"Christmas Presence" By Andrew Paul Grell “It’s time, Nick. Are you up for it?” Josh assessed the old man’s visage. It wasn’t like the old days. Larger territory. Vast increase in audience. Security. Changes in entrance and exit protocols. Not that any of that mattered; it was Nick or nobody. “It’s been a while since … Continue reading Christmas Contest: 3rd Place Fiction
Christmas Contest: Fiction 2nd Place
"Christmas Yet to Come" By Len Saculla Peter 181 BM pressed his button nose hard against the polyglass window and gazed excitedly at the winter sky above the capital city. His maternal grandfather, Aaron 797 BM, gently squeezed the boy’s shoulder, grinned like he was still six years old, and asked, ‘Can you see Santa … Continue reading Christmas Contest: Fiction 2nd Place
Christmas Contest: Fiction 1st Place
A Christmas Gamble By Matt McGee Christmas is giving. It’s surprises. The unexpected. Maybe, some years, there can be just a little bit of magic thrown in. Some people need to be alone to feel that. Chris loves to lie in her room, lights off or at least dimmed down to little more than a … Continue reading Christmas Contest: Fiction 1st Place
A Christmas Gift
By Jessica Ricks The neighborhood was alive with Christmas lights as light flurries fell from the sky and Christmas music seemed to play everywhere I went, a constant reminder that this Christmas wasn't as merry as it usually was. Our house was decorated but under our usual tree, that was covered in lights, sparkling bulbs, … Continue reading A Christmas Gift
Halloween’s End
By Jessica Ricks Jacob, Chrissy, and Marcus made their way to the end of the long, winding street. It was getting late. Houses were starting to turn off their lights indicating that they were done giving out candy. The streets that were busy with kids, and some teenagers, going from door to door in their … Continue reading Halloween’s End
Thrice
By Thomas Page Everybody in town knew about the murders. You couldn’t walk down Washington Street without someone tapping you on the shoulder to confirm what they already knew. The Harrisons had lived in this little ordinary house on top of Rodham Hill about fifteen long steps away from their neighbors—the Tiffanys. Dan Tiffany was … Continue reading Thrice
THE EXPERIMENTALIST
By Marvel Pephel Abuja, Circa 3500 In a city in a country saddled with the task of meeting the technological needs of its inhabitants, rose a man with his invisibility. His name was Dr. Okoro. This discovery of his was a serendipity. Now, it will interest you to know what and … Continue reading THE EXPERIMENTALIST
Summer Contest Fiction 2nd Place
The Summer Moon By Debjani Mukherjee It is a warm summer evening. Mrinal is busy with her kitchen chores. Her hair is tied up in a untidy bun allowing few forelocks dangling on her round slim face with high cheekbones. Her tall thin body is wrapped with an emerald cotton night gown perfectly complementing her … Continue reading Summer Contest Fiction 2nd Place
Summer Contest Fiction 1st Place
Tree Lovers By Clynthia Burton Graham She loved me once and then once again. It was what I took from her that made me yearn for her, after my departures. What I took always confounded me, but the feeling of her kept me tethered. Inside the roar of waves, under the blistering sun, sitting at the … Continue reading Summer Contest Fiction 1st Place
Song of Songs
By Marvel Pephel Nneka is not dead, but she wishes she was. What she has just seen is unbearable. What life is doing to her, she thinks, is not fair. She wants to die, but she won't. She wishes she wasn't callous. *** Light rises on Chekwube, a young chubby girl with … Continue reading Song of Songs
Academy of the Heart And Mind 