Hate

by D Kershaw

  Website: www.vonniewinslowcrist.com

  The Apartment

  by Trisha Ridinger McKee

  Sam packed the last of the boxes into his car and set out toward the new place, relieved he had gotten out of his lease so easily.

  He had not seen the new place, but his friends boasted about the spacious rooms, large bay windows, and a spa-like bathroom.

  He was ecstatic his friends asked him to move in with them. He had never felt fully part of their group. But now they were going to be roommates.

  After thirty minutes, he arrived at the address given...and stared at the abandoned building with broken windows and no trespassing signs.

  TRISHA RIDINGER MCKEE resides in a small town in Pennsylvania where love has proven to be a problem. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in publications such as Tablet Magazine, The Oddville Press, Crab Fat Literary Magazine, Night to Dawn Magazine, Deep Fried Horror, 4 Star Stories, and more.

  Sweetheart

  by Nicola Currie

  If he calls me sweetheart one more time...

  My boss likes to touch my leg. It’s usually a brief squeeze, accompanied by some form of patronising faux reassurance. Today, throughout the corporate lunch, his hand lingers beneath the table.

  We are the last two seated as the others return to the boardroom. He moves his hand higher. My steak knife glints.

  I don’t even mind the blade passing through his hand, nicking my thigh. All I see is his wide-eyed shock, hear his high-pitched scream. I remove the knife and plunge it into his leg.

  “There, there, sweetheart. Don’t fret.”

  NICOLA CURRIE is from Cambridge, UK where she works in educational publishing. She has published poetry in literary magazines, including Mslexia and Sarasvati, and short stories in various anthologies. She has also completed her first novel, which was longlisted for the Bath Children’s Novel Award.

  Website: writeitandweep.home.blog

  On Reflection

  by Maxine Churchman

  I see her looking at me. Always staring, mocking my every word and the way I look. She’s no great shakes; fat and spotty with lank listless hair. I hate her so much. Not just because of the way she looks but also because of how she makes me feel, because of what I see behind her eyes; the loathing, the vindictiveness, and above all, the pity. I can’t stand her pity.

  I punch her as hard as I can; right on her big spotty nose. The mirror shatters and my knuckles bleed. I should feel better, but I don’t.

  MAXINE CHURCHMAN lives in Essex UK and has recently started writing poetry and short stories to share. Her interests include learning to improve her writing, reading, knitting, walking and teaching yoga. She is also planning a novel.

  Monsters

  by Chris Bannor

  He thought he could stop the hate and show her the truth. Love saw no boundaries, knew no race, colour, or creed. It was all. She had grown up with a legacy of hate though, and he believed he could end her barbaric ways.

  He showed patience at her ignorance, understanding at her doubts. He loved and tried to fill the hollows of her heart that had only believed the worst.

  When she showed up with an Oak spike and tried to drive it through his heart, he knew better. Hate ended her life as surely as the wooden stake.

  CHRIS BANNOR is a science fiction and fantasy writer who lives in Southern California. Chris learned her love of genre stories from her mother at an early age and has never veered far from that path. She also enjoys musical theater and road trips with her family but is a general homebody otherwise.

  Facebook: chrisbannorauthor

  Website: ChrisBannor.com

  Bowline Vengeance

  by Michael Carter

  “Rabbit pops out of the hole, goes around a tree, under a root blocking the hole, around another tree, back down the hole.” Neil muttered the mnemonic while cinching the last bowline knot. The scaly appendages of the hostile intruder were now tied to the ticking bomb.

  He stepped back. The creature repeated in fragmented speech: “Rabbit...out hole, around...tree, under...root...down hole.”

  Neil attempted to move to safety, but something restrained him. He saw tentacles retract to the creature. His face turned pale when he noticed rope tied around his leg, as the final seconds ticked away.

  MICHAEL CARTER is a short fiction and creative nonfiction writer who grew up reading an odd combination of sci-fi and Louis L’Amour westerns. He’s also a lawyer, fly fisherman, and Space Camp alum.

  Website; www.michaelcarter.ink

  Twitter: mcmichaelcarter

  Unconditional

  by A.L. King

  I never understood that whole “You love your children unconditionally” crap. I loathed them as soon as they were born, when they ceased to be one with Eva. The crying, snotting, puking, pissing, and shitting! Only reason we had three was because she wanted them.

  They were vampires, except they didn’t drink blood. They sucked up our resources and stole our happiness. So when Eva left us, I had to slay them. Only, I used bullets instead of stakes.

  Eva doesn’t visit, but they do. Reborn as ghostly energy vampires, they come from the shadows of my cell to feast.

  A.L. KING is an author of horror, fantasy, science fiction, and poetry. As an avid fan of dark subjects from an early age, his first influences included R.L. Stine, Edgar Allan Poe, and Stephen King. Later stylistic inspirations came from foreign horror films and media, particularly Japanese. He is a graduate of West Liberty University, has dabbled in journalism, and is actively involved in his community. Although his creativity leans toward darker genres, he has even written a children’s book titled “Leif’s First Fall.” He was raised in the town of Sistersville, West Virginia, which he still proudly calls home.

