by Liam Hogan Yellow hazmats escort him to the farmhouse door to share the news. Inside, his wife strangles a dishcloth, and the sheepdog wanders over to sniff his boots. “Is it…?” He nods. “Five cases.” She looks almost relieved. “Well, that’s not so—” “You don’t understand,” he monotones. “The ministry is taking no […]
by Kimberly Rei Wind ruffled across hay bales, carrying the earthy scent through open farmhouse windows. No snores drifted back, no sounds of sleeping residents. When the police inevitably arrived, they wouldn’t find bodies. They would find bloody pieces. Not enough to form a full human, though the house once held a family of […]
by Vijayaraj Mahendraraj The shutters slammed repeatedly, winds howling amidst the desolate crop fields. Overbeck’s eyes gleamed, his bloodied grip on the pitchfork waning. The doors and windows were barred, nailed shut. A lone bulb flickered above. They promised the substance would revitalise his land, beckoning bountiful fields of produce effortlessly. It worked. But […]
by Robyn Fraser January 5th. According to folklore, at midnight the animals in the barn speak in human voices. Anna is tucked behind the hay bales, shaking with excitement. The barn is dimly lit and cold, and the cows’ breath fogs the air. The ropes and hooks hung on the wall cast terrible shadows. […]
by Chad Miller The Sheep took centre stage on the chamber floor. As they displayed their prize, the Senators gasped. “This is an outrage!” exclaimed the Cow. The Pig shook his head. “This will close all negotiations. It’s a declaration of war!” The Sheep retorted, “You cannot negotiate with tyrants.” The Horse neighed, “Our […]
by Maggie D. Brace A chorus of sharp bleats rent the air as Tilly entered the barnyard. “What’s got them all fired up?” she queried, a wave of apprehension coursing through her innards. George had been at the shearing longer than usual. What could be keeping him? Heading toward the sheep enclosure, she immediately […]
by James Hall Back in the eighties and all the way through until the late nineties, the images of missing children were a common sight on any paper milk carton: whether it be hand delivered by little Jonny on his bicycle, or picked up in the local store. It wasn’t until the introduction of […]
by LJ McLeod Annabelle had never liked the old brown cow. It was the eyes. Those unblinking, ice-blue eyes. When Annabelle checked the fences, it was there. When she put out the hay for the herd, it was already waiting. “It’s just a cow,” she would remind herself. “Nothing to fear.” So why did […]
by Blaise Langlois There was only one way to do it, and they had to be quick. Rats were always more intelligent than humans gave them credit for, and now they had become extra clever. Trying to avoid the farmer’s tricks wasn’t a game—it was a matter of survival, and one too many of […]
by Pauline Yates I love how my lover slides his mouth down the woman’s neck. How he pauses near her jugular vein, warming his lips with heat from her racing heart. He nips her skin, teasing, her involuntary moan at the pleasure he inflicts sets fire to my cold heart. When he’s finished with […]