The Metro
By Richard Schreck Clinging to the nearest seat back for support, Marta Novak stood in the crowded aisle as the metro train descended below street level. Strangers’ bodies pressed in. … Continue Reading The Metro
Three Minutes
By Allyson Petrek The instruction pamphlet says to dip the stick in for five seconds. Then, wait three minutes, no more than five. Because if you didn’t time things correctly, … Continue Reading Three Minutes
A Song of the Forgotten
B By W. M. Pienton “This the picture you talked about?” Pierce held an old black and white photo. It was weathered, dogeared, and creased down the middle. … Continue Reading A Song of the Forgotten
The Last Minute
by Matthew Spence She moved through her days as though the world were made of fog. Walls shimmered, the floor seemed to sway beneath her steps, and time whispered in … Continue Reading The Last Minute
Hanged by Clothesline
by Sam Roberts WINNER OF THE RIVER’S FALL 2025 HALLOWEEN BODY HORROR CONTEST Every night before sleep, the housewife kneels at the foot of the bed and prays for a … Continue Reading Hanged by Clothesline
Vivian, Beneath
by Anabelle Taff RUNNER-UP OF THE RIVER’S FALL 2025 HALLOWEEN BODY HORROR CONTEST Vivian, one of the paper girls on paper route number six, knicks one tan American Spirit from … Continue Reading Vivian, Beneath
To Build a Fire
By Marcus Wile Snow fell through the splayed branches of the ancient pines overhead as the coniferous boughs were already weighed down by the day’s snow. The evening was darkening … Continue Reading To Build a Fire
Of the Desert and my Soul
By Zac Holt WINNER OF THE RIVER’S SPRING 2025 FLASH FICTION CONTEST As I walked through the wide open desert, the blue skies grew dark with black clouds. There wasno … Continue Reading Of the Desert and my Soul
Sea Glass
Anabelle Taff RUNNER UP OF THE RIVER’S SPRING 2025 FLASH FICTION CONTEST “It has no value, sweetheart. Find something pretty,” Mom insists.Under the waves, it is shining up at me, … Continue Reading Sea Glass
Wednesday Cat Hunt
Kylee Walton RUNNER UP OF THE RIVER’S SPRING 2025 FLASH FICTION CONTEST By Author From what I have gathered, Wednesdays do not produce good art. More often than not on … Continue Reading Wednesday Cat Hunt
Angels on Seventh Avenue
By Mark Crimmins There was an intermittent thunderstorm, but we decided to run through the rain anyway. We ran up the Avenue of the Americas, crossed Fifty-Ninth, and entered the … Continue Reading Angels on Seventh Avenue
Lost Jobs, Lost Rings
By Simon Bittersea The day I lost my job, you lost your wedding ring. I tried not to see it as a sign. The job, I hated. So even though … Continue Reading Lost Jobs, Lost Rings
Gluttony
By E.P. Lande John invited me to visit him at his cottage on the Maine coast. We hadn’t seen one another in over 70 years, since we spent summers together … Continue Reading Gluttony
The Hook
By Erick Wilund The fish said to the hook, when I am old and swimming is an effort, when my fins are thin and transparent and my eyes are as … Continue Reading The Hook
Sweetest Goodbye
By Adèle Saint-Pierre Allô, bonjour “Allô, bonjour,” says the bird. Allô, bonjour!” say the others that have gathered around iton this bright, sunny last day of June. In a couple … Continue Reading Sweetest Goodbye
Mr. Launder
By Roberto Ontiveros When Lisa walked into room 207 to get away from her boss Tammy, she noticed a faint but obvious scent of what she thought must be aftershave. … Continue Reading Mr. Launder