Dark Moments

Showtime by Warren Benedetto sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)" alt="Showtime by Warren Benedetto" class="motion-reduce" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="630" >

Showtime by Warren Benedetto

Deke woke from a dream of his life before the circus. He had been roaming under the endless Montana sky. A blinding light shone from above. A watery, gurgling voice...

Showtime by Warren Benedetto

Deke woke from a dream of his life before the circus. He had been roaming under the endless Montana sky. A blinding light shone from above. A watery, gurgling voice...

The Greatest Show on Earth by Pauline Yates sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)" alt="The Greatest Show on Earth by Pauline Yates" class="motion-reduce" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="630" >

The Greatest Show on Earth by Pauline Yates

Teaching a monkey how to strike a match was a clever trick. It required the use of electric shocks to his fingers, but when he lights the ring of fire...

The Greatest Show on Earth by Pauline Yates

Teaching a monkey how to strike a match was a clever trick. It required the use of electric shocks to his fingers, but when he lights the ring of fire...

Tick Tock by Vijayaraj Mahendraraj sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)" alt="Tick Tock by Vijayaraj Mahendraraj" class="motion-reduce" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="630" >

Tick Tock by Vijayaraj Mahendraraj

The contorted body was lifeless, yet warm. Hollow eyes, horrified visage. Tick tock, a portent of doom. The mirthful laughter seemed a distant memory. The ‘Ringmaster’ promised a unique experience....

Tick Tock by Vijayaraj Mahendraraj

The contorted body was lifeless, yet warm. Hollow eyes, horrified visage. Tick tock, a portent of doom. The mirthful laughter seemed a distant memory. The ‘Ringmaster’ promised a unique experience....

Spectre Spectacular by James Hancock sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)" alt="Spectre Spectacular by James Hancock" class="motion-reduce" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="630" >

Spectre Spectacular by James Hancock

We came to town at night. Cries of wild steeds broke the silence as a line of covered wagons brought hidden mysteries for a special performance. Word spread fast, and...

Spectre Spectacular by James Hancock

We came to town at night. Cries of wild steeds broke the silence as a line of covered wagons brought hidden mysteries for a special performance. Word spread fast, and...

The Juggler by Caoimhin Kennedy sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)" alt="The Juggler by Caoimhin Kennedy" class="motion-reduce" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="630" >

The Juggler by Caoimhin Kennedy

The urge to piss led him behind the tent. He unzipped and released. Footsteps forced a halt to his relief. He turned and there the Juggler stood. Three balls tossed...

The Juggler by Caoimhin Kennedy

The urge to piss led him behind the tent. He unzipped and released. Footsteps forced a halt to his relief. He turned and there the Juggler stood. Three balls tossed...

Nightmares at the Circus by Liam Hogan sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)" alt="Nightmares at the Circus by Liam Hogan" class="motion-reduce" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="630" >

Nightmares at the Circus by Liam Hogan

There was no net. There was no audience, either. Not a live one, anyway. Just corpses, staring up into the big top. If Sally didn't make it to the waiting...

Nightmares at the Circus by Liam Hogan

There was no net. There was no audience, either. Not a live one, anyway. Just corpses, staring up into the big top. If Sally didn't make it to the waiting...

Near Miss by Sophie Wagner sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)" alt="Near Miss by Sophie Wagner" class="motion-reduce" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="630" >

Near Miss by Sophie Wagner

Blindfolded and arms outstretched, he turned to the crowd and asked for a volunteer. No one moved. After a moment, a clown stepped into the crowd and hauled a sobbing...

Near Miss by Sophie Wagner

Blindfolded and arms outstretched, he turned to the crowd and asked for a volunteer. No one moved. After a moment, a clown stepped into the crowd and hauled a sobbing...

Clowning Around by Blaise Langlois sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)" alt="Clowning Around by Blaise Langlois" class="motion-reduce" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="630" >

Clowning Around by Blaise Langlois

I had been in the tent for most of the afternoon, sticky from the August heat. So far, most of the applicants had been rather underwhelming. Just then, an awkward...

Clowning Around by Blaise Langlois

I had been in the tent for most of the afternoon, sticky from the August heat. So far, most of the applicants had been rather underwhelming. Just then, an awkward...

The Naughty List by Les Talma sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)" alt="The Naughty List by Les Talma" class="motion-reduce" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="630" >

The Naughty List by Les Talma

She made a deal with Santa. It was uncommon, but she had been very good, while others had been very bad.  So bad that they’d driven her best friend to...

The Naughty List by Les Talma

She made a deal with Santa. It was uncommon, but she had been very good, while others had been very bad.  So bad that they’d driven her best friend to...

Into Every Life Falls a Little Rain, Dear by Steven Holding sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)" alt="Into Every Life Falls a Little Rain, Dear by Steven Holding" class="motion-reduce" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="630" >

Into Every Life Falls a Little Rain, Dear by St...

‘Tis goodwill season and the Devil’s fuming. Despite different addresses (one red-hot, another ice cold), post destined for the pole keeps appearing. Incorrect grammar’s the reason: lists from mixed-up kids...

Into Every Life Falls a Little Rain, Dear by St...

‘Tis goodwill season and the Devil’s fuming. Despite different addresses (one red-hot, another ice cold), post destined for the pole keeps appearing. Incorrect grammar’s the reason: lists from mixed-up kids...

Daddy's Little Girl by Blaise Langlois sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)" alt="Daddy's Little Girl by Blaise Langlois" class="motion-reduce" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="630" >

Daddy's Little Girl by Blaise Langlois

The note, propped up against a plate of cookies, read: For Santa. No persuasion was required—St Nick had come to expect such delicacies. After washing down the treats with a...

Daddy's Little Girl by Blaise Langlois

The note, propped up against a plate of cookies, read: For Santa. No persuasion was required—St Nick had come to expect such delicacies. After washing down the treats with a...

Spam Christmas by W. Ed George sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)" alt="Spam Christmas by W. Ed George" class="motion-reduce" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="630" >

Spam Christmas by W. Ed George

Germans herald the Holy Child with breads, pickles and wurst. “Yummy,” decrees my mother-in-law from Dusseldorf each year; I call it “Spam Christmas.” She takes umbrage; injects politics, money, my...

Spam Christmas by W. Ed George

Germans herald the Holy Child with breads, pickles and wurst. “Yummy,” decrees my mother-in-law from Dusseldorf each year; I call it “Spam Christmas.” She takes umbrage; injects politics, money, my...