by Evan Baughfman Crimson lights flickered along twisted strands, causing the tall tree to resemble a creature with blinking red eyes. Ghoulish garland snaked across countertops, cluttered with holiday cheer. The fireplace roared with hellish flames. Stockings hung limp, like fresh corpses from the gallows. Aghast, I turned to my wife, shrieking, “No! What […]
by Stephanie Parent They say the goddess of spring was plucking a blossom when she was nabbed, yanked beneath the earth, but here’s the truth: Persephone’s desire made that chasm yawn wide. Even blooming is a profession you can grow weary of; even beauty becomes a burden. Even a mother’s love can twist and […]
by Jameson Grey I’ve always loved to be loved. I look down upon myself, endlessly gazing at my reflection in the spring, reminded of my late twin sister’s beauty. Of my beauty. I cannot leave now. The air is no longer air. It has shifted—throttling my lungs as it flows through—like breathing has reversed […]
by Ximena Escobar Crimson petals, as bright as the blood she spilled, did nothing to soothe their wounds. Red, like her mane swaying, as branches tore her slaves’ skin and her pores wept. She’d lain the flowers at His feet. Despite that, he still looked down on her. Hanging up there, on the crucifix. […]
by Constantine E. Kiousis He’d been following her since the pub, her silhouette outlined against the pale moonlight. She’d caught his eye immediately, her black dress and furry bucket-hat screaming “money.” She wasn’t bad on the eyes either. Most of those stuck-up bitches weren’t. She took a sharp turn down an alley. He grinned […]
by Rachel Reeves Sweat soaks the man’s shirt, breaking his pale skin into tomato blotches. He scrabbles in the crossing, nails cracking in the sun. The box was here; the whispered stories had to be true. “Searching for salvation, stranger?” The scrabbling man stops and smooths his shirt, every bit the contrite child. “Salvation? […]
by Tim Law We ride through the night, my master and I. At witch’s summons we arise from the pumpkin’s patch, sabre drawn and jack-o’-lantern head. We search until our quarry is found and then the race begins. This part I love the most, the thrill of the chase. We ride across land we […]
by Xavier Garcia It’s five to midnight and I’m nowhere when I see her, dressed in white; a blushing bride. She’s not here to give me anything like the life growing inside my wife’s tummy, just the birthing of maggots in my gut. And yet, how sweet would it be to taste her lips, […]
by Pauline Yates Drunk on Samsu, I muddle the warning about a white-dressed woman with long, lank hair. Who said that? The bartender? No, a Malaysian beggar; a story for a coin, he said as I staggered home. A generous man, I obliged, and learned about the mythical Kuntilanak, a vengeful female spirit who […]
by C.L. Sidell We abandoned Will at camp—packed our belongings whilst he sweated hallucinations. The risk of contracting fever was too great. Three days later, we were shocked to find him waiting for us at the station. “Jake,” he said with a nod. “Lyle.” From atop the passenger car, a gigantic snow-white bird released […]