Crystal N. Ramos Archives - Black Hare Press

Officer, It Was Just a Game

November 6, 2024/by Shawna Rowan

by Crystal N. Ramos

I didn’t do it. She was my daughter, officer. I was playing some kind of new VR game. Really immersive.

See, you run around stealing cars and stuff and try to evade the law. The game has this mechanic where you can pick up a prostitute, gain health, and then kill her to get your money back.

I was just playing a game… No, I don’t know the brand or where the headset is. You ripped it off my head when you tackled me, didn’t you? This blood? You must have smashed my nose or something… What do you mean it’s hers?

Crystal N. Ramos

Crystal N. Ramos lives with her husband and two children in Georgia, USA. She has won the Maggie Award for Excellence in Prepublished Romantic Fiction twice and has an MA in Professional Writing from Kennesaw State University. Some of her shorter work has appeared in Rescued Hearts: A Hidden Acres Anthology, Stygian Lepus Issue 5, and The Dr T. J. Eckleburg Review. In her imaginary spare time, she likes to knit, cross-stitch, and play Minecraft. You can find her on Facebook.

Facebook: @crystalnramos

A Father’s Son

May 26, 2024/by Shawna Rowan

by Crystal N. Ramos

His father always wore a locket, an oddity the son couldn’t help but notice. When asked, his father tucked it inside his shirt and said, “It keeps the demon form locked away.” Curiosity inflamed; the son waited until his father was sleeping to open it.

Fire burst out and consumed them. The son screamed as it seared his body and soul, his clawed demonic form bursting through the human skin he had unknowingly worn.

“Let’s go meet your grandfather, son,” the demon said and put a claw on the son’s shoulder as a portal opened before them.

Crystal N. Ramos

Crystal N. Ramos lives with her husband and two replacement units in Georgia. She has won the Maggie Award twice and has an MA in Professional Writing from Kennesaw State University. Some of her shorter work has appeared in Rescued Hearts: A Hidden Acres Anthology, Black Hare Press: Year Four, and The Dr T. J. Eckleburg Review. In her imaginary spare time, she likes to knit, cross-stitch, and play Minecraft. You can find her on

Facebook: @crystalnramos

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Officer, It Was Just a Game

I didn’t do it. She was my daughter, officer. I was playing some kind of new VR game. Really immersive.

See, you run around stealing cars and stuff and try to evade the law. The game has this mechanic where you can pick up a prostitute, gain health, and then kill her to get your money back.

I was just playing a game… No, I don’t know the brand or where the headset is. You ripped it off my head when you tackled me, didn’t you? This blood? You must have smashed my nose or something… What do you mean it’s hers?

A Father’s Son

His father always wore a locket, an oddity the son couldn’t help but notice. When asked, his father tucked it inside his shirt and said, “It keeps the demon form locked away.” Curiosity inflamed; the son waited until his father was sleeping to open it.

Fire burst out and consumed them. The son screamed as it seared his body and soul, his clawed demonic form bursting through the human skin he had unknowingly worn.

“Let’s go meet your grandfather, son,” the demon said and put a claw on the son’s shoulder as a portal opened before them.

YEAR FOUR

YEAR FIVE

YEAR SIX