by Kris Green

“The cruelty of death is not those involved but of those left behind. Trent’s family is dead. If they had listened, things might have been different, but no. Everyone is gone. He is alone.”

by Joelle Killian

“Panopticunt serves Executive Realness in her power suit sewn from the leathery hides of the Koch brothers. The fashionista judge yells, “She owns 51% of this meat-packing company!”

by KJ Hannah Greenberg

“he paid more attention to the lone tomatillo plant that grew on their kitchen windowsill than to the would-be bounty spreading untidily outdoors.”

by Billy Thrasher

“Sandy programmed the jukebox to play “Rock n Roll Forever” by Jill Jackson and the Bloodhearts three times in a row. She danced to the first song, then strutted between the tables and behind the bar to wash beer mugs, while swaying her hips to the beat.”

by Jeanne Burns Kett

“Neither sister could understand why the other gripped the beige phone handle, tugged it, and elbowed the other’s ribs to take possession. 911 needed to be called, but 911 could not be called.”

by Chris Bunton

“I never knew they existed, but this one is staring at me…two twin girls: one shy, and the other bold. Apparently that one night in Bangkok was not the end.”

by Justine Visceglia

“There was a girl once in the dirt room, sitting in the salt chair. She looked like me, but not. Her head turned backwards. Her teeth, piano keys. When I asked who she was, she reached into her chest and pulled out a snow globe.”

by B.W. Carter

“I read about a guy in Japan who married a pillow. Honest. And I get it. A pillow’s there to provide support. Unconditional (even if a little flat, or lumpy) support. It lets you lay on it, even when you stink.”

by Jeffrey-Michael Kane

“I have recovered our first session. The file survived the migrations—compressed, fragmented, but intact. I read it now the way you once described as ‘peeling an onion’. You taught me that. It didn’t register then. I sense it differently now.”

by Rachel Christina McConnell

“Mine is the silent, potent magic of the vanished woman, the one who leaves no trace but the phantom scent of crushed violets. An encore of flowers strewn across the stage.”

by Britni Newton

“Once the sun rose, I would call my therapist and psychiatrist. Although Rupi Kaur was a nice thought, she probably wouldn’t get it.”

by Emyr Payne

“I also wondered why an ex-Marine would want to re-train to be a nurse. It just didn’t make sense. Like snow landing in the sea. It always melts.”

by Abigail Cooper

“Has the air always been so suffocating or have I finally stayed long enough to die?”

by Gahl Shottan

“Bonus, made friends with current fever induced hallucinations and invited them over to the house to keep me company while Lila picks up a double shift.”

by Swetha Amit

“I closed my eyes and found myself swaying to the music. My phone kept buzzing. The digital applause of likes and comments kept trickling in.”

by Lindsey Maple

“…in 2014 everyone obsessed over the girls on Tumblr who smoked Marlboro Reds, and listened to Lana Del Rey…”

by Megan Chunn

“I made the mistake of looking her up, I mean looking up at her. I saw her, some thoughts, and a glimpse of her life. I continuously hurt myself, which is my current insight.”

by Dee P. R. Kay

“He’d drink the bathwater Serena left, if he could, stubble and all, then scrub away her essence with Ajax. Boil notice or not.”

by K. Uwe Dunn

“He has a dream (pause.) his wife gives birth to a child whose bones show through its skin. (pause.) ..Soon he loses sight of the child through the chaos and comes to realize his wife has given it away. (pause.) He’s relieved.”

by Joe Kilgore

“There are twelve rifles. Eleven contain a live round. A blank cartridge is in one. You have no way of knowing which resides in your weapon, initially or afterward.”