond the wavering elm trees that separate our property from our neighbor’s. “That’s all I need—just the water.” Sadie’s …
(20 minute read) by Donna Graves (U.S.A) Nicole, Alex, and the baby would be somewhere in the Midwest now. They’d left California while the air—deceivingly fresh and cool—gave no hint that blistering triple digits, so normal now, would hit by afternoon. Pam was angry. Too much had happened. Too much had gone wrong. When she’d …
(5 minute read) by Steve Carr (U.S.A) Sunlight sparkled on the glass jar that lay on its side in white sand. Inside it, Itsy opened her bright blue eyes, yawned, and stretched. The jar was long enough for her to comfortably touch the air holes poked into the tin lid with her outstretched fingers and …
(1 minute read) by Terry Mahoney (U.K) It's been a long time since I tried to learn French. Today, I'm trying harder as she gets into her stride. She's enthusiastic, speaks with her body; drives her message home, pacing the floor; smiles, grimaces, gesticulates and frowns. My problem is the cleavage. Not unattractive but too …
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