by Gary Zenker “It’s not whether it actually works or not,” my cousin Seymour explains enthusiastically, “but whether it has the possibility of working.” That was the basis for all of his success and for the failures of anyone whom he encountered. Possibility and faith. “I know it will work given the right conditions.” I…
Category: Fiction
The Cargo
by Devin James Leonard It was after midnight and had been storming since the start of Buckley and Teale’s three-hundred-mile drive across New York State. Two hours into their journey, just outside the Winona State Forest, the snow blanketed the road, causing the wheels to lose traction and slide unpredictably. This was dangerous weather for…
Electric Candle
by Alfredo Salvatore Arcilesi Heart pumping faster than her legs, she feared she might kill her mother, feared her father would catch up to her. “Cora!” Oh, no! Daddy’s getting closer, she thought. He’s s’posed to be sleeping. Ignoring her father’s pursuit, Cora ran past the quiet houses lining the quiet street on this otherwise…
Told You
by Travis Flatt “I dare you,” the day nurse, Kaylee, says. For the tenth time, I’ve warned her of the severity of my seizures. It’s easy to understand how Kaylee, who’s a student, twenty-three at most, cat-eyed, jet black-hair, knuckle-bitingly gorgeous, might provoke a man here on the Monitoring Unit to brag like he’s the…
High Demand
by Ethan Zaborowski They had discerned a method of swimming past the cages long ago, but this season some entered them at will. Not one knew that the cages led to land, to the hands of men, to commerce, to the mouth—and besides, they figured without words, now was the moment to think a way…
Why Don’t You Talk About It?
by Babak Movahed Why don’t you talk about it? There’s not much to talk about. My childhood was mostly normal, certainly not traumatic. Struggle is an inevitability of upbringing. We’re not made to perfection, some divine replica of God’s image. No. Flaws are woven in the fabric of who we are. Fathers and sons, cut…
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Wrong
by Sean McFadden Trigger warning:This story contains mental health issues including suicidal ideation. If you are struggling, please know you’re not alone. And help is available. Just reach for it.In the US, call or text 988, or visit https://988lifeline.orgIn the UK, call 0800 689 5652 or visit https://www.spuk.org.uk/national-suicide-prevention-helpline-uk Nolan took the Doran Plaza elevator to…
The Top Drawer
by Peter Conrad Everything I thought I knew has changed: the coal mine is closing, and today is the last for Rob. He is laid off permanently. We are getting a good price for the house as a part of the settlement. We must be out in a month. It’s too fast, I am still…
Balloons
by Erin Jamieson When I think of my dad, I always return to the image of a single purple balloon, violently shaking in the wind. A balloon from my sixth birthday, days after a bad infection that kept me in bed for a week, with a winking face and bulbous sharpie eyes. Having an NG…