Short Fiction

You can see it in their eyes -- that moment when the joy in the sky is no longer there ...

It takes only one wrong step to show you your mortality. And then, when you know your time is limited, it takes only one clear thought to make the world better for someone ...

There's a very good reason for that little "Danger" tag that says, "Do Not Overinflate..."

Only one man will survive and be rewarded great rank -- the rest will become creatures without hope or dreams ...

Michael Price received his BA in Theater from the University of Minnesota in 1980 and has been writing fiction, primarily as a source of self entertainment, ever since. He performed his own one-man one-act play at the 2011 Minnesota Fringe Festival to considerable critical acclaim, has had a number of his short stories published in 2012, and recently finished his first novel, "Serpentine."

Almost anyone who has ever suffered from insomnia knows that nothing good happens at three in the morning, but even reruns of "Gilligan's Island" are better than a kidnapping by malignant skeletons ...

Small children always crave attention. Most parents know and understand that. But there are others who know that, too ...

Lasagna, tacos, hot dogs, cherry pie -- all great, but Sid has one dietary requirement ...

A brutal, unthinkable murder -- what sort of heartless monster could commit such a crime?

You've met them before: those slimy power-mad lousy low-down good-for-nothing ... and you've worked for them too.

C.J. Arellano is a writer and filmmaker. During the day, he works as a video editor at the Second City comedy theatre in Chicago. Sift through his video and writing stuff at CJArellano.com.

Conclusion. Who is this woman Marie, who seems to know him? Surely it couldn't be -- no, surely not ...

Ward Webb is the author of numerous short stories and novellas. Originally from NC, he currently lives in NYC. When he is not reading, he is writing -- and when he is not writing, he will most likely be dead. Please do not send flowers.

It's time to close the coffin lid over his reprobate cousin, but will doing so open up memories that still turn Linc's stomach?

He was a homeless man of little means; no where to go, no friend to talk to or give him comfort -- save one... the best one...

That lying, drunken, irresponsible crook -- wouldn't you think that instead of weeping, the family would be saying, "Good riddance"?

He wasn't seeking fame or fortune, but he hoped that how he lived his life would stand up to his reflection in the eyes of his son ...

Death, the great equalizer -- only Linc hasn't the faintest desire to be equal to his hell-bound cousin ...

Love, they say conquers all. It is no respecter of persons, even those with super powers. It seems that a broken heart may be more dangerous than kryptonite ...

When the world ends, it won't be because of war or natural disaster. It will be because of one hapless stoner, just looking to get his next high.

Inexorable, inescapable, every fear that hides in the recesses of the mind ... one look around the corner away ...

No one can know what the future holds, though we can make some educated guesses. And the past ... that's out of our reach as well ...

Wow, someone got a hookah under the tree...

The Spirit of Christmas is found in the heart, and in a helping hand ...

When you have a large and convoluted family, maybe discretion is also the better part of interaction ...

Well, sure, they're built with taxpayer money, but who is it that really owns the road?

Here's a little something to think about when you're doing your Black Friday shopping ...

They were brought together to make the tough calls, to figure out the difficult solutions. It was their job. And when the job was done, they were paid according to their worth ...

The occasion was special, the drink delicious, the fire so welcoming ... but there was a stranger there, too, and something about him was frightening ...

The answer lies below in the darkness, pulsing with power and a grotesque secret. The only light Jack can take with him is the one he's seen all his life ...