Short Fiction
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Johnny felt cold. Even though the strange vanilla room was warm, Johnny shivered in his jumpsuit. Why was he barefoot in a smooth gray jumpsuit? He had been wearing Vans and khaki cargo shorts and a buttoned-down business shirt this morning. Steve had given him serious side-eye over Johnny’s idea of business casual, but Johnny
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Mona sighed as she slipped into the corner booth. The sparkly heart red vinyl squeaked as she sank into its depths. Fresno Freddie’s was her official third place. Outside of work and home between her favorite second hand bookstore and library the slip of a greasy spoon was her haven. Mona settled MothWoman’s costume in
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The dirt driveway sneaked around and up to the Marrow farm. Officer Ravencroft drove up surveying the half rotten chicken coop and worn farmhouse. He slammed his patrol car door. Old Man Marrow watched the cop watching his farm.Without a word Lucan Marrow climbed down from his lopsided porch and headed for the circle.Ravencroft followed.
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“What’s with the creepy door, Colin?” Rosie asked. “I love all the natural light. Are you on city water or well water?”Malcom glanced up from his phone to scrutinize another cluttered room in his uncle’s new to him house. It was an old farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. Colin had worked some deal with
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Momma why are there so many stars?” Beatrix slurped her milk and surveyed the sky.“Well I can only tell you what was told to me. First Woman gathered her epic wisdom and pressed it into diamonds in her cornmeal pot and was set to lay them out on the night’s velvet. Out of pure cussedness
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“Shall I play Mother?” Iris raised a plump hand in a helpful gesture.Agatha smiled her answer and Iris lifted the china teapot. It was bright white with yellow band and cheery blue flowers. And must’ve costed the earth. The fine dark tea splashed into its cup. Iris poured another for herself. There were no biscuits
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“I need you to listen to me very carefully. You don’t know me, but I know you.” The voice in my head was calm as a cleaver. I had held my breath waiting when I noticed the blank envelope among the bills and circulars. I turned the letter carefully in my hands. No need to
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“It’s true bro honest to God. I saw it on tik tok.”Chris sighed. Denny had a PlayStation, the newest games, his mom always bought Fanta, but he would not stop talking. While sidestepping zombie Rottweilers, Chris made interested sounds.“You know how you can dial 411 for help even if your phone’s dead or unlock any
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Snow thick as marshmallow fluff crunched satisfyingly beneath our boots. Our breaths came in white ghosts. Sneaking looks at me under the brim of his Phillies cap, Taylor was about to say something. I silenced him with an arched eyebrow. We are at the wrought iron gates. I remember Mr. Levin saying how on Sundays
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This is my handDeep in my pocketOver my heartCovering my eyes, oh God Covering my eyesLaying in bedNever wanting to get up againHere is my hand Another morningWeighs on my chest pressingOver my heartTake this hand Pinned to the sadnessDeep inThe pocket ripped patched tornBleeding precious need To reach out to rise
circular staircase 