No Return
He tried so hard to make the bad thoughts go away, but they kept circling. Ideas of self-harm collapsed upon one another, creating an avalanche of…
I’ve Seen Death
“I saw it. I swear by God that I saw Death when I was twelve. Mother showed me how.” The man at the lunch counter was tall, with long white hair and…
A Betrayal of Trust
Mr. Lucas parked his red Toyota Camry in the empty parking lot underneath the baseball field. After the headlights expired, the only remaining light…
A Crime in New England
The Dunkin’ Donuts off of Interstate 93 is easy to miss. Millions of drivers do it every day despite the comfortable white, pink, and pale orange…
Following the Freak
The Boss had made his declaration with a red face and a T-shirt caked with sweat. “We need everyone to be as vigilant as possible. Governor Morrison…
“This Hovel with Burning Passion,” “Scholomance,” “Morgantown Pulp,” and “Who Can Say What Grave?”
This Hovel with Burning Passion Cold water rots the walls, but his fingers seize her lovely lips To kiss away the dirt of former flings. The mold may…
Allen
When we first met, I thought that he was odd. Odd, but harmless. He and I were first-year master’s students in the English department; we were…
“To My Old Friend, C.K.,” “Custodes,” “Waiting for the Wounds,” and Other Poems
To My Old Friend, C.K. They never believe you; not in Vegas or Chicago. They laugh at you--- you with your white shoes and seersucker suit. They…
WatchingU
Jared reread the flyer: “WANTED: Test subject for new phone app. Generous salary. No fuss, fun, and educational. Students preferred.” Jared often…
The Girl at CVS
At 11 o’clock, I pulled into the almost empty CVS parking lot. I killed the engine. From my breast pocket, I pulled out the folded, yellow, sticky…
