by Liv Strom My music—purer than any human’s—flows out from the bridge’s shade, seeking prey too young for caution and regret. There. A treat bounces his ball under my overhang. It’s here, the music calls. “Viktor!” a mother shouts. Hunger churns. Pace it right, and I’ll have both tonight. Don’t fear… I retreat, strumming my […]
by Sascha Reinhard A secret smile flicks across my lips every time I walk over you. The river murmurs beneath in a joyful melody, accompanying the scuff of my boots on unsmoothed cobblestone. Time will dull the edges and the pain, but not my memory of the price I bid you pay. I let my […]
by R.A. Goli Cold wind whips my hair into my face and I shiver. It’s almost midnight. The only sound besides the wind is the ticking of my cooling engine. Everyone knows the story; the woman in white, who haunts the bridge. Teenagers dare each other to cross; friends turn off their car’s headlights to […]
by F. Malanoche I flicked off the bathroom light after a late night piss and blindly stumbled across the hallway to my bedroom. All I wanted was to get back to my comfy spot in bed. The air conditioner whirred to life, covering the hum of the fridge. Then something clicked. An orange spark came […]
by Paul Lonardo I’d seen my new neighbour lying out on her back deck at 3 a.m. the night before. She wore only a red bikini, her pale skin shimmering under the light of the Hunter’s Moon. When she appeared the next night, I went over to say hello. She asked me to put lotion […]
by Keev Kennedy I expected my drunk brother to be the 3 a.m. knocker, but what I got was a little girl and a box. “My sisters and I are seeking donations for our food drive,” she said. “Can you spare a part?” “Come back in the morning,” I answered exhaustedly. The girl frowned, then […]
by Francesco Levato The growling was ragged and wet, like a frenzy of teeth tearing a child’s beloved toy apart. It set my senses on edge, broke the neighbourhood’s pre-dawn stillness—and it was getting closer. The pack rounded the corner, thundering into the haze of the streetlight. As it closed on me, I could make […]
by Brandon Korth Living beside an elementary school is good fun during the day. Listening to the kids play ball, swing on the swings, and run around laughing can cheer me up in the foulest of moods, but that stops during the night. When the echoes of the kids continue to sound after the moon […]
by G.B. Dinesh The doorbell rings. It’s 3 a.m. God, who died? I find a postman outside the door. “Hello, Mr Smith.” He hands over an invitation. An invitation to— “Mister, what game are you playing?” I try to grab his collar, but I can’t. I dash to the bedroom. I touch my wife, I […]
by Josh Hagen Three nights in a row. Cars lined up for blocks through the neighbourhood. The crowd has grown from last time. More like a swarm. All searching for their sweet nectar. I called the police again. The patrol showed up and got in line. Shuffling forward to receive their gift. Enough of this. […]