by Rowan West She called to me from the jungle, a voice more beautiful than the moon itself. I was compelled to follow. She was exquisite to behold, perched on the ridged edge of a wellspring, its shape the most feminine thing I’d ever seen: a green and wine-coloured teardrop with a gorgeous canopy rising […]
by Maggie D. Brace Blindly, my capitulum squirms, seeking the sweet spot as I splay my grasping palps upon this hairy creature. Sensing throbbing hot blood, I gnash my chelicerae, slicing a channel into moist flesh. Legs akimbo, I jut my torso at an angle, lower my hypostome, and begin to satiate myself. I eject […]
by Lisa H. Owens Mr Smith had one unticked item on his bucket list: to capture an elusive Drop Bear, one last hurrah with which to punctuate his life story. He dusted off his passport; forty-eight hours later, was deep in the rainforest of the Great Dividing Range with a tour guide called Jiemba. He […]
by Geoff Hart Welcome to Oz! Good on you for ignoring the slander that everything’s out to kill ya. Funnel-web spiders? Easily avoided. Keep feet and fingers out of dark, enclosed spaces, like bedsheets. (Kidding! They almost never infest bedsheets. Almost.) Don’t fret over copperheads either; taipan’s more likely to do for ya. Don’t step […]
by Tim Law “Mate, I call bullshit. We’ve got the deadliest spiders, snakes galore, even killer koalas and you’re telling us the thing you fear the most is a bird?” “Yep, the cassowary, seen it firsthand.” “So, what’s so scary?” “Beady little eyes that you just can’t trust, horn on its head that can run […]
by Megan Larson “It’s called a lobotomy,” the doctor explains. “Your father thinks this is for the best.” Embarrassed by my outbursts, Father abandoned me in Bedlam with only my memories as solace. I’m sorry, Daddy. He tightens the leather straps confining me to the chair and grabs a knife. Warm blood oozes down my […]
by Corinne Pollard “Doctor, how fares my elder brother? He’s been locked inside for five years now. Is he cured? Will he take back his inheritance?” “I’m afraid not, sir. Your brother continues to show odd behaviour and disturbing symptoms like scratching at walls, screaming, attacking himself and others.” “Pity.” “Rest assured, we will find […]
by Mallory Needles The straps dig into my wrists and ankles. The doctor hums as he sticks the electrodes on my head. His face is hidden under a grimy mask and greasy hat. Only his eyes, wild with glee, peer out from underneath. “Shall we get started?” he sings. His voice seems familiar… “Listen Doc,” I […]
by Iseult Murphy They took Sarah’s phone, money and driving license at intake. “No need for these here. We’ll take care of everything.” A nurse stripped Sarah before hosing her down in the shower. “No need to be ashamed or hate yourself anymore. We’ll make you better.” Sarah took the oval tablets from the nurse […]
by Alden Terzo Fluorescent light flickered across the cracked, stained walls. The bitter aroma of disinfectant tried and failed to mask the immutable stench of despair. Gary sat, restrained, across from Dr Franklin and another. “Gary, this is Dr Guhya,” Dr Franklin said. “You’re not doctors!” Gary spit. “You’re aliens in disguise!” “We’re both aliens?” […]