Adults

Untitled by Natania Birnbaum (a Short Story Contest entry)

The universe desired to know what became of the world it had given to humanity, so it took the shape of a mortal and walked upon the earth.

A rose, vivid as a nebula, caught the universe’s eye. In its excitement, it forgot that its mortal form could be injured, and pricked its finger on a thorn. A droplet of blood fell from the wound.

Lightyears away, a single star vanished.

A Fun Day by Neal Stoffers (a Short Story Contest entry)

It had been a fun day; half days often were. No math today, just a word game. She had finally beaten Jamie. But the ride home was strange. A lot of moms at the bus stops. We’re ten now, no need. Looking ahead, she saw her mom waiting with her brother. Not even in first grade had that happened. As she stepped off the bus, she heard her brother ask, “ Where is Uvalde?”

Devastated by Brandon Murphy (a Short Story Contest entry)

The boy looked down as he ran, wary of tripping on the uneven ground. Hurried yells echoed off the nearby walls. Various things fell from the sky and landed all around. The cacophony of raised voices were drowned out by a clatter of wreckages. The boy flinched to protect his head. His pace slowed as he gasped for air. He turned and saw a city that he no longer recognized. Pompeii was ash.

The Gunman by Alice H. Brown (a Short Story Contest entry)

“Do you think he really means it?”

“Yes,” she texted back.

The twins hid under a covered display table. A gunman had quietly slipped into their classroom locking the door. He ordered everyone against the windowed wall. Then he just stood there pointing the rifle. Minutes ticked away.

Finally, he said, “It’s too much.”

There was a loud blast. Screams. The gunman collapsed. Blood splattered onto the display cloth. All wemt eerily quiet.

Ronin's Wallet by Alan M (a Short Story Contest entry)

A bloody wallet lays on the banks of the river. A praying mantis takes something out of the wallet and dances, swaying, like a pendulum. Flashback 3 days ago; a lone Ronin walks into the post office to mail a letter to his love. For refusing to step on a tile of Christ his letter of love remains forever unsent...

What the Nanny Said by Nickie Shah (a Short Story Contest entry) 

I rise early in our weather-beaten house on Cranbury Road, listen to a blackbird sing. We had moved in last week and are finally unpacked. My daughter sleepily rambles in, asks if I believe in ghosts. Of course not I reply. She insists that ghosts are real. She is five. The nanny told me our house is haunted, she adds. I don’t know what to say. We do not have a nanny.

Untitled by Barbara Keegan (a Short Story Contest entry) 

They send cards and texts and messages on Facebook. I know they are thinking of me. But we don't talk. We just exchange written pleasantries. This way of communicating is strange; yes, it is nice to be remembered, but it leaves me feeling hollow. 

Sometimes I think I have a lot of friends. But then I realize....I just know a lot of people.

Creek by Veronica Sudia (a Short Story Contest entry) 

With my knees in the icy creek, I put my hand to the back of my head, finding it sticky with blood.

My sister was running towards me when I realized something wasn’t right. If she had thrown the rock that had knocked me down, how could she be coming this way? 

When I looked down, I saw two jacketed arms and two very large hands grabbing me from behind.