I watched my copper mailbox dangle from the door of my bar through the blurs of my windshield wipers. The rubber gripped the glass, not a forgotten drop or streak. They were new. The car was new. The mailbox was rusted and tarnished.      It was Sunday, I’d just gotten out of one of those fancy Catholic Cathedrals I’d found in inner-city Moscow,  and as I trudged through the rain, I begged God that the mailbox be empty. I...

John held perfectly still as he leaned against the tree. The deer moved cautiously out of the trees onto the meadow. First, a doe with her fawn stepped out. Looking all around, walking sort of jerk, jerk, look. Finally, the rest followed, last of all came the buck. Still cautious, he stepped forward with authority, like when Dad came in for supper.Holding his breath, afraid anything might spook them john watched in wonder...

Mam and I have lived alone ever since Da died. I remember that day almost twenty five years ago as it were yesterday; there was a terrible storm and Da was outside fixing the tarpaulins covering the hay bales when a freak gust of wind uprooted the ancient oak tree beside the barn. Da was crushed under timbers from the barn and died a few hours later in hospital from his internal injuries. No one knew how old the oak tree...

Table for two Rise of the fallenSleeping off dreams that were stolenSanta late for work,Santa down and snoring.Everybody needs a break sometimes,A reality check sometimes. But the reality checks keep bouncing…..So I’m swallowing wrong pillsHoping this shit healsSometimes two wrongs can make a right,Like two thongs can make my night.So I sit here wondering if I’m able To pull the prettiest 10 in TennesseeAnd have her come...

                                                          SHOTS FIRED James Connolly never wanted to be a police officer. However, after receiving the final results of his G.O.A.T. evaluation the powers that be had made the decision for him, much to his dismay. The police sergeant had always found it funny that the government would at least wait a couple of days until after what was supposed to be a celebration of life be...

People have many different ways to find peaceWhen living is just becoming too hard to bear,For some it is in sleep, some have a special place,Others seek the company of lighthearted friends,Some settle down with a book, others meditate,And many spoil themselves with a favourite food.I have a special place where I like to escapeFor a few days whenever it is possible,Where there is such quietness and tranquilityThat my mind...

The murdered housekeeper and the missing wife“So I ran your victim’s identification and cards through the system, and I found some interesting things,” said Alec, who was the resident tech genius of the Spring View Police Force. He had seen  some  action in his short time on the force, but even he agreed that he was more of a hindrance than a help when out on the case. He much preferred to stay inside and toil away in the...

The Body“Keep it together, newbie,” hissed Todd Fletcher, staring at her with his steely gray gaze, telling her to hold it together and not to let the other officers see the horror or repulsion she felt at that moment as she looked over the body. Swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat, Imogen took a deep breath and tried to remain as calm as possible. This was her first proper case, and she didn’t want anyone t...

SETTING: Two policemen are chatting as the detective and his apprentice approach them. POLICE OFFICER 1: Here, quick, drink this coffee. You need to be sober when giving them your statement. CONSTABLE: (takes a huge gulp and shuts his eyes immediately.) Ah! This one is laced with whiskey you idiot! Shit, you made it worse. POLICE OFFICER 1: Sorry chief. Let me get you another- CONSTABLE: No, you have done enough, no scram...

I wake on my left side, shivering from the cold. I fumble for the comforter but come up empty-handed. Annoyed, I roll onto my back thinking I'll have to wrestle it from Ben, my blanket-stealing husband who likes to wrap himself in a cocoon. Instead of feeling his warm body, I find only space, as my hand drops to a cool, hard surface covered in what feels like small wood shavings.Confusion blurs my memory. Gradually, the v...

Chapter Six / Chapitre SixNot long after the girls walked into D'amieeh's hotel room, Brittney started pestering her about Larry."So, why I feel like there's a little more to the story of you "just so happened" running into Larry at the airport," blurted Brittney while shoving pieces of chocolate in her mouth."Britt, didn't we just get done eating, and you already eating candy," criticized Traci, flopping down on Dami's b...

  WEST ONE  They told him the badge would give away his affiliation, so he no longer wore it. Instead, Dennis Hsu had returned home in order to acquire a disguise; his civilian Vault 186 jumpsuit. V.S.P.F. jumpsuits bore a special insignia. On each arm, a golden police shield was stitched into the shoulder and in the center of that shield stitched in white were the numbers 186. It was a meeting that the police force wante...

Slow she walks, with her eyes closed, into the darkness. She doesn't need eyes to see, ears to hear or senses to sense, what dangers lie ahead. Here walks a focused girl, in a straight path, numb to distraction or the people around her.  Straight she walks, to her path of destiny, drawn to it like a magnet. She's a fragile juggernaut, but nothing can stop her. Like a fly attracted to a zapper, drawn to the light. She skip...

Long nails, polished Camera lens, spotless She is the darkest figure in the flashiest crowds Night time is her prime time But day time works just as fine Her prey unknowingly invite her in, just like a vampire She makes herself comfortable, in their empire Slowly she rises, and takes over the emperor She's a slow poison, but the hosts are addicted Most are in denial, few have admitted and fewer have been admitted She come...

MURDER SHE WORE When one goes on a date with death, one must know what to expect, how to behave and most importantly how to dress. Always dress to kill…. I don’t normally do this, but I put myself on trial, mentally. Where I try and justify my past actions. My conscience is the defendant, judged by idk, the bipolar/multiple personas in me. And usually, if I lose the case, I’m sentenced to punishment in the form of an emot...