By Kenton Erwin It used to be simpler, this business of the dead helping the dead. For over a thousand years the washer-fairies, the Bean-Nighe, emerged from mist and gathered by some frigid Scottish stream or lake, at night. Into their hands appeared the clothes of the good souls about to die. Rubbing the soiled … Continue reading Benicia
A Staging of the World
By Kaleb M Dufel PROLOGUE Even so in those older days, there was naught but the Script. The Script brought forth Life and the World1. The Script is the firmament upon which the Stage rests. All that is here is here because of the Script and nothing would be here without it. In the Script … Continue reading A Staging of the World
The Stranger in My Home
By Kelly Flanagan A low angry voice rumbled from the living room as Eve stooped to move clothes from the washer to the dryer. “You’re a naughty, nasty little boy.” She dropped the wet clothes on the floor before rushing out of the laundry room and through the kitchen. Eve’s mom had her bony hands … Continue reading The Stranger in My Home
Le Chat Noir
By Emily Gennis It was the kind of night that creeps up on soft, silent paws, and has its claws in you before you even know it's there. I was in my usual spot on the windowsill, watching a squirrel bury its loot and muttering all the things I’d do to it if I ever … Continue reading Le Chat Noir
Sunset at the Red Arrow Grille
By Joseph Carrabis Angie watched the old couple take booth 7. They sat on either side of the table, reached across and held hands. She sized them up quickly and smiled: dressed for Fall weather in old, well-worn, but clean clothes. Probably limited income, just got their checks. This is their big time out this … Continue reading Sunset at the Red Arrow Grille
The Bandit
By Fred Klein A rider came through the nightly mist up the deer path to the hillside campsite. An armed guard challenged the rider. “Stop, who are you?” “I am Miquel from Anaheim. I seek the great bandit, Pedro Ortez,” said Miquel. The guard replied, “Why do you seek him?” “I have a message from … Continue reading The Bandit
Silence Is Golden
By Steven Bays George was on his way home after a night out with his friends. It was late and since it was a weeknight, he would pay for it in the morning. His alarm would go off on time regardless of when he went to bed. George, in his early twenties, still lived with … Continue reading Silence Is Golden
The Soap Bubble Fairy
By Matias Travieso-Diaz We are blown upon the world; we float buoyantly upon the summer air a little while, complacently showing off our grace of form and our dainty iridescent colors; then we vanish with a little puff, leaving nothing behind but a memory-and sometimes not even that. Mark Twain Elisa was only five when … Continue reading The Soap Bubble Fairy
Me and Myself
By Amir Natan I was sitting alone in the movie theater, enduring yet another one of those quality boring movies that only two other odd people and I came to watch. He arrived late and sat right beside me—another weirdo. Just my luck. Not in the mood for small talk with random people seeking relief … Continue reading Me and Myself
Chasing the win
By Louisa Prince Just another twenty dollars, then I’ll quit. Neon signs glowed and flickered in the dimly lit room. Mark had been there for hours with his bulky frame hunched on the stool, eyes focused on the screen in front and hand hovering over flashing buttons on the keypad. It seemed like a good … Continue reading Chasing the win
Academy of the Heart And Mind 