By Debbie Robertson “Mom, I’m home.” Luz clicked shut the heavy oak door and gently dropped her faux fur backpack on the bench nearby. A stack of mail, as usual, was piled on the table in the hall, but there was something in it that caught her eye: something pink. Her hands grabbed at the … Continue reading Into the Light
Stay Put
By Akinkuolie Steve The harmattan wind roared through the village of Omoloro, dragging with it a shroud of dust that veiled the sun and set men coughing into their elbows. Women crouched low over their mortar and pestle, pounding yam with a rhythm older than memory, their faces lined not just with age but with … Continue reading Stay Put
aren’t you cold?
By Jade Metrillo When Won’s brother calls to ask how he’s doing, he says he’s doing good. He talks about getting new glasses and contacts, about the stray cats in his neighborhood he sees on his walks, and the rains they’ve been having lately. He doesn’t tell him about the reason why he needed new … Continue reading aren’t you cold?
A Library’s Secrets
By Mattie Brown It was just another quiet night for Sam, the night guard at the Alderbrook Public Library. This being only his fourth day on the job, he is starting to become familiar with the twitching broken screen of the security camera computer and the eerie silence of the empty library. The only noise … Continue reading A Library’s Secrets
Strong at the broken places
By Matt Eidson When sleeping in WalMart parking lots got old, I started parking between semis at gas stations. Then one night a trucker with a beer belly and a MAGA hat knocked on my driver side window for five minutes straight. I quietly rolled out of the bunk in the back of the van, … Continue reading Strong at the broken places
Getting Better
By Sophia Williams “Good morning, Via.” “Good morning, Doctor Molloy.” “So, Via, how are you feeling today?” “I’m feeling the same as yesterday, and the same as the day before that, and the day before that. It’s always the same feeling every day—it never changes.” “Okay, I hear you. And how does that make you … Continue reading Getting Better
Spring Contest Fiction Winner: “Solar Life” by Gail Brown
Sunlight peeked over the horizon. Elanora pushed the woven grass curtain back. No need to call Traden or Shadel from onvine chatting with distant friends. The weather forecast for today was bright sunshine for a full eight hours. She tapped her final vine mail of the night. The vine quivered as the message shifted off … Continue reading Spring Contest Fiction Winner: “Solar Life” by Gail Brown
Him
By Zary Fekete Previously published in Bright Flash Literary Review. He came from nothing. His parents were dead. He grew up on the streets. Now a young man, he stood on the corner day after day, begging. Though he was grimy, he had a fine head of hair and bright eyes. He whispered words of … Continue reading Him
Is Anyone Out There?
By T.W. Crone The boy knocked on the apartment door in the dirty hallway. He wore an orange elementary school hoodie with an owl face on the front. The owl had glasses, which made it look intelligent. He ran his hand through his hair, looked at the peephole, and smiled as slippered feet shuffled inside. … Continue reading Is Anyone Out There?
The Blue on her Skates
By Jahnavi Fernandes Beatrice bolted out of the arena, shock and fury engulfing her body. She felt her fingertips turn into cobalt as she stopped to rest, turning strictly away from the blue-eyed boy who had just watched her leave. It was a moment of pure panic, but a satisfying result: she could win. Stumbling … Continue reading The Blue on her Skates
Academy of the Heart And Mind 