By John Thomas He literally bumped into her, his first love, in the public library. In a city of two million. What were the chances? After the obligatory updates about mates, parents, and rambunctious children (he had two, Emma one), she casually asked, “what are you doing now?” “I’m a writer,” he replied. “You wrote good letters,” she … Continue reading The Memory of You
End of Affection
By Kartika Lestari Harry’s heart felt like the earth after being hit by a meteor, shattered into pieces, nothing but a deep, empty hole. He gripped his wife Shanti’s hand, who sat beside him on the couch in their dining room. Since they made their way out of the hospital that afternoon, she had leaned … Continue reading End of Affection
The Bookshop That Forgot Names
By Farytude The door was hidden behind a soft bell of swaying grass. She had walked past the path many times, but never stepped inside. Today, though, was different. She decided to enter, searching for a book on grief – something for her aunt, who was going through the pain of losing her husband. It … Continue reading The Bookshop That Forgot Names
13 Days of Halloween: Thrice in One Sitting by Justin Alcala
“One witch can do more harm than a thousand common thieves,” Silas Fear-The-Lord Doddridge recited along the road to Pontybridge village. It was a dreadful afternoon in New England, but three facts rolled Silas out of his inn’s bed on this wet autumn day. First, as the Malleus Maleficarum stated, Those who deny the reality … Continue reading 13 Days of Halloween: Thrice in One Sitting by Justin Alcala
13 Days of Halloween: HiLee Frankenstein by Dylan Jack James
“HiLee Frankenstein” was previously published in Legacy Magazine under the title “What Scares You?” I was four years old when my father and mother first took me trick or treating down our little village street. It was a crisp cool Halloween night and the smell of cherry wood hung in the air from the only … Continue reading 13 Days of Halloween: HiLee Frankenstein by Dylan Jack James
The Billings Ransom
By Dalton Henderson “CRACK” “Don’t take ONE step closer!” The bullet sliced through the air above his head, a sound that had unfortunately become familiar. Luke Hendry ducked behind a wagon and rotated the cylinder of his revolver, half as a nervous assurance and half out of habit. “Name’s Luke Hendry—Sheriff of Kirwin. You know … Continue reading The Billings Ransom
Growing Pains
By Adn Mudassir Towards the end of my sophomore year of high school, my mother suggested I apply as a teaching assistant at the preschool where she worked. At first, I was unsure. My job hunt had started out of a desire to acquire some financial independence, and with it an opportunity for self-growth outside … Continue reading Growing Pains
This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race
By Mike DC Current From NPC: The Bard of Aztaeron Josh, Zelda, Rory, and Jackson didn’t feel like the Four Warriors of Prophecy. They felt like four baristas starting a LARP campaign. Their mood shifted when they ran past the Carbonwood City gate. They each got a notification: Leaving Carbonwood Safe Zone. Good luck! A … Continue reading This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race
The Pin
By Jill Smith “Sorry I’m late,” Gwen said as she kissed Charlie and dropped her work bag inside his apartment door. “You are perfectly on time,” Charlie said. Gwen dashed into the bathroom, smoothed her hair, and pinched her cheeks to get a little color in them. Note to self: bring a makeup bag to … Continue reading The Pin
Bats: An Upware Fable
By Andy Cogan The bats, that had hibernated all winter, behind a hole in the fascia, under the eaves, above buttressed brick wall of the Old School House in Upware, emerged in the early spring to a strange world that was silent. Silent when they rested during the heat of the day. Silent when they … Continue reading Bats: An Upware Fable
Academy of the Heart And Mind 