Her screams cut through the night- desperate and terrified- begging for her father. Hiram couldn’t shake the memory or the haunting sound that rang through his head every night.

“Dad!” Myra struggled against the Enforcers holding her down, “Dad, help me!”

Hiram’s heart pounded against his ribs as he found his way through the crowd. Behind him, Roderick bit at his heels, hands stretched out to s...

No. Wait. It didn’t happen like that.

All I remember is a white light. Bright. Really bright. Like nothing I’d ever seen before. I put my hands out to shade me and protect me from the light. But that wasn’t enough. I had to close my eyes too. And even that wasn’t enough. I could still see the light through my closed eyes. It was reddish because I was seeing through my eyelids.

Then, t...

I remember her fear more than my pleads.

I’d never seen someone genuinely afraid of books. It was as if she thought the pages would give her a fatal illness.

“You don’t understand. Why aren’t you listening to me! You’re in this too. Help me. You have to!” I begged, my hands shaking.

She shook her head in disbelief. I just needed her to understand. I picked up one of the books that I’d had hidden...

“Do you remember that day we went to the park down by the old diner?”

“Yeah, why?”

“I was just… remembering.”

“Remembering what?”

“How pretty you looked in your dress, mostly.”

“Aw, Ry… You looked pretty nice in that shirt, too. It’s always nice to see you without all the sweaters and layers.”

“Didn’t I have a hoodie that day?”

“No, I don’t think so. It was hot, remember?”

“Hm. You’re righ...

_In a hazy, evening glow, his face slips in and out of focus. I know that face, and yet I don’t. There are no concrete features. I couldn’t tell you what color his eyes were, or how tall he is, or the shape of his face, but I knew him. Deep in my soul, I knew that face. As recognition sunk in, I felt my stomach drop. My hands became clammy, my heart rate picked up; my once slow, steady breath, cau...

The tears are streaming down her face as she’s driving. The rain is coming down heavily, obcoring her vision even more. Her words keep echoing in her ears.

“It was all a LIE!!” Sid threw down his shield badge and ID. “You’ve been working for shield this whole time! You lying sack of SHIT!”

Ron raised his hand in front of him. “Wait. Babe. I can explain.”

“Don’t call me that! SCHEIBe KOPF!! I ...

August Moon

I remember you

As you came to greet the sunset

Seems you were dressed in all red

Could see the shine in both your eyes

You spoke as if speaking to your own reflection

You gave a harsh word with a sharpish inflection

She cried into the night

Now I’ve got you in my sights

Just me and you

My august moon

Oh lovely moon, how I wish to hold you near me

And calm you of your anger

Let me ...

Sitting at the edge of that church pew, your right leg was bouncing up and down next to mine. I crossed my left leg over my right to contain my shaking, placing my folded hands on top for extra stability. I took deep breaths to steady my heart. ‘Should I ask?’ I wonder.

Before I get the chance to overthink it, my mouth opens on it’s own. “Are you nervous?” I ask, leaning forward and trying to pr...

He remembered her question; he couldn’t forget it. What’s the worst thing a woman could do to him? So many answers, so many directions he could take to answer.

It wasn’t like a man, who could beat or manipulate or get him arrested, who could kill him or burn his house down. Those were threats he could understand, for which he could prepare or defend himself.

With a woman it was completely differ...

Condensation ran down the hand, magnifying the words on the tap. Ryan watched it pool on the chipped wooden bar, rings permanently etched like carvings from too many thoughtless patrons who hadn't bothered using the coasters. At one point, Jerry, The Bar Next Door's owner, had stopped printing out the custom coasters, and just supplied whatever ones he could sneak away from other businesses.

Rya...