by Ryan Van Ells The stew looks delicious. My stomach rumbles. I look at the babysitter. “Not yet,” she says. “It needs mandrake root.” I hand her one. “Now?” “Not yet. It needs sage.” I hand her the bottle. “What about now?” “Not yet. It needs lizard guts.” I reach for the lizard, his stomach […]
by James Rumpel “It’s a huge crowd,” stated AJ, nervously. “Of course. You’re famous,” replied Cecil, handing AJ the tip jar. AJ moved into position, greeted by raucous applause. Cecil pulled out a small doll and began to manipulate it surreptitiously. With each twist of the voodoo doll, AJ performed a matching break-dance move, amazing […]
by Don Money The book cover made of tree bark grabbed Elroy’s attention, but what intrigued him more was the title, Dark Magic of Appalachia. The horror the spells inside promised gave rise to a dark idea. A gluttony incantation and the moonshine from Elroy’s still became something people couldn’t live without. The desire consumed […]
by Chris Clemens “Last chance. Are we completely sure he’d want this?” “His will is clear: immediate resurrection. Mr Kocher spent a fortune on this nekronomi-whatever book. Careful, the cover’s falling apart.” “It’s just… LOOK at him.” “I won’t. It’s gross. Now start chanting!” Hissing forbidden syllables, the assistants shuffled around concentric pentagrams they’d etched […]
by Ria Hill The patch of stone he kneels on is as bare as it is holy. He has done the unthinkable and sought immortality. That achieved, he waits in chains before the only few who could revoke that gift. His final sentence is a shock that stiffens his spine. “Keep your eternity,” the priestess […]
by Akis Linardos Ethereal chains binding you to your wife rattle as you trudge onto the porch. To the cold indifferent desert night. Heads of men that once voted you bounce across the barren road, ensnared in tumbleweeds. Crackling paper pleasure, you roll another cancer-stick—a brief respite from the mental anguish of your sins. Hopefully […]
by Kai Delmas I scoured the oldest libraries and their secret texts. I uncovered clues that were lost or thought destroyed. Hidden away behind a sealed brick wall, the tome was clasped in a skeleton’s hands upon an altar. Now it’s finally mine. I leaf through the pages to find them… empty. Nothing. Nothing at […]
by Christina Persaud This damned dissertation. Loose leaf papers threaten to take flight. Books stacked upon books, most if not all on the occult. My bleary eyes strain to read one in particular: The Sworn Book of Honorius. It’s old. Language too ancient to ask for help. So, I read aloud, sounding out syllables, hearing […]
by Freya King Ophelia stared at Grimgran’s sunken cheeks in the casket. The townspeople, who’d called Grimgran a witch and shunned her, attended like vultures. Ophelia raged. “Ophio-cordyceps Ants in their pants Punish everyone here To their graves, make’em dance” To her delight, this time it worked. […]
by Kristin Lennox Amelia discovered the book in the thrift store behind a stack of Reader’s Digests. She was a sucker for old tomes, and this one checked all the boxes. The pages crackled like delicate insect wings, revealing handwritten passages in some long-dead language with oddly sensual illustrations. Tucked into her wingback with a […]