Piker Press — Weekly Journal of Arts and Literature
March 16, 2026

Short Fiction

Short stories published in Piker Press, a weekly journal of arts and literature.

1,823 articles — page 27 of 61


Castaways by Tyler Willson

If you were marooned on an inaccessible island with just one person, who would that person be? Think again -- would you really want to risk spending the rest of your life with that one?

Twins by Frederick Foote

So different, so far apart, and yet so much the same...

Something I Forgot by Dan Mulhollen

Was it this? ... No, that's fine. Was it that? ... No, no, that couldn't be it. Didn't I take care of those yesterday? Of course I did ... but ...

Aunt Brook's Less-than-grand Announcement by Terry Petersen

Baby listens to his aunt brag to his mommy, but Mommy has finally had enough...

Object, Flying, Unidentified by Sand Pilarski

What could be more profitable than a catchy line of merchandise and a UFO convention?

What Time Is It Again? by Lydia Manx

A daring rescue back through time! A bear chasing a bare woman! How can people not be shocked by that?

Winter Interlude by Frederick Foote mature content

In the end, you're never really alone...

Laces by Barbara Link

With circumstance stacked higher than you can see over, how can you ever find your way?

Sarah by Beate Sigriddaughter

So many terrible things we could avoid if we could only see the future -- or see clearly into another person's heart...

No Ordinary December Day by Terry Petersen

Kim seems to be anti-social. She isn't. She is using all her energy to hold on...

Leaving by Barbara Link

Award-winning California author and poet, Barbara Link, has had three stories aired on KVPR, a National Public Radio Affiliate. Her poetry and fiction have appeared in numerous literary magazines and small presses. She also received the Sacramento State University Bazzanella Prize for fiction.

Elysian Options by Frederick Foote

It's always good to plan ahead...

The Last Winter by Gary Durbin

Gary Durbin is a retired serial entrepreneur having founded four software companies. He now writes, hikes, and advises startup companies.

Get Political: Secret Strengths by Sand Pilarski

He was her helpmate, her support, and her secret. And no one knew, especially not the constituents.

Them Blues by Frederick Foote

They get into your head, into your blood, and nothing can take them away...

Henny and Lloyd's First Case by John Paulits

Ambition -- check. Analytical mind -- check. Determination -- check. Whiskey -- yeah, that, too. Now all they need is the case...

Callie, Meet Callie by Terry Petersen

Her life is made up of broken puzzle pieces. But she had a life, and she will remember it...

Instances by Frederick Foote mature content

A rare look from within a lost mind...

Vector by Frederick Foote mature content

Who was the first one? And who -- or what -- will be the last?

Piracy of the Last Frontier by Lydia Manx

A hacked computer has to be reformatted here. A server has to be taken offline there. People are accustomed to piracy...at least they thing so...

Bad Angel by Julie Howard

All things happen for a reason...

Eclipse by Beate Sigriddaughter

Beate Sigriddaughter lives and writes in New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment, USA. Her work has received four Pushcart Prize nominations and won four poetry awards.

Drone Fishing by Jerry Guarino

Yep, this is how it happens...

Killer's Dilemma by Charles Chettiar

Charles Chettiar is an Engineer by circumstance and writer by choice, working in Mumbai. He started writing short stories when in college, and is working on his first novel.

Indian Pride by Jordan Ramsey

Jordan Ramsey is a Professional Writing student and Graduate Assistant in the Southeast Missouri State University Master's program. He graduated with an Undergraduate Degree in Creative Writing and English Literature from the University of Illinois in 2006. Since then, he has worked as an English Teacher for NOVA Group and Lanier Technical College and a copy editor for The Southern Illinoisan. Jordan plans to graduate from SEMO this May.

Dead Tree and Family Roots by Terry Petersen

Luanne sees a kinship between a dead tree in an abandoned cemetery and her past. She decides to forget what cannot be retrieved and enjoy Jeff, the new love in her life...

This Is the Way the World Ends by Fred Skolnik

It used to happen this way, it does happen this way, and when it comes, it will...

Intervue by Dan Mulhollen

Sometimes the best plan of action is to just be up front and genuine...

All Things Being Equal, Part Seven by Bernie Pilarski

Sometimes everything changes. Sometimes the world looks different. Michael struggles to salvage the relationship that has been torpedoed by Jessica's desire to return to religious practice, and he hopes that Jessica's son might be his ally, but change is never easy.

Waiting for a Change by Terry Petersen

While her husband fights long lines of traffic blocked by an accident, Helen meets her blocked past ...