We Are Family

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by Nicole Little

 

I tried to stay calm.

But I could feel it moving.

My small cry of revulsion alerted him that I was awake. He approached from across the bunker and I cringed. 

“How are you feeling?”

“Sick.” 

“It won’t last forever.” He sat on the bed, adjusted my restraints. “It will be worth it.”

Tears stung my eyes. “Please. It will kill me.”

He edged closer, lightly caressed my stomach. 

It rippled in response. 

I screamed.

“You should be honoured, dear Emily.” All four insectoid eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “It’s the dawn of a new world. And you will be Mother.” 

Nicole Little

Nicole Little lives in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. Her short stories have appeared in thirteen anthologies, with her first novella set for release in November 2020. In her spare time, Nicole has either a pen in her hand or her nose in a book. She is married with two daughters.

Facebook: @NLitNon

Chastened

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by Patrick Winters

 

A blonde bombshell was walking Denny’s way. 

As she passed by with a flirtatious smile, his cheeks went red, and a lewd thought about her lips came crisp and clear to his mind.

An instant later, a wild flare of pain racked his body. The worst of the agony ignited in his nether regions, setting them afire. It was enough to bring tears.

As the sensation ceased, he heard that whisper in his head: The only desires you should think of are mine.

Denny, bowing to the thing inside him, moved along, head hung low, avoiding every woman he could.

 

Patrick Winters

Patrick Winters is a graduate of Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL, where he earned a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing. He has been published in the likes of Sanitarium Magazine, Deadman’s Tome, Trysts of Fate, and other such titles. A full list of his previous publications may be found at his author’s site, if you are so inclined to know: http://wintersauthor.azurewebsites.net/Publications/List

Parachnoids

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by Karen Bayly

 

“Parasitic arachnoids,” declared the entomologist. “Deadly.”

I’d laughed. “Pull the other one. I’ll be okay.”

Famous last words. There must be hundreds of the little bastards nestling in my flesh. I feel them eating, scratching, spreading, pushing upwards from within.

I can handle the legs growing out the edges of my nipples that look like wayward hairs. And the bristles all over my back and limbs aren’t so bad.

But it’s the eyes, man, the eyes. Popping up everywhere. Body, earlobes, eyelids, lips, even my penis. Damn. The tip of my dick has eight compound spider eyes.

Kill me. Please.

Karen Bayly

Karen Bayly is a writer, software tester, and author of the steampunk novel Fortitude. Her PhD in biology and research background both inform her writing, a fusion of science fiction and horror with traditional fantasy. She lives in Sydney, Australia, with two cats, a guitar, and a ukulele.

Website: www.karenbayly.com

The Harikikigaki Has the Answer

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by Kelly Matsuura

 

A weak pulse, lethargy, and fainting spells—Dr Yamata knew his wife was infected by a yōkai parasite. But which one?

“We shouldn’t have gone camping,” he mumbled, searching for his copy of The Harikikigaki, an ancient acupuncture text.

Later, he found Chiho unconscious in their backyard. As he desperately tried CPR, a tiny red-and-white horse escaped Chiho’s mouth with her final breath.

The doctor hadn’t found the textbook, but the umakan was unmistakable.

With a soft whinny, it flew next door, where the neighbour was burning leaves.

Dr Yamata would be seeing Mr Enami at his clinic very soon.

 

 Kelly Matsuura

Kelly Matsuura writes diverse YA, fantasy, and literary fiction.
She is the creator of The Insignia Series anthologies (Asian fantasy themed) and has had stories published with Ink & Locket Press, A Murder of Storytellers, Black Hare Press, Harbinger Press, and many more.

The Pirate’s Jewel

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by Andrew Kurtz

 

Max listened as the freak show owner addressed the crowd. “In this coffin are the remains of the blood-thirsty pirate, Orange Beard, who removed the hearts of his victims.”

Inside was a skeleton with a shredded black eye patch and a bright red jewel in its ribcage.

“The jewel is said to be cursed,” the owner warned.

After the freak show closed, Max snuck back into the tent, but when he lifted the coffin lid, he emitted a bone-chilling scream.

When the owner opened the coffin during the next show, there was a human heart nestled next to the jewel.

 

Andrew Kurtz

Andrew Kurtz is an up-and-coming horror author who writes very graphic and ultraviolent short stories which have appeared in numerous horror anthologies. Since childhood, he has loved horror films and literature. His favourite authors are Stephen King, Clive Barker, H.G. Wells, Richard Matheson, and Edgar Allan Poe.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/author/splatter

Freeflint’s Final Escape

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by Chris Hewitt

 

“Hanging is too good for him,” the Governor had declared. “Decency demanded justice and an example.”

Forgoing the execution, they’d clapped Freeflint in irons and hung him naked from the dockside gibbet for all to witness.

“You shan’t escape this time,” promised the Governor, placing guards on watch.

Freeflint lasted an agonising week before succumbing to dehydration and the elements. Not that death prevented his last escape. The sun might have taken the Pirate Captain’s skin and the seagulls his eyes, but his loyal crew claimed the rest, one pound of flesh at a time, as each paid their final respects.

 

 

Chris Hewitt

Chris resides in the beautiful garden of England, Kent, UK, and in the odd moments that he isn’t dog walking, he pursues his passion for all things horror, fantasy, and science fiction.

Blog: https://mused.blog/

The Red Fleet

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by R.A. Goli

 

The pirates spilled from the docks and into the village. They were after food, silk, and animal hides. Women, too.

Elizabeth ran back to her cottage, remembering the rough hands of the man who’d used her for his pleasure last time.

She released her familiars. By nightfall, a hundred rats invaded the ship and hid until the pirates set sail. Then they attacked.

These rats carried a disease new to these men. Soon their gums would bleed and teeth would fall out. Their bones would become brittle and pustules would burst from their skin.

The Red Fleet would never return.

 

R.A. Goli

R.A. Goli is an Australian writer of horror, fantasy, and speculative short stories, who enjoys reading, the occasional cemetery walk, and annoying her dog, two cats, and husband.

Check out her numerous publications including a fantasy novella and collection of short stories at https://ragoliauthor.wordpress.com/ or stalk her on Facebook @RAGoliAuthor.