Seero

…faces an unusual crisis. It must respond to terrorist’s demands, or one of its allies will suffer crippling damage. Alternative actions have been considered but rejected as too dangerous or misguided. There is only one trusted person who might provide the needed wisdom and foresight to avoid this calamity. It wouldn’t be the first time that World Leaders have turned to this woman for…

By John Baldwin

Read More

The Redemption of Benny Gantz

What we intend doesn't ensure what we achieve.

————

…thought Benny Gantz was a Jew. Ya’ know, ‘cause of the name. If Benny had ever been a Jew, it must’a been a long time ago. Now he’s just a nickel & dime crook, the kind’a guy Chandler would’a called a street punk. Benny looked out for Benny. The only higher-power he respected was anybody…

By K. L. Shipley

Read More

Hypothermia

…prejudice, job discrimination on the basis of race!” Robert’s voice boomed as he shouted his complaint towards the waspish, angular man, essentially his boss. With a pinched expression, and wire-rimmed bifocals, Moorhead wore a tailored suit and polished shoes worth a few months mortgage. “It’s illegal and could get us sued and publicly…

By John Tavares

Read More

Long Winter's Nap

…getting colder every day. He didn’t really have any way of fighting the cold either. As it was, he was already wearing just about every piece of clothing he owned. The only things left in his army surplus backpack were a couple of t-shirts and one pair of socks. Of course there was the ratty sleeping bag too, but that was for nights, when it got really…

By B Hazy

Read More

It Don't Come Easy

…thumbed through his paperback book as the bus trundled across Salford. He tried to concentrate on the novel while also keeping an eye on where he was. He really didn’t want to miss his stop. He completed his journey, half in the real world, and half in the noir world of the gritty thriller he was engrossed in. As he read, ideas for stories of his own popped in his head, some were twists on the story…

By Chris Platt

Read More

Nightshade

…said from the desk. The night crew left the confetti on the floor from the day prior. Their inmate named Nightshade was let go. They threw him a party; the confetti was toilet paper bleeding with ink; many of them had fresh tattoos from their celebration. The night clerk reported the scene but the night crew let them have at it. Nightshade was a robust guy with wide…

By Candace Meredith

Read More

A Type of Coincidence

…hopped off the bus with a smile on his face. As the bus doors hissed shut behind him, he headed down the high street. There was nowhere like Manchester city centre. He could spend hours mooching around the city. He particularly enjoyed the area known as the Northern Quarter. The streets had a buzz all of their own. The Northern Quarter had an old-fashioned yet…

By Chris Platt

Read More