  Helping Hand

  by G. Allen Wilbanks

  “I think I’m going to die,” said Paula. She turned toward the toilet again. Her back arched and her stomach clenched as she wretched and ejected a thin stream of yellow-green bile into the bowl. She spat the bitter fluid from her mouth.

  Archie did not comment, he merely held her long, auburn hair away from her face and gently rubbed her back. Paula smiled weakly at him.

  “You’re being really nice to me right now. Thank you.”

  “Not a problem,” said Archie. “I figured it’s the least I could do, especially since I’m the one who poisoned your food.”

  G. ALLEN WILBANKS is a member of the Horror Writers Association (HWA) and has published over 100 short stories in various magazines and on-line venues. He is the author of two short story collections, and the novel, When Darkness Comes.

  Website: www.gallenwilbanks.com

  Blog: DeepDarkThoughts.com

  A Victim of Love

  by Ann Christine Tabaka

  Ever since Janet first met James, she felt like a victim. James came out of nowhere, like a speeding car. His love was like a blinding light; it froze Janet in her tracks. She stood her ground, doe-eyed and afraid to believe that James was real. He came at her full speed ahead and ran her over with his adoring ways. His sugary words and dazzling gifts disguised his true intentions.

  Janet wasn’t prepared, she didn’t stand a chance. She was willing victim, an accident of James’s deceiving charm. Now she limps away, trying to find her true self again.

  ANN CHRISTINE TABAKA was nominated for the 2017 Pushcart Prize in Poetry, has been internationally published, and won poetry awards from numerous publications. She is the author of 9 poetry books. Christine lives in Delaware, USA. She loves gardening and cooking. Chris lives with her husband and two cats. Her most recent credits are: Burningword Literary Journal; Ethos Literary Journal, North of Oxford, Pomona Valley Review, Page & Spine, West Texas Literary Review, The Hungry Chimera, Sheila-Na-Gig, Pangolin Review, Foliate Oak Review, Better Than Starbucks!, The Write Launch, The Stray Branch, The McKinley Review, Fourth & Sycamore.

  The Mummy of the Marsh

  by Matthew M. Monteli
one

  The mummy stood knee-deep in the marsh. Muddy water dripped from his decaying flesh. He had been jolted from his long watery sleep by the fateful shriek of one of his children. He felt pure hatred.

  With all of his power, the mummy summoned his nearby babies. They came in droves, slithering across the wet ground and into the reed-covered waters, oscillating around their master’s bandaged legs.

  They whispered to him the name of the man who killed their sister.

  The mummy let out an agonised groan and left the brackish marshland. He made his way towards the doomed murderer.

  MATTHEW M. MONTELIONE is a horror writer and American Revolution historian born and raised on Long Island in New York. His work has been published in many titles, including MONSTERS: A Horror Microfiction Anthology, Quoth the Raven: A Contemporary Reimagining of the Works of Edgar Allan Poe, Thuggish Itch: Devilish, WHAT IF?: History Rewritten, Long Island History Journal, and Journal of the American Revolution. Matthew lives with his wife in New York.

  Website: maybeevils.com

  Facebook: maybeevils

  Merciless

  by Zoey Xolton

  The Serpent King held the kidnapped princess in a vice-like grip, a gleaming dagger at her throat.

  “Release Elariel, and I will end your life with mercy,” promised Vorthax, the princess’ First Knight, and protector.

  The Serpent King laughed, his body quaking. His hand slipped, nicking the princess’ pale flesh, and she whimpered.

  Vorthax saw red. Faster than the eye could follow, he threw a small, perfectly weighted knife. It sliced through the air, embedding itself hilt-deep in the Serpent King’s eye socket. He fell.

  Elariel turned to find her sworn enemy dead.

  “That was more mercy than he deserved.”

  ZOEY XOLTON is an Australian Speculative Fiction writer, primarily of Dark Fantasy, Paranormal Romance and Horror. She is also a proud mother of two and is married to her soul mate. Outside of her family, writing is her greatest passion. She is especially fond of short fiction and is working on releasing her own themed collections in future.

  Website: www.zoeyxolton.com

  Laying the Blame

  by Annie Percik

  She took my teddy. And all she does is lie there and cry. Why should she get to have a teddy? She’s drooled all over his fur, too. Now he’ll never be the same. She doesn’t deserve a teddy of her own. I was here first and she’s already taken all of Mummy’s attention. It’s not fair that she should get my teddy too. That’s why I’m going to shut her up once and for all. If she stops crying, maybe Mummy will stop giving her things. All I need is a few minutes alone with her, and a pillow.

  ANNIE PERCIK lives in London with her husband, Dave, where she is revising her first novel whilst working as a University Complaints Officer. She writes a blog about writing and posts short fiction on her website, which is also where all her current publications are listed. She also publishes a photo-story blog, recording the adventures of her teddy—he is much more popular online than she is. She likes to run away from zombies in her spare time.

  Website: www.alobear.co.uk

  Blog: aloysius-bear.dreamwidth.org/

  A Life of Hate

  by Nerisha Kemraj

  When you find yourself backed into a corner,

  and all the angry tears have crusted,

  blinding you,

  when the embers of the burning fire fuelling

  your contempt

  has died down,

  when the ink that writes your turmoil,

  drips bloody tears from your sword of fury,

  when your thirst for vengeance

  has been quenched...

  Then,

  you realise

  that all that’s left is hate.

  Pure hate,

  abandoned by the emotions that drove you

  to your downfall,

  the hate

  that eventually consumes you

  into nothingness.

  And then you find

  there’s no one left

  to witness your demise,

  because

  you pushed them all away.

  Nerisha Kemraj resides in Durban, South Africa with her husband and two mischievous daughters. Writing since 2017, she has had over 100 short stories and poems published in various publications, both print and online. She has also received an Honourable Mention Award for her tanka in the Fujisan Taisho 2019 Tanka Contest. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication Science, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from University of South Africa.

  Amazon: amazon.com/author/nerisha_kemraj

  Facebook: Nerishakemrajwriter

  Her Face

  by Dermott O’Malley

  Every man, woman and child wears her face like a mask. Clouds in the sky and coffee stains on my clothes take her shape. I go to work, building stairs and cutting in doors, and every unfinished piece of pine or cedar where knots in the wood come close to a line, I see her there, too. I stare into the eyes of the wood as I saw it in half; they are as lifeless as her eyes were that day. Hark! Louder! The saw deafens me, but nothing stops the swirls behind my eyelids from showing her to me.

  DERMOTT O’MALLEY is fascinated by the darker side of life, and his writing often follows suite. He is the author of Thread Count, originally published in Halloween Horror: Volume 1, and reprinted in the anthology, On Time. His second story, a novelette titled Memoirs of a Mute, was published in the anthology Lost Love. He has had other flash pieces and drabbles published in various forms and places.

  Twitter: @DermottOMalley

  Sweets for My Sweetheart

  by Raven Corinn Carluk

  Jason counted the orders while the chocolate melted. Three times as many as last Valentine’s, almost all requesting some sappy declaration of love.

  Including one to his beloved Samantha.

  This was finally the year to go full-bore. No playing around with mild irritants and tiny doses of salmonella. Jason would pull out all the best toxins for these shallow fools that thought one day of candy was enough to make up for the rest of the year.

  And for sweet Sammie? Arsenic in every bite. She had scorned him for another; Jason would save her from breaking any more hearts.

  RAVEN CORINN CARLUK writes dark fantasy, paranormal romance, and anything else that catches her interest. She’s authored five novels, where she explores themes of love and acceptance. Her shorter pieces, usually from her darker side, can be found in Black Hare Press anthologies, at Detritus Online, and through Alban Lake Publishers.

  Twitter: @ravencorinn

  Website: www.ravencorinncarluk.com

  Home Warfare

  by D.J. Elton

  Three girls were waiting for Andy as he turned the corner, whistling a tune.

  “Stop, Boy.” Cold words.

  A girl with long blonde hair stood in his path, holding a stick.

  Become a ninja.

  Andy dropped his schoolbag.

  “Leave it there,” one ordered. He felt nails dig into his clammy skin. Who are they? They look Angie’s age. Andy was seven.

  “You’re Angie Bate’s brother.”

  Freeze like a ninja.

  “We don’t like your sister.” Blondie’s face looks ugly, jealous.

  Thwack. A slap across his head.

  And another.

  Not fair. Andy passed out and they left him.

  Sometimes even ninjas lose.

  D.J. ELTON is a writer living in Melbourne’s west. As a child she came from England to Australia, on the last boat down the Suez Canal, where she underwent a sacrificial dunking ritual in the court of King Neptune, and has never looked back. She likes creating speculative micro fiction and short stories, as well as random essays. Her work has been published in several anthologies, and she has written a historical fantasy novella, ‘The Merlin Girl.’ When not playing with a pen, she likes most of all to go to the green country.

&
nbsp; Til Death Do Us Part

  by Nerisha Kemraj

  Erica jabbed the voodoo doll, savouring Mike’s pain.

  “Thought you could leave me just like that, did you?” She glared as he fell to the ground, grunting.

  “You must hate me now. But that’s ok.” She twisted the doll’s arm, causing Mike to writhe on the floor.

  Her laughter accompanied his screams as it rang through the house.

  “Sorry, I forgot to mention I was a darkling,” she said, stabbing the doll’s abdomen as red patterns stained the front of Mike’s shirt.

  “You’re sick,” he said through gritted teeth.

  “That’s better than being dead,” she said, lacerating the doll’s neck.

  NERISHA KEMRAJ resides in Durban, South Africa with her husband and two mischievous daughters. Writing since 2017, she has had over 100 short stories and poems published in various publications, both print and online. She has also received an Honourable Mention Award for her tanka in the Fujisan Taisho 2019 Tanka Contest. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication Science, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from University of South Africa